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I spend more of my boat time with a 7-7.5 foot rod than with any other. The fast action which allows me to detect those very light biters before they feel me is a real asset to my style of finesse fishing. Thanks for bringing these rods to our attention Dean…now I only wish my rod locker had more than 12 slots.
Rod Socks 
double them up lots of people do it (I haven’t tried it yet), not that I could afford 12 or more of these 
I have hunted most of my life out of a tree stand without a safety harness (very stupid…i know). Last year I had a strap break on a tree stand and i nearly fell but was saved by dumb luck. The very next day i picked up a gorilla safety harness and have been trying to use it every time i get into the stand. I will say it is cumbersome, and i wish the tether was longer. The biggest complaint i have, is that I cannot shoot behind the tree stand on the right side because the strap is in the way of my arm/face/string , i can get a shot about 45 degrees past but not directly behind the tree. This is annoying because in situations were i don’t have much cover i intentionally face the stand way from expected deer travel so that i can use the tree as cover. Has anyone else had this problem?? 
maybe the gorilla harnesses just have a really short tether?
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I have hunted most of my life out of a tree stand without a safety harness (very stupid…i know). Last year I had a strap break on a tree stand and i nearly fell but was saved by dumb luck. The very next day i picked up a gorilla safety harness and have been trying to use it every time i get into the stand. I will say it is cumbersome, and i wish the tether was longer. The biggest complaint i have, is that I cannot shoot behind the tree stand on the right side because the strap is in the way of my arm/face/string , i can get a shot about 45 degrees past but not directly behind the tree. This is annoying because in situations were i don’t have much cover i intentionally face the stand way from expected deer travel so that i can use the tree as cover. Has anyone else had this problem??
maybe the gorilla harnesses just have a really short tether?
Being 6’5″ I had the same problem with the tether being too short and causing me to have to move the strap around the tree up or down in order to stand up versus sitting. Then I blew a chance at a nice buck when he busted me adjusting the strap… The next day I bought some climbing rope and made an 18″ extension and have never had the issue again
i have a Hunter Safety System Harness and used it 2 times. The 2nd time I had it on was in Ripley 08′. I had a shooter coming in and the buckle by my left thigh “clanked” off the bottom cam of my bow and the buck looked up and pegged me. I ended up shooting and missed. 
I video taped the whole thing and if the arrow was .08 seconds earlier, the buck would’ve been mine. Instead a buddy of mine shot him about 20-25 mins later. 
From that point on, I haven’t used it again.
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From that point on, I haven’t used it again.
Hopefully you use something. Had a buddy sitting in his tree last year and the strap/cables broke and if he hadn’t been wearing a harness, it could have been pretty bad.
I too have a HSS harness and personally I won’t get into a stand w/o it. It is a cinch to put on in the dark. The one trick I use, is that I wear it under my outer layer of clothing. This prevents the buckles from clanging and banging on stands, ladders, bows, etc. I don’t have any issue with the tether being too short though, as I position the rope around the tree a little lower than recommended and therefore I have all the range of motion needed.
Stay safe all.
Safety Harness seems to always come up for discussion every season.
Lets consider this: I hope I don’t know any that when in the outdoor sports, doesn’t put safety first! Not 2nd, or 3rd, but 1st!
I’ve worked in the medical field since my lottery # was #25, and became a medic. Safety first>seat belts, helmets, treat every weapon as if it were loaded, etc; and for crying-out-loud, and safety harness for the tree-stand hunter. Anything is better than nothing. I’d always give up the shot for my safety and/or the safety of others, or better put, my life before the life of an animal, deer, bear, or whatever….
Just my .10$ worth…..
X2 What Flatfish said. I wear a Muddy Outdoors harness. Weighs only 1.9lbs and you really don’t even know you are wearing it. There are no big noisey buckles and I also wear it under my heavier outerwear.
I couldn’t agree more boys. Find a way to make it work or get one that does. A gentleman I golf with has a son-in-law in a wheelchair because he wasn’t wearing a harness. His 12 year old son had to find his dad paralyzed under his tree. Don’t wear one for yourself, wear it for your family.
I have hunted off and on out of a treestand for 15 plus years and I bet I can count on one hand how many times I have worn a safety harness. I used to always think “I’ll never fall,it won’t happen to me”, “I’m careful. I won’t fall.” I tried the pieces of crap that come with most treestands and they are such a pain to put on and then they are just in the way. I always end up just not wearing one.
Well after getting hounded on by some buddies year after year about not wearing a harness I finally went out and bought a good quality safety vest. This things is 1000 times more easy to put on and hunt out of than the free ones that come with stands. I should have bought one years ago. I have worn it a couple times this fall and I’ll continue to wear it. Even thougth I have never had an accident, I have had several close calls where I have caught myself. I know it’s only a matter of time. Better safe than sorry.
Those of you that don’t wear a harness because they are just a pain to get onand hunt out of, I urge you to try a good quality safety vest. There are several on the market that look really good. I think mine is a Hunters Safety System. Best insurance you can buy.
After reading this thread, I am beginning to think I will be wearing a harness at Ripley again. I don’t think I would use it for the 2-3 hr sits but the all day thing can make a guy get tired and I admit that I love my naps.
I’m not big into the “Shock” advertisement the Hunter’s Safety has out, but the fact is, it’s truthful. Every year, hunters fall from trees. Some with deadly results. As I sat and cuddled with my 4 year old this AM, it just reaffirms why I need to take care of myself.
So has anyone else tried to lengthen the strap to the tree?
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Being 6’5″ I had the same problem with the tether being too short and causing me to have to move the strap around the tree up or down in order to stand up versus sitting. Then I blew a chance at a nice buck when he busted me adjusting the strap… The next day I bought some climbing rope and made an 18″ extension and have never had the issue again
I just purchased a 4x/5x for taller bigger guys from Hunters Saftey Systems I used it in my ladder stand last weekend for the first time. I think it will work great. I used a lifeline rope so I am attached to the tree for my climb up and down. My only slips have been while climbing or transition from step to stand. I would bet most falls are while climbing. This is one of the few systems that protects you from the ground to being in the stand. I hope I never have to test it but I feel better knowing I have a chance if I slip or fall.
Mwal
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Being 6’5″ I had the same problem with the tether being too short and causing me to have to move the strap around the tree up or down in order to stand up versus sitting. Then I blew a chance at a nice buck when he busted me adjusting the strap… The next day I bought some climbing rope and made an 18″ extension and have never had the issue again
This is a great idea, just wanted to see if anyone else is doing it, not that I don’t believe you just wondering if it is a common practice.
I used to never wear one either..Started off and on about 2 years ago. Making the habit this year to wear one every time I’m out. I made some extra tethers for each of my stands out of heavy duty pull straps. This way I’m not setting up that pieces everytime I get in and out and I just leave them on the tree for the season. I know is’t probly not 100% but it’s darn close.
I’m sure every man wants to ‘length’n’ his strap.
I lengthend mine 12″ in five minutes and life has been good ever since.
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