Safety...

[Va Hunter]

Safety in our tree stands, should be the maindest thing on our minds when getting in them.

Last nite(sunday), I was switching back and forth between the different hunting channels and the close of the Olympic games. I happened onto North American Sportsman. On the screen talking , was the Guy with the accent. Don't know if he's from Australia or New Zealand. His name is Mike McCabe and is quite the accomplished hunter and Videographer.
Mr McCabe is addressing the camera from a wheelchair! He took a tumble from a treestand that broke when he turned to get the camera on a bear that had approached his hunter and himself from behind. He freely admited the fact that he'd not attached his harness when he climbed into the tree. If he had, he'd be walking today. He broke both wrists, bones in his hands, a number of ribs, his sternum and 2 vertebrae in his back. He's paralized from right under his ribcage, down. He seemed to be in much better spirits than I'd be if it were me.

So to recap...Please! Make sure you think prior to getting in a tree stand this year.