Tree Stands

Ernesto Moreno

How many people out there today use tree stands? I used a tree stand for the first time a few years ago during an elk hunt. I had always said I would never get in a stand no matter what. One day during the hunt, a friend of mine sat next to me at camp and talked about a bull that wouldn’t come any closer than 55 to 60 yards and that was out of his range. “So what do you want me to do about it?” I asked. He said, you are a good shot out to 60 yards and I think you may have a chance at him.

Before this came up I had already passed up about four bulls; I was looking for the big one. So I said to him, you know very well I don’t like tree stands but just for you I will do it.

That afternoon, another hunter, myself, and two other guys who were going to try and film the hunt headed out to the water hole. So we get to the tree that already had a tree stand in it, we were going to use that one for the guy that was going to film.

My friend went up the tree and set the tree stand and I watched him as he did it to make sure everything was fine. He yells down to me, looks good I think we are ready. So I took off my fanny pack and tied it to the rope with my bow. By that time everybody was in their stands.

So up I go. Once I reached to top, I started to reach for the fanny pack to get my safety strap and when I did the platform of the stand broke and there I went. The first thing I said to myself as I started to fall is “grab the tree, I’d sure rather get a face full of bark better than falling.” By that time it was too late. I was on the ground lying on my back but I did save my bow--when I told myself to grab the tree I fell so fast I had grabbed my bow.

When I hit the ground I landed on my feet, that is what broke my left leg, when that went, I hit the ground with my butt and I fracture four vertebrae in my back, The first thing I did was move my legs, I had always read stories saying that guys who fell from tree stands would never walk again. I got up after I fell and walked around for a few minutes-- I was in shock I’m sure. A couple of minutes later I couldn’t stand straight up and my knee swelled up like a basketball. Sure, it was only 15 feet but that’s enough to do damage. I guess I was lucky to have friends with me when I fell otherwise who knows how long I would have been lying their.

I guess what I would like to tell everyone is to have your safety harness on before you get into a tree stand, I spent three months sitting in a recliner at home, and that was the hardest three month I ever spent at home. I also found out that I don’t bounce very good and 235 lbs. falls fast.

So be safe out there this year during the hunts and don’t be like me--put that harness on.