Warnings & Safety Rules

Warnings & Safety Rules

1. When hunting from a treestand falls can occur any time after leaving the ground causing injury or death.
2. Always wear a fall arrest system (FAS) comprising a full body harness at all times after leaving the ground while using climbing and hang-on treestands. Single safety belts and chest harnesses are no longer allowed and should never be used. If you are not wearing a full body harness properly attached to the tree that is protecting you from a fall, do not leave the ground.
3. Read and understand all of the manufacturer’s warnings and instructions and use all safety devices provided by the manufacturer. Contact the manufacturer for any questions. Failure to do so could result in injury or death.
4. Never exceed the total weight limit of a treestand.
5. Never use a treestand while taking drugs (even prescription drugs) or alcohol.
6. Never use a treestand during inclement weather such as rain, lighting, windstorm or icy conditions and end your hunt and return to the ground if inclement conditions arise.
7. Never use a treestand when feeling ill, Nauseous or dizzy, or if you have a prior medical condition that could cause a problem i.e. Heart condition, joints that lock-up, spinal fusions, etc. or if you are not well rested.
8. Never use a treestand on a dead, leaning, diseased or loose barked tree or on a utility pole.
9. Never rely on a tree branch for support.
10. Never jump or bounce on a treestand to seat it to the tree.
11. Pull up a bow, back pack, firearm or other equipment only after being secure in the treestand and a firearm must be pulled up with it unloaded, chamber open and muzzle down.
12. Always inform someone of the hunting location, where the treestand will be located and the expected duration of the hunt.
13. A signal device such a mobile phone, radio, whistles, signal flare or personal locator device (PLD) must be on your person and readily available at all times.
14. Inspect the treestand and all safety devices each time before use and do not store a treestand outdoors when not in use.
15. Never modify your stand in any way by making repairs, replacing parts, or altering adding or attaching anything to it except if explicitly authorized in writing by the manufacturer.
16. Practice installing, adjusting and using your treestand at ground level prior to using it at elevated positions.
17. Instructions (written and video) should be kept in a safe place and reviewed at least annually. It is the responsibility of the treestand owner to furnish the complete instructions to any person that borrows or purchases the treestand.

Climbing Treestands

1. The initial angle of the platform/climber at ground level must allow for the decrease in tree diameter while ascending by tilting slightly upward.
2. For two-piece climbing treestands the tether connecting the top and the platform must be secure and at the proper length recommended by the manufacturer.
3. Platform level adjustments should not be made anywhere except at ground level (except for those special cases of products designed and intended to be safely adjusted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions).
4. While climbing, adjustments to the harness attachment to the tree (tether/tree belt) should be frequent and coordinated with treestand movement to maintain the least amount of slack in the tether that will allow for climbing.
5. Familiarize yourself with the use of climbers by practicing at ground level before using in a hunting environment.

Non-climbing (fixed or hang-on) treestand

1. The use of a lineman’s/climbing belt is required when installing a hang-on treestand to stabilize the user with the tree.
2. Correct tightening and adjustments of chains, cables, straps, etc.
3. Practice the attachment of hang-on treestands at ground level before using in a hunting environment.
4. Never leave a treestand in a tree for more than two weeks since weather or animals could cause damage. Tree growth can also stress and damage straps and buckles.
5. Use a haul line to raise and lower the treestand. Never climb with anything on your back.
6. Climbing aids (stick ladders, sectional ladders, steps, etc.) must extend above the platform to allow the user to step down onto the platform. Never step up to your stand from a climbing aid.

Ladder treestand and tripod

1. Use at least three people to install and /or take down a ladder treestand.
2. The criss-cross straps and stabilization device must be attached before climbing to the platform.
3. When installing a ladder stand, always bounce on the first rung to set the ladder into the ground according to manufacturer’s instructions before proceeding to climb any higher.
4. Check every ladder section connection every time you use the stand before you leave the ground. If ladder sections are separating, do not use the stand.
5. Check the ground under stand to make sure it is firm and level. Sloping ground or uneven surface (one side on a rock) can cause your ladder to tilt or shift off the tree as you climb.
6. Maintain three points of contact when climbing a ladder treestand.
7. Always lean forward as you climb and attach your harness to the tree before securing the platform to the tree and stepping onto the platform.

Fall Arrest System (FAS) and full body harness

1. Read and understand the manufacturer’s Warning, expiration date and instructions on how to use and how to properly adjust the harness.
2. Practice the use of a full body harness at ground level in the presence of a responsible adult to experience the feeling of hanging suspended before using in a hunting environment.
3. The length of the harness tether must be minimized at tall times. It should be adjusted so that it is above the head with no slack (snug) in the sitting position and you should have the minimum amount of slack possible when climbing.
4. Never allow the tether strap to get under your chin or around your neck.
5. If the hunting location is unknown by anyone and communication efforts are unsuccessful, you must have a personal plan for recovery/escape because prolonged suspension in a harness can be fatal. It is important to exercise the legs by pushing against the tree or doing other forms of continuous leg exercises to avoid blood pooling while being suspended. Hunters with varying degrees of physical fitness may require different plans to recover/escape the effects of prolonged suspension. Have a personal plan and practice it in the presence of a responsible adult before leaving the ground. No on escape/rescue plan will work for every hunter on every tree in every circumstance. Only you can determine the best recovery/escape plan for your hunting situation and you must have a recovery/escape plan for your situation before leaving the ground.
6. A suspension relief device must be on your person and readily accessible while using a harness. This device will allow the user to relieve the load on the lower extremities if suspended in a harness and help maintain circulation in the legs and prevent suspension trauma (blood pooling). Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions on the safe use of any suspension relief device.
7. Hunt from the ground when self-recovery/escape ability is absent.
8. There is time to make a correct decision on what action to take if a fall occurs while wearing a full body harness. It is important to remember, “DO NOT PANIC.” Remain calm and implement your practiced rescue, relief and recovery plan.

Climbing aids for hang-on treestands – stick ladders, sectional ladders, and steps.

1. A full body harness with lineman’s/climbing belt must be worn at all times while installing or removing any hang-on climbing aids.
2. Hang-on climbing aids must be placed on the tree at a height above the platform where the user can maintain a handhold on the unit and step downwards onto the treestand. Never step up from a climbing device to get into your stand.
3. When using a climbing/lineman’s belt to ascend the tree, the full body harness should be attached to the tree before stepping down onto the treestand.
4. Sectional ladders and steps should be spaced on the tree to insure each step is no more than 18 inches apart.
5. Check every stick ladder section connection every time you use the stick ladder before you leave the ground. If stick ladder sections are separating, do not use the stick ladder.