Safety Harness Question

[Lance]

I want to upgrade and I'm looking for some advice on a safety harness. I want go to one of the new 5 pt systems preferably a vest model so I don't have to fight with all the straps. What's every one used and liked??? ALSO, I've seen some ads for them where they say "only for use with climber or ladder stands", what's the difference if I use them with those or a hang-on stand? anyone know that one???

[chadwimc]

A climbing harness is similar to what a utility worker uses to shinny up a pole. Its use assumes you are moving up. Any fall would be arrested by friction between you and the surface(Road rash on the tender, inside part of your thigh:( )

I use a full body harness from MSA. Its bright red and blue, but then its under my jacket most times. I adjusted the leg straps for comfort, then duct taped the buckles in place. I sorta step into the leg holes when I'm putting it on. I did buy a new shock cord this year. It has pleats that unfold as you fall to help cushion the shock of that sudden stop at the end. It has a big loop snap on the end that helps me snap it on the steps as I go up the ladder. It was bright yellow. I hit it with some black spray paint to help blend it in with the tree. I have a plastic coated, braided wire, cable that I leave in the tree. I just hook up as soon as I get high enough to reach it.

As uncomfortable as a harness can be, it can't be as bad as a back brace or a full body cast...

[CritterGitter]

Good question Lance. I could use an upgrade as well. I use the old shoulder stap deal and I think I am going to invest in a vest harness for next year.

CG

[SP Scout]

Here is a link to all kinds of different harnesses at Cabela's.

Harnesses (http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/index/index-display.jsp?id=cat20053&navAction=jump&navCount=1&parentId=cat21424&parentType=category&cmCat=MainCatcat21424)

I have a full body harness and it tangles all to heck, dont wanna spend 50+ dollars on a vest one though to save 5 minutes each hunting trip. I have something like the Cabela's Clampack Full Body Harness. Only thing I dont like from it, aside from the untangling, is the straps that go around the legs go right over the pants pockets rendering the pockets useless. Drives me crazy that I cant get my hands in the pockets with the harness on but ohhh well, my life is worth it. I probably will get a vest in the future, but it would have to be one with pockets.

Good Luck making your decisions.

[Hoytme2]

I too recently was looking at purchasing a new harness and was confused as to the difference. I had a full body harness that came with my gorilla stand but it did not allow me to shoot to the right of my stand. This was do to the teather that attached to the tree. It was way too short. So I did purchase a new full body harness from cabelas.

http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/Pod/03/28/79/p032879sq02.jpg

[lung buster]

I bought the Hunters Safety System this year and I love it!!! It's on in less than 10 sec. and Im good to go. The best 100 bucks that I have ever spent!!!!! I could not decide between it or Summits Seat of the pants model. But i am happy with the H.S.S!! I highly recommend it!

[prduffy]

I'm using the standard harness that came with my Summit climbing stand.

I had a small mishap this year, and it worked like a charm.

As I was climbing up in the dark, I got a tough, but small branch between the cable and the tree trunk of the upper portion of the climber. When I put full weight on it to bring the lower portion up, the branch broke and the upper section "slipped" 2-3 inches before it grabbed again. However, I was on the rail, lifting my legs and went over the front bar.

I ended up horizonal, with the back of my knees on the front rail, being suspended by the harness. I climbed back into the stand and breathed hard for about 10 minutes. I hunted at 8 feet the rest of the day.

Harnesses work - and work well. If you have a waistbelt harness, get rid of it and get a full harness. None of them work if you don't wear 'em...

[huntingbigracks]

My Dad got me the "ProSeries Harness" that is in the shadded box in the Cabelas Link above. At first I was kind of skeptical because I have always just used a strap, but I actually really like the vest. It is comfortable and really easy to use and I now have more pockets. I sat for part of the day and then still hunted for a couple hours with it on. I also was afraid for the "boys" with those straps through the legs, but I suppose a little pain is better than not hunting anymore. I would say to spend the money and buy a good harness. You pay big bucks for a gun or bow and all the gear, why skimp on something that could very easily save your life.

I also heard that a man fell out of a treestand on Monday of gun season and he just had a strap on. I have heard that the strap got him around the neck and killed him. I don't know for sure, and hate to spread rumors, but that is terrible.

Safety First and Always.