I never use a safety harness but I’m not getting any younger. Is there a safety harness that is not an absolute pain in the but and more dangerous than it’s worth climbing up tree steps through awkward trees? Thank you for any insight, this is only my second season, but I’m hooked. Adrenaline. Yes please. 8 days!!!!
Look at Muddy. They have multiple safety harnesses for climbing in and out of a stand. My brother has them 
I have an HSS and I wear it under my outer layer of clothing. I wear the leg loops high up on my thigh so I don’t notice it when climbing into awkward stand sets. With all the options out there today, there is no reason to not wear one. Good Luck this season!
I wear a Muddy harness. I put it on before I walk in, climb up and strap in. I’ve never used the tether system for getting in/out of trees so I can’t comment on how effective it is for that system.
I have a Gorrilla harness and every tree has a HSS safety line attached to it. I clip into the safety rope while on the ground. The knot on the line slides easily while climbing up and down. The climbing and the transition from steps to stand are when most people fall. Thats why I use the 30′ ropes.
I’ve never fallen, but I’m getting older and hopefully a little wiser, so safety takes a forefront in everything I do now. I love hunting, but I’m not dieing over it!
A sincere thank you for the replies. 
Every tree I climb into is different. I hang my stand myself in each tree immediately before I hunt depending on wind. I don’t have the luxury of hunting whenever I want. Is there a non pain in the butt way to stay relatively safe while all of this action is happening? I don’t know how that would be possible without a lot of time and tangle issues. Would love to hear of a way I can stay just as agile and mobile to kill without having to think about leaving 3 lil ones behind. 
Please don’t misinterpret last post. I would never choose hunting over my kids I am just searching for the smartest way to do this. I know the likelyhood of falling is very slim for me or I wouldn’t climb, but I’m sure no hunter ever plans on falling.
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…..I know the likelyhood of falling is very slim for me or I wouldn’t climb, but I’m sure no hunter ever plans on falling.
This mentality got a coworker of mine in a pretty rough situation. He said all season that he should get one until the day came that he was hanging a set and still hadn’t bought one. He fell out while locking his stand in and hooked the back of his knee on a tree step on the way down. Ripped up his knee pretty bad and he missed some hunting time because of it.
I know you said that you wouldn’t make the choice to leave your kids behind, but consciously neglecting to wear a harness is taking a risky chance that they won’t have you around in the future.
I will admit that I am still not perfect because I don’t have ropes all the way up. However, I now always tie off to the tree before I get in so that if the stand gives I will be secured. I am now hunting public land using a climber so I will be tied off for the whole ascent/descent. Whenever I get back to having lock on stands, I will have lineman’s ropes in each tree. Someone last year posted how to make them with rope from REI for about $20/ea instead of the $40-60 that most places charge.
Sorry if this seemed a little like a rant, but I know too many people who have been hurt in tree stands and ALL could have been prevented if a harness was worn. Stay safe and good luck this season!
Absolutely did not take it as a rant and I appreciate your insight and knowledge- and I will use it!!! Thank you for your time in posting. I needed that.
Neighbor kid hit the ground last week. Very, very lucky to get away with a banged up knee and some scrapes and bruises.
Always tell someone where you are going, always wear a harness and always (if possible) tether in from ground to stand. Call it like I see it. Play against the house and the house will eventually win.
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