Trust issues

[Robert loper]

I would not focus 100% on saddle try both throughout the year and try both stand and saddle adapt to the situation snd use what works for where your at.
its just like using a hang on and sticks. I was super leary of straps ropes and mechanical pieces.
the things you need to be careful with, is these garage yankers making and modding equipment then selling it. Definitely need to know where your getting gear from.
too many guys out there are youtube university graduates of modding equipment and using just unsafe stuff to shave a few ounces
Practice practice practice my friend

 

[thedutchtouch]

I used some backups at the beginning of the season for the same reasons ( I know everything is rated well into the multiple thousands of lbs, it's a mental thing) and by the end of the season (just got home a hour or so ago) I'm down to the basics. Just keep at it and you'll get more comfortable. It's when you get too comfortable and start cutting corners when you have to worry- stuff like taking your LB off before clipping in to your tether etc are not advised but I'm sure you knew that already

 

[gumby]

Once you accept that if you should fall you'll probably cripple yourself or die alone at the base of the tree you'll find your inner peace and will be able to relax and enjoy living life on the edge. It helps if you make peace with your maker...

Yep, you gave him the confidence he was looking for.

 

[MattMan81]

Keep the slack out. Just remember it is a positioning device. Not a fall arrest system. Clip on at ground level and act like a 6 year old swinging around. Do everything you can to try and fall out. Do everything you can to simulate slipping off the platform, falling asleep, or what ever. Just remember keep the rope tight. Check out the pinned thread on Short static falls if you haven't.

 

[Mike Burch]

that one little bridge rope gets my attention. I know it's rated to 1000's pounds,,,but still..

Me too. I kept the linesman rope hooked up also at first. Lol

 

[poorcharlie]

Yep, you gave him the confidence he was looking for.

Lol

 

[poorcharlie]

Me too. I kept the linesman rope hooked up also at first. Lol

So right now I’m using a hss tree strap that I used with hang on stand as a gear strap/bow holder and a second tether and my linesman’s as a second bridge.

 

[Shakeandbake]

Tie in a back up system. most guys will tell you not to but do what makes you feel safe. I work from height for a living and I would never trust my life with only one line of fall defense.

 

[rutjr]

The only thing that scares me is the unknown. I used to look at my cables on my lock ons where they attach to the stand, you can't tell if they are going to let go. I could just picture myself sitting in my stand and the cable coming out and me having nothing under me.

My saddle equipment will hold a car up and the best thing is I can check everything for wear and have complete confidence in it. I guess the only thing that can screw up is me!

 

[Weldabeast]

I would not focus 100% on saddle try both throughout the year and try both stand and saddle adapt to the situation snd use what works for where your at.
its just like using a hang on and sticks. I was super leary of straps ropes and mechanical pieces.
the things you need to be careful with, is these garage yankers making and modding equipment then selling it. Definitely need to know where your getting gear from.
too many guys out there are youtube university graduates of modding equipment and using just unsafe stuff to shave a few ounces
Practice practice practice my friend

I really want to change my screen name to garage yanker.

 

[DMTJAGER]

Look at it like this
90%+ of hang on treestand are a fixed to a tree with a strap with a breaking strength FAR FAR below that of your tether or bridge I'm talking like best guess your tether or bridge are at LEAST 5x stronger than the straps that hold on your average strap on Hong on treestand and 10s of millions of hunters trust their physical well-being if not lives to what are 90% made in China treestands and their attachment straps
I have no problem trusting my life to made in USA equipment reted to hold anywhere from 10x to 20x what I weigh.

 

[poorcharlie]

Look at it like this
90%+ of hang on treestand are a fixed to a tree with a strap with a breaking strength FAR FAR below that of your tether or bridge I'm talking like best guess your tether or bridge are at LEAST 5x stronger than the straps that hold on your average strap on Hong on treestand and 10s of millions of hunters trust their physical well-being if not lives to what are 90% made in China treestands and their attachment straps
I have no problem trusting my life to made in USA equipment reted to hold anywhere from 10x to 20x what I weigh.

Good point

 

[DroptineKrazy]

I don't think they really trust the strap holding their tree stand on. Most people do wear a safety harness.

 

[MattMan81]

Don't have the numbers. But I would guess 99% of the accidents from a hunting elevation are user error. Fell because they weren't tied off. Stand was questionable but went up anyway. The few saddle Hunter falls I have read about on here, and from the wrong equipment or knots. Took a short cut, or rushed.
Take your time, stay 100% tied off, and your more likely to get hurt walking through the woods or driving somewhere to go hunt. IMO.

 

[poorcharlie]

Don't have the numbers. But I would guess 99% of the accidents from a hunting elevation are user error. Fell because they weren't tied off. Stand was questionable but went up anyway. The few saddle Hunter falls I have read about on here, and from the wrong equipment or knots. Took a short cut, or rushed.
Take your time, stay 100% tied off, and your more likely to get hurt walking through the woods or driving somewhere to go hunt. IMO.

I’m sure you are 100% correct.

 

[ofor]

Don't have the numbers. But I would guess 99% of the accidents from a hunting elevation are user error. Fell because they weren't tied off. Stand was questionable but went up anyway. The few saddle Hunter falls I have read about on here, and from the wrong equipment or knots. Took a short cut, or rushed.
Take your time, stay 100% tied off, and your more likely to get hurt walking through the woods or driving somewhere to go hunt. IMO.

Here are the stats based on some research I did before I switched to saddle hunting. The data is from a TSSA article published on Realtree.com on August 27, 2018.

10 Researched Facts About Treestand Falls You Should Know

Do You Take Treestand Safety Seriously?

www.realtree.com

Another great article was titled “What Statistics Say About Falling From a Treestand” written by Dave Samuel and published on August 20, 2018

What Statistics Say About Falling From a Treestand | Grand View Outdoors

If you haven't fallen from an elevated stands, the odds are good you're going to one day. And when you do, odds also say you'll be paralyzed — or worse.

www.grandviewoutdoors.com

I think a little discomfort is good. It is a constant reminder to inspect your gear and be methodical while setting up.

 

[gumby]

The only thing that scares me is the unknown. I used to look at my cables on my lock ons where they attach to the stand, you can't tell if they are going to let go. I could just picture myself sitting in my stand and the cable coming out and me having nothing under me.

My saddle equipment will hold a car up and the best thing is I can check everything for wear and have complete confidence in it. I guess the only thing that can screw up is me!

It seems that the cables on lock-on have gotten a lot smaller, i'm sure they are plenty strong enough but a little rust on a small cable goes a long way.

 

[Sticknstring]

Try one sticking by the time you get to hunting height and standing on your platform you'll have all the confidence needed to feel comfortable
Know your gear
Check your gear OFTEN

 

[raisins]

Look at it like this
90%+ of hang on treestand are a fixed to a tree with a strap with a breaking strength FAR FAR below that of your tether or bridge I'm talking like best guess your tether or bridge are at LEAST 5x stronger than the straps that hold on your average strap on Hong on treestand and 10s of millions of hunters trust their physical well-being if not lives to what are 90% made in China treestands and their attachment straps
I have no problem trusting my life to made in USA equipment reted to hold anywhere from 10x to 20x what I weigh.

True, but you should always have a safety tether as a back up to a hang on. I've never trusted my life to a hang on stand because I was always tethered stepping on, sitting, and stepping off.

 

[MattMan81]

I am pretty amazed at the percentage from ladder stands. Maybe it's a false security.