As you all have already realized I’ve been away from the blog for quite sometime now. I’d like to thank each and everyone one of you for reading this blog and I hope that you’ll continue following the SkinnyMoose Bloggers as they bring you the very latest and greatest outdoor news and entertainment. I will be on and off the blog sporadically from here on out because I am tied up building and maintaining an all new message board called www.carolinasoutdoor.com ,an all new hunting and fishing forum dedicated to North and South Carolina outdoorsmen. Come join us or at least check in often to see what the folks in the Carolinas are doing in the field. Once again thanks for your support.

It seems every season we have a handful of several treestand hunting accidents that we hear about. Here across the Skinnymoose Network this past hunting season there were several tree stand related accidents reported on across some of the blogs. These accidents, in most cases could probably have been prevented. When you think tree stand safety, what are some of the things that come to your mind?

Mention treestand safety to someone and the conversation almost always turns to safety harnesses. The type of treestand safety I’m referring to today is not whether or not you wear a safety harness while in the stand. I’m referring to post-season work that needs to be done on your stands to ensure that you get a chance to hunt next season.

First thing I like to do when it comes to stand safety, is to remove as many of my stands as possible and bring them back home for visual inspections/repairs. I do alot of hunting from metal ladder stands, some single man stands and some buddy stands. I like to paint any surfaces that are showing signs of rust, replace any rusted bolts and just do an overall inspection of the stand. I also like to remove any climbing sticks, or screw in steps that I may be using to get into a Loc-on style stand. I know it may seem like a major pain to go through this year after year, but, ensuring that you return home safely should be your number one goal.

For some folks, I realize removing the stands isn’t going to be an option and alot of the work must be done in the field. If you decide to do your post-season work in the field this time of year now is really the perfect time to move a stand to a different location as well. The leaves are off the trees, the temps. are cooler and as we all know this can make moving a stand much more enjoyable versus 90 degree summer weather here in the south.

Checking your stands for faulty welds, rusted areas, dry-rotted straps, etc. could be the first thing that makes the difference whether you return home safely from your ‘08 season. Let’s keep ‘08 safe and start out on the right foot, check those deer stands and repair and replace whatever is needed.

photo courtesty of destination360.c0m

Many topics in the hunting industry are often met with mixed emotions. The use of hunter orange is no exception. Some folks argue that the deer can see it, others say that there are no real studies showing the use of hunter orange makes hunting any safer. Personally, I don’t leave home without it but that’s just me.

I’ve always hunted in states where hunter orange was required, whether private or public land. I’ve witnessed first-hand how visible hunter orange is to the human eye and a few times a quick “wave” of a hat along with a short whistle alerted other hunters of my presence from far off. I’ve never been able to find any negativity in wearing orange. I’m not 100% convinced that deer can’t see it, but, I believe if a hunter is in good cover, and keeps their movements minimal, deer can (and have been) taken in just about any clothing. Without a doubt solid patterns will stick out like a sore thumb to a deer, no matter the color. I’ve been busted more by scent and movement than any thing else. Everyone has different opinions but while reading some articles on the web I stumbled on this article written by Ed Payne over at the Marietta Times.

Ed openly admits that he is not convinced that deer do not see orange. Despite what research has shown, Ed gives a few examples in his article to support his opinion.

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