Do as I say Not as I do!

[South MS Bowhunter]

Set out today to put in one more hunt, as our deer season is soon to close on the 15th. While out the last couple of times I had located a trail that connected between two green fields and there was a particular oak that was still showing some signs of activity.

So I set up my Lone Wolf climber at its base and judging by it girth and the girth of the tree where I was going to be at once climbed I new that it would be close to level or a little under. I hate to have my stand leaning down below level but sometimes the trees base dictates how tight you can adjust the straps.

Now here the part that I don’t want you to do that I did On a couple of occasion this year after being faced with this dilemmas I thought I could lower my seat real close to the platform and hook my heals over the edge of the platform base and while applying enough pressure undo one side of the locking latch and readjust for leveling. Well, it work and I went on hunting. Now understand I had a safety harness on and my confidence was the stand was tethered together with straps and the least that could happen was the lower unit slips and I pull it back up while sitting on that 9” x 15” or so seat Right?

Well the next time I needed to make adjustment I did likewise and it work again "no harm no foul”, so i’ve done this 4 or 5 times this year in situations where the base of the tree prevented me from making the adjustment that time.

Well today after getting the strap as tight and setup for the most level when at my desired height, I started my climb. This time I stopped at about the 10-12’ mark and lowered my seat and locked my heals under the edge of the base and undid one of the locking cams on the side when all of a sudden the base was hanging only by the straps and I was left sitting on that seat with my feet dangling Funny how a seat become so small, well, after a few minutes I was able to get her pulled back up and re-secured no easy task I might add working from a sitting position cocked over sideways from 12’ up!

Now in this case the strap stayed in the tube and I was able to secure the locking cam but if that strap had came all the way out...it would of been a different story here.

So here at the end of most states hunting season one more lesson on tree stand safety.

1. Alway use a safety harness
2. Never violate the manufactures warnings.
3. Never get complacent.
4. Never get caught up in the losing game of “I got by last time” There will be a time you lose!

[Bone]

I feel you brother! Only hunted from a tree couple of times this year finding out here lately the comfort from hunting ground blinds it puts a new perspective on bowhunting eye to eye!!!

[Tradman]

glad it turned out good for you,gotta be diligant with those safety harnesses.

[String Cutter]

I have done the same thing as you. But God protects heros and fools "me".lol Luckily mine never fell. But I have been in a rush with my Tree Lounge and forgot to attatch my bottem climber to my upper part. Finally was able to fish it up with a rope after 2 hrs. I will never make that mistake again. LOL

[South MS Bowhunter]

I hope to not "go back to the scene of the crime” as most guilty criminal do and this is where they get caught. A lesson is only really learned when a positive change takes place!