OCT 1st

[phylodog]

Farmer cut the beans on our lease today. We'll be out there for opening weekend but most likely will be putting out some traps and maybe doing a little calling for the coyotes. I really don't have any desire to kill a buck opening weekend, that'll make it harder to justify the three weeks I plan to stay at the farm come Halloween.

 

[mrunnebo]

I've never hunted with a harness. As an ER doctor I should know better. I plan on getting one this year. Do you guys have any recommendations?

 

[mom45]

I've never hunted with a harness. As an ER doctor I should know better. I plan on getting one this year. Do you guys have any recommendations?

Don't go cheap and get one that is comfortable so you will use it. My husband was lucky. He only broke 7 ribs and ruptured his spleen. The guy that arrived at the ER before him, fractured his spine and ended up paralyzed.

 

[gunsisgood]

Stands up, been shooting everyday broadheads flying like a dart. Clothes washed now its just about the wait
Nothing better than 20ft up a tree, who else is ready?

I'm ready for you guys to get the heck off my river so I can catch some fish.

 

[mom45]

Do you have a brand you recommend?

I'm honestly not sure what brand we ended up getting and am not sure where he has it to even look.

 

[jerrob]

Hunter Safety System Harness (HSS) has a multitude of models and are very comfortable to wear in the stand all day.

 

[wildcatfan.62]

Seconds on the Hunters Saftey System harness. A little more expense very comfortable (helps so you'll wear it) and cheap insurance.

Was out today with little Wildcatfan for the youth weekend. He bagged his first deer a doe at 21 yards from one of our natural ground blinds we put in 3 weeks ago. Had a nice 6 pointer in the group but the doe presented the first shot and she would have busted us had he waited. I could almost see my sons heart pounding thru his shirt. I'll never forget this father/son experience. Will post a picture of him soon. I'm heading out on Oct. 1 -my fingers were itching this morning......

Good luck to everyone this year -be safe.
Wildcatfan.62

 

[sugarcreekbrass]

I also like HSS. I have the cheapest model they had several years back. Just bought my wife a bare bones version a couple of years ago. I like hers better b/c there isn't any vest material, just the harness. I wear mine under my hunting clothes so I don't care about pockets and other extras.

 

[mrunnebo]

Does anyone use a Gorilla Gear harness? My local Rural King sells them.

 

[bocefus78]

I use the vest style sold at menards...can't remember the brand. It's cheap, easy to put on in the dark, and comfortable.

 

[jerrob]

I like my harness under my outer layer as well. had a slit cut in the back of my coat, just a few inches below the collar to feed my lanyard through. I use those extra pockets on the harness to hold the XL hand warmers on the cold days.

I had a Gorilla harness before my HSS. It musta shrunk, one season it fit, the next season it didn't, probably a pasta related issue to be honest.
All joking aside, it was a great harness, just wanted something a little fancier.

 

[jerrob]

.

 

[mrunnebo]

I went with the Hunter Safety Bowhunter Harness. I have several stands I hunt in and would like to leave a tree strap in every stand. Where do you guys get your tree straps? How much are you paying for them. I have found some extras but it seems like they cast about $30 apiece. That is going to get rather expensive. Is there a cheaper alternative?

 

[jerrob]

A cheaper solution is to forget the tree straps all together since they're so cost prohibitive and get some rope and make prusik knots with a safety rope for each stand. These are great for hang on stands.
There are plenty of you tube vids that can explain it better than I can with a keyboard, and it's quite easy.

 

[sugarcreekbrass]

It seems like I have bought a 3 pack of tree belts from HSS for $30. I am thinking it was either from Cabela's or Gander Mountain.

 

[mainjet]

I used to use the HSS harness but last year I changed to a Black Diamond Vario speed harness (rock climbing harness) and I won't be going back.

 

[clfergus]

You can get a 3-pack of the quick connect tree straps with carabiner at gander for 49.99. I have a couple from the vests I have and they do go up quick and the built in carabiner is nice to clip into. I switched though to a lifeline style system. I clip in at the base of my stand and move the prusik knot up the tree as I climb. When I get to the top I am already strapped in and unpack and ready to go.

 

[mrunnebo]

Went with a Hunter Safety Harness and love it. I also found some synthetic camo rope at Rural King with a safe working limit of 250 pounds for way cheaper than the prefab life-lines. I just cut a couple feet off to make a prussic knot to clip onto.

 

[mainjet]

Went with a Hunter Safety Harness and love it. I also found some synthetic camo rope at Rural King with a safe working limit of 250 pounds for way cheaper than the prefab life-lines. I just cut a couple feet off to make a prussic knot to clip onto.

Be careful with your choice of rope for a safety line. I don't know anything about rope particularly but I know that you want static line as opposed to dynamic line. A man can put thousands of pounds of pressure on a line in a fall. Also, be careful about the typed of rope and the size of rope you use for your prussic line.

That's about all I can say based on my very limited knowledge of rope. That is why I use pre-made lines from a company with an insurance policy. If my line breaks in a fall then I want my lawyers talking to their lawyers rather than telling my lawyers that I made my own life line.

Glad to hear that you are using the lifelines though. The stories are starting to hit the papers of hunters falling from their stands now that hunting season has started.

 

[clfergus]

These are on sale at Dicks and if you have rewards points it would make them cheaper. I understand saving a few bucks but I would say that coming from the top company is the business these are probably tested to 4X what any of us weigh. My life and ability to work is worth 29 bucks.

Hunter Safety System HSS-Lifeline Safety Line | DICK'S Sporting Goods