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This will probably be the most skipped over section of the whitetail 101 content onย 1st Rut.ย ย However, this is the most important section for treestand hunters.ย ย Returning to your friends and family in the same condition you left in should be everyoneโs goal.ย ย Every time without exception. Please take the time to read these tips on whitetail hunting treestand safety.
Grunt, Snort-Wheeze, and Rattle this to your buddies!
I will be the first to admit, that in my younger days I hunted without a safety harness. Looking back this was a terrible decision. I was lucky that nothing happened over those years, but I knew better and made a choice not to wear a harness. It was a choice and a poor one at that. Make the right choice and be safe from dirt to treestand.
There are numerous unnecessary accidents every year.ย ย Letโs look at some tips to stay safe. Whitetail hunting treestand safety is your responsibility 100% of the time.
1. Know Your Treestand โ Make sure your treestand and/or equipment is in good condition and well maintained.ย ย When in doubt, donโt use it.ย ย Take the time to read the ownerโs manual provided by the manufacturer (these can be found online if you donโt have it).ย ย
2. Maintain Your Treestand – Set aside a Saturday morning in the summer to check you treestands and fix any worn or broken parts.ย ย Check for any loose or missing fasteners (nuts, bolts etc.), along with reviewing the condition of straps.
3. Wear A Full Body Harness โ They are extremely effective at keeping you alive in the event of a fall.ย ย Read and understand manufacturerโs instructions prior to use.ย ย Keep in mind, these harnesses have an expiration date.ย ย Test the harness at ground level before ascending a tree.ย ย Never take a step off the ground without having your harness connected.
4. Check the Tree โ Prior to climbing a tree or setting up a ladder stand, be sure the tree is relatively straight and healthy.ย ย I hiked into a new area somewhat blind one morning in my younger days and started to climb a dead tree.ย ย I was more than a little frustrated in my blunder when I had to climb down and start the process over.
5. Avoid Smooth Barked Trees โ If using a climbing stand.ย ย I almost hesitated writing this as it seems obvious.ย ย One year during deer camp, we were talking over handheld radios during the mid-day when a friend who will remain anonymous was telling us how his climber was sliding on the โWhite-Oakโ tree he was in.ย ย The group at deer camp was sure we knew where he was hunting, and it wasnโt in a wood lot of โWhite-Oakโ trees but a wood lot of Sycamore trees.ย ย We have had many good laughs over the campfire at that story.
6. Use A Haul Line โ Never carry weapons or equipment up the treestand with you.ย ย Always leave equipment on the ground and haul up when you are securely on the platform.ย ย If using a firearm, make sure it is unloaded prior to retrieving from the ground!