The new Hunters Safety System (HSS) commercial hits home why you should have some type of safety system when you are in a tree stand. Click below to watch the commercial.
When I started bow hunting again, I decided that I need to be safe when I was up a tree; especially, since I am the sole provider for my family. So I bought a HSS vest and I liked it. I strapped it around the tree once I had climbed up. I thought I was safe. Then I read an article about tree stand accidents and learned that most falls happen when climbing up or down from the stand. I thought about it and realized my safety solution was inadequate.
Then one day I saw a safety system where the hunter strapped to a rope at the base of the stand and then climbed the stand while pushing the safety system up as they climb. So I got on the Internet and found a knot tying Web site and figured out to produce such a system. I am going to show you what we use in our bow stands. One more thing to note; I figured this out before HSS started selling a complete solution for around $40. My way is a lot cheaper but you have to tie the knots and put it together yourself.
Here are the steps:
1. First thing you need is to cut the guide wire out of a good quality rope that has a safe working load of at least 300 pounds. I cut mine 18 to 19 foot long. My theory on length is to make it as high as your stand. Use a lighter to singe the ends of your cut rope and keep it from unraveling.
2. Next you need a strap to connect around the tree. If you do not have a tree strap, you can make a strap out of rope to connect to your guide rope or use a ratchet strapped to itself. All new tree stands come with a safety harness which includes a tree strap. So, if you have bought some new stands in the past few years, you have a tree strap already.
3. Now, tie the guide rope to a carabiner using a figure 8 knot. Photo from Real Knots
4. You can then connect the guide rope to your tree strap using the carabiner.
5. Finally, you will need to make a prussic knot. The prussic knot is attached to the guide rope where it travels up and down and your safety vest or belt is attached to it. Photo from Adventures to the Edge
6. Now all you need is some type of safety vest or harness to attach to it.
Shown below are pictures of this system installed on one of our bow stands.
Tied off at the base with the Prussic Knot showing.
Tree strap at the top
Here is video of me using it to get up to my stand.
No excuses. Make your own and be safe.