Ontariofarmer
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2015
- Messages
- 5,255
Yall are a gloomy bunch of fellas today.
Alabama got thrown out there as a state that required TMA harnesses. Not true to my knowledge. They do specify that it has to be a full body harness, probably because TMA only certifies full body harnesses. TMA does this because people died using waist belts. If you're going to have slack in your system and a static tether, like most treestand hunters, a full body harness makes sense.
Acting like the TMA is a big, "cartel" is kinda silly. Sure, treestands are big compared to saddles. But the hunting industry is very, very small potatoes, and treestands are a very small piece of that pie. TMA is based out of Mississippi. That's your first hint it cant be all that. Summit is based out of Alabama. Small business. Cougar Claw Treestands is based out of Elberta, AL, which is a town you've never heard of. They build stands in their garage, and meet standards set by the TMA while doing so. TMA was a good thing when it came, imperfectly executed perhaps. But it looks like they're willing to change with the times, which is cool.
I think we'll be looking at Tethr'd and Trophyline (the biggest players) being available in box stores now. Saddles will become completely non-special, and the magic will be mostly gone. Good for some, sad for a few. I think the small guys will be fine. Doubtful that the standards will be unattainable for most. Some will get TMA approved, some won't. Won't make sense for small guys who are selling direct to consumer.
Curious to see what the standards look like. Doubt we'll see shoulder straps with Tethr'd and Trophyline having a little more muscle this time around.
Interesting point about full body harness and falls when many of us one stick
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