Ladder Stands Can be Dangerous, too.

medic1 · #1 11-04-2009, 08:45 AM

My friend was climbing into a ladder stand when, as he was turning around to sit down, the strap holding the stand to the tree broke causing the stand to twist and fall. He landed on his feet but broke both legs, one of them shattered. He is about to go to surgery now. BTW, this happened on a hunting plantation out of state. Just a reminder that even ladder stands should not be taken for granted, including the ones you pay several hundred dollars a day to hunt out of.

BrotherBadger · #2 11-04-2009, 08:50 AM

That's why i prefer hunting ground blinds myself. If i fall out of a ground blind, it's only a 1.5 foot fall.

aztecrider · #3 11-04-2009, 08:52 AM

I wish him the best for a speedy and full recovery. He is fortunate that he was not killed or injured worse.

A harness should always be worn regardless of stand type!!!!

shortround1 · #4 11-04-2009, 08:57 AM

i think about that every time i climb one, before i sit i have my safty system in gear. i am not a fan of ladder stands, i think deer just see those steps and just wonder? just me but i feel safer 30 feet up a pine in a climber than 12ft up a ladder stand!

ALL4HUNTIN · #5 11-04-2009, 08:57 AM

And it is these posts that have me wearing a harness even in a ladder stand.. I did not wear them up til last month. Figured I was safe in a ladder...

Prayers sent for a speedy recovery and back in the woods !!!!

Blonde Peach · #6 11-04-2009, 08:58 AM

Always have to check the straps! Husband had one that started to break with him in the tree. Had to use some rope to reinforce the strap. The stand ending up falling sometime after last season and before this season.

southwoodshunter · #7 11-04-2009, 09:10 AM

That's why both of mine are secured with a strap & a chain that is tightened with a turnbuckle & both have locks on them, so it makes them harder to steal....
I had a stand twist on me once, and I never got into another that was not secured properly.... safety first..
I have taken several sittin on the ground...

hoyt84 · #8 11-04-2009, 09:23 AM

I hate to hear that. I hope he makes a fast and complete recovery!

medic1 · #9 11-04-2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALL4HUNTIN

And it is these posts that have me wearing a harness even in a ladder stand.. I did not wear them up til last month. Figured I was safe in a ladder...

Prayers sent for a speedy recovery and back in the woods !!!!

That's exactly the reason I posted this. I hope it helps others to be careful. And thank you for the prayers.

rex upshaw · #10 11-04-2009, 09:48 AM

get the lifeline from hss and wear a harness, or use the one from the sticky at the top, which is the same as the lifeline. i too know someone who had a bad fall from a ladder stand. also a good idea to check the ropes, cables or whatever is used to attach the stand to the tree.

whitworth · #11 11-04-2009, 10:04 AM

You have to be in shape, aware of what to do if you fall out of your stand, and practice.

A couple of hunters have died falling out of tree stands with
harnesses.

anyduckado · #12 11-04-2009, 10:05 AM

Well hope is recovers and is able to get back to hunting soon. Did he get unlimited hunting privileges at this plantation?

Core Lokt · #13 11-04-2009, 10:14 AM

Always check the straps, through out the year!! Squirles will chew on them, they will rot and they will tear with tree growth.

Hope your buddy makes a full recovery.

Sargent · #14 11-04-2009, 10:57 AM

Prayers for your friend...

A friend of mine was climbing a ladder stand a few years back. As he was about to connect his safety harness, the floor of the stand broke and he fell.

He broke his wrist and some ribs.... banged up pretty bad. His brother found him 3 hours later (I think).
He was very lucky.

urdaddyjeep · #15 11-04-2009, 11:16 AM

not sure what type of ladder stand he has mine has 2 straps connecting it to the tree plus i used 2 more going from the ladder to the tree it's self.

I hope that your friend gets full use of the leg that got shattered and makes a full recovery.

coolbreezeroho · #16 11-04-2009, 11:21 AM

Two straps that came with the stand and then I add two more for the what if ....I will be adding a chain and turn buckle next season.... Replacing the straps about after 2-3 years so the chains should last a lot longer......

moose80cj7 · #17 11-04-2009, 11:27 AM

I just started using chain on all my stands this year. Even on my lock ons. It just makes me feel better everytime I climb in to hunt. As you can tell from my avatar I have more to worry about than just me. I used to never use a harness and now the only time I don't use one is in a ground blind. Hope your friend all the best.

huntfish · #18 11-04-2009, 12:18 PM

When in ladder stands, always use a Life line connected to the tree. Also remember at the end of the season to loosen the stand straps if leaving the stand in place. The tree will continue to grow but the straps will not. Over time, the tree will win.

medic1 · #19 11-04-2009, 01:07 PM

Just found out that, indeed, they determined that squirrels had chewed on the straps.

The plantation had him sign a "release of liability" prior to hunting.

bnew17 · #20 11-04-2009, 01:12 PM

This is unfortunate but accidents out of ladder stands are pretty rare as opposed to climbers and lock ons. I wont hunt out of anything other than ladder stands and ground blind. I was moving a stand this past weekend and noticed one of the supports to the seat was cracked. Good thing my 225 pound butt didnt sit in it. Im getting it rewelded tomorrow.

HighCotton · #21 11-04-2009, 01:14 PM

We check the ties on all ladder stands prior to the season and tighten and/or replace as needed.

Have never had a problem with anything breaking during the season.

Firenatine88 · #22 11-04-2009, 02:04 PM

I'm afraid of heights, however in a 17' ladder stand I feel perfectly safe. I have a full body harness that I lock on as soon as I get to the stand. Just have to be careful with the leg straps.. you want them fairly tight so you know what's going to be getting the force of the fall- don't want your package getting in between the straps. But also I always check my stand and that the ladder is stable and I can see the strap around the tree before stepping foot onto the ladder.

wildlands · #23 11-04-2009, 03:32 PM

Hope your friend comes through surgery with no problems. Father in law had a 12ft ladder stand twist on him 2 yrs ago. Tossed him and broke one leg severly. After numerous surgeries month on anitbiotics due to infection on the harware then the bone dying after 2 yrs he ended up having to have his leg amputated.

Was never a one to wear a safety harness on a regular bases. Seen first hand how quick a persons life can change after an accident like that I wear mine all the time now.

Prayers go out to them.

greers57 · #24 11-04-2009, 07:03 PM

I hope and pray things turn our OK for your friend. I have been there and done that. Had to jump off at least two ladders stands before and thankfully they were only 10 to 12 feet and I was coordinated enough to position myself for a safe jump off. Otherwise it could have been really bad. In my cases, the straps did not break they slid around the tree causing the stand to twist.

I hate heights and now will not climb a ladder that is secured only to the tree trunk any more. At the top, both sides of the ladder have to be chained, in opposing directions, to a horizontal and very sturdy limb for me.

Dr. Strangelove · #25 11-04-2009, 07:21 PM

Sorry to hear that and I wish your friend a speedy recovery.

I used to hunt all kinds of rickety crap when I was younger. In my "old" (36) age, I don't chance the homemade stands or even badly secured commercial ones. I've accepted hunting invites, been put on stands I couldn't believe, and sat at the bottom of the ladder more times than I can count. It's just not worth the risk.

greers57 · #26 11-04-2009, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Strangelove

Sorry to hear that and I wish your friend a speedy recovery.

I used to hunt all kinds of rickety crap when I was younger. In my "old" (36) age, I don't chance the homemade stands or even badly secured commercial ones. I've accepted hunting invites, been put on stands I couldn't believe, and sat at the bottom of the ladder more times than I can count. It's just not worth the risk.

I agree, I have seen some jokes for stands before. I couldn't even dream of climbing to one of the "lock on" stands unless is 3 feet high. If I make a ladder stand it is going to be all treated 2x4s at least and put together with quarter inch galvanized lag screws or bigger. No more than 12 feet either. If I want higher, I feel pretty safe in my old aluminum Warren and Sweat climber. Still check and replace all the bolts periodically.

farmasis · #27 11-04-2009, 08:11 PM

This happened to me this year also, except I didn't fall.
http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=428507&highlight=

I am thinking of replacing my straps with chains and turnbuckles next year.

whiteshooter · #28 11-04-2009, 08:28 PM

i got my ladder stand chained to the tree at the very top nice an tight just for that reason

chiefsquirrel83 · #29 11-04-2009, 08:34 PM

i dont knwo what it is about me but i will climb 30 ft. in my climber....dont where a harness(i know i should) but i am so comfortable and a sense of safety...but when i climb a ladder....my legs are wobbly and i moving like a slug....ladders scare me!

city boy gone country · #30 11-04-2009, 08:46 PM

best wishes to your friend,hope he has a speedy recovery.
I take my ladder stands down at the end of the season so that I can maintain them. I also go overkill on the straps and add at least 3 more for added redundancy.