Received this today:


While we are still screening the reports, we have had 45 hunting incidents with 23 involving tree stands. The majority of our tree stand accidents involve lock-on stands with the primary cause being broken straps. We will continue to stress the importance of checking your equipment on a regular basis which we hope will reduce this number. While we have always emphasized the need to conduct these inspections, repetition is what will eventually win out on reducing the overall impact.


Let me know if you need anything additional.


Lt. Larry W. Morrison

DNR Law Enforcement Division

Outdoor Education Section

402 W Washington St. Rm W255D

Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

The only hang on I will hunt out of is a millenium with the Chain. I use another ratchet strap to stabilize the bottom. Lifeline and full body harness all the way up and down the tree.

Good info. I'm skeptical of using anything that holds your weight with straps. My portable stands are the old chain-on type, and steps are one-piece screw-in. On public land you usually can't bore trees, so I stick with a climber.

Amen on the climber.... If you get one don't get the cheap model or brand!

It wasn't mentioned in the DNR note but there were no fatalities reported. One fatality that occurred turned out to be a heart attack in the stand not the fault of the equipment.

Jack

I personally find climbers to be the safest elevated hunting option, after ladder stands. I added third hand stabilizer straps and use the HsS tree rope so I can be tied in the entire time up and down with ease and feel very safe. I have replaced cables onece in 8 years on my summit titan and that's only because the shrink tubing was in such poor repair in its so cheap to do so every few years.