Setting your stands now!

[safetreehunt]

Many of you are beginning to set your stands now for the coming season. As you do this it begins a new season of carnage from falls.

As you know, I promote climbing safety more than anything else in this forum and want you to be safe this year as you enjoy your favorite season.

Not sure how many times I have to go into this, but I really want you folks to understand how dangerous it is as you begin setting your stands.

Last year 5 folks died in Michigan from treestand falls. Countless others ended up in hospitals with paralysis or shattered limbs. Many huntin buddies followed their pals to the hospital as well.

Shattered lives, Lost seasons, enormous costs are just not worth it when you can do this safely.

Get on a line and be connected to the tree from the ground up.
Don't become a statistic this year!

[archerjustin]

Well put safetreehunt. Remember to change your straps every year as well. I had one rip on me last year because of dry rot. Fell 17' to the ground with nothing but a bruised hip and a bruised ego thank god. One fall like that and you realize how important safety is.

[InTheRiver]

YES SAFTY FIRST its still too soon for me though :D

[Skibum]

Well put and timely. I rode a ladder stand down 18 feet last fall. First fall in 35 years of bowhunting. Luckily I still have mad ninja skills and was able to tuck and roll the landing.

[Ninja]

Well put and timely. I rode a ladder stand down 18 feet last fall. First fall in 35 years of bowhunting. Luckily I still have mad ninja skills and was able to tuck and roll the landing.


Good job, Grasshoppa!!! :D

[Gobblerman]

Well said safetreehunt! I've hung 4 stands this year so far and I use my full body harness to keep me safe while hanging the stands. It's actually much easier to hang a stand with the harness on and attached to the tree.

Good Luck this fall to everyone, hunt safe and hunt hard!

[Banditto]

Well being an avid climbing stand user the only thing I can add is to double check your equipment. Like with my Summit stand, they recommend changing the cables every 2 years. We all know those cables would probably last longer than we will, but after 4 years I am changing mine this year.

[thebellman]

Just a friendly reminder to those of you who hunt state lands, so you don't have a negitive meeting with any Conservation Officers.


Michigan's regulations state: "In taking an animal, a person shall not do any of the following on publicly-owned lands:


Permanently construct or attach to a tree or other natural feature a scaffold, platform , ladder, steps or any other device to assist in climbing a tree. Also prohibited is the use of any item that penetrates the cambium (outer layer) of the tree for climbing purposes.

Use or occupy a scaffold, raised platform, ladder or step that has been permanently attached to any tree or other natural feature.

Nothing in this section shall prohibit a scaffold or platform temporarily attached to a tree by use of a T-bolt or similar device supplied by the manufacturer at the time the scaffold or platform was purchased.

Use or occupy a scaffold or raised platform without first putting on the scaffold or raised platform the name and address of the user in legible English. this identificaiton must be easily read from the ground.

Use, occupy or place a scaffold, raised platform, ladder, steps or any other device to assist in climbing a tree if the elevated structure is on public lands earlier than September 1 of each year or is not removed by the day following the last day of the latest open season for deer in that area.
Permanent tree stands are unlawful to construct on public lands.

If you fall from an elevated platform while hunting, please report your incident to the Michigan Department of natural Resources, Law Enforcement Division, P.O. Box 30031, Lansing, MI, 48909 or call 517-373-1230.