Harness issues

[woolybear]

First let me just say this is my first season primarily hunting from a treestand so this is all very new to me.

Ok everyody, maybe you can help me out. 12 o'clock is straight in front of me. I'm a right hand shooter.

I tether myself to the tree facing 12 o'clock but this is not where I expect the shot to happen. For my preffered and most likely shot I have to turn to my left and cover anywhere from 8 o'clock to 11 o'clock. This is very comfortable to me.

If I have to turn right at all starting at 1 o'clock, my tether (harness)interferes with my draw and anchor point making a shot opp vertually impossible. My elbow hangs up or it holds my shoulder back from reaching full draw. Is this common to only be able to cover just over a 90 degree area or am I tying off all wrong.

The harness instructions said to tie off over my head so that's what I do but when I try to sit it practicly holds me off my seat,lol.

When I lower it on the tree I can feel the harness restricting my lower right shoulder blade when I ry to draw.

I'm a little confused as to what I'm doing wrong up there or if this is normal for a righty to not be able to cover right sided shots?

[Tominator]

You're going to lose some right sided shot windows when using a tether. 2 things come to mind in your situation:

#1--face 2 o'clock

#2--put your tether up over your head, that will alleviate your elbow getting hung up.

[dbHunterNY]

you understand things right. in case of a fall the shorter the tether is, the less abuse you'll get from the fall. i'm still not sure if you're sitting facing the tree or with it at your back, but the concept is still about the same. i've figured out that a rope style tree strap with a carabiner and prussic knot is the way to go, opposed to a fixed length seat belt with buckle style tree strap. it sets up quicker way quicker than trying to fish the belt through the buckle. Just put the rope around the tree as high as you can reach and then slide the prussic knot up the tail end of the rope (tree strap) until it's as short as possible while still allowing you to draw your bow and sit down. Length can be adjusted really quick that way without loosening the portion that's around the tree.

[woolybear]

You're going to lose some right sided shot windows when using a tether. 2 things come to mind in your situation:

#1--face 2 o'clock

#2--put your tether up over your head, that will alleviate your elbow getting hung up.

Thought about #1 but I'm trying to use the trunk of the tree i'm on for cover. In my climber that may skyline me.

#2- over my head sitting or standing?

Gonna look into that Dan,thanx

Edited November 11, 2010 by woolybear

[ruttinbuc]

I don't know what you are using, but I have an older summit Seat of the Pants that uses a rope on the tree and the tether to the rope. I have to put the rope as high in the tree as I can so when I sit I can feel a slight tension on the tether. If I don't do that I have to duck the tether on standing shots to my right.

Some people put the tether directly behind them to avoid the problem, but if you fall you may well not be able to get back to the tree or the stand. The reason you put it over your head in the first place.

I'm looking into the Muddy safety harness. For its weight and ease of use.

http://www.gomuddy.com/shopping/Departments/Safeguard-Harness.aspx

Edited November 11, 2010 by ruttinbuc

[dbHunterNY]

Thought about #1 but I'm trying to use the trunk of the tree i'm on for cover. In my climber that may skyline me.

#2- over my head sitting or standing?

Gonna look into that Dan,thanx

Yea you're really restricted if you face the tree with a belt style strap. Just keep in mind that shorter is better when a fall happens. If you've got a ton of slack such that the rope and tether is hanging way down past your seat and completely out of the way, then you'll probably break ribs when you fall and other bad stuff. It's better than another alternative if you didn't have it, but yea. Shorter is better!

[Tominator]

When you're standing.

I keep my strap about 1 or 2 inches above my head. Try to keep your bottom platform close to your top platform (this will be a lot more comfortable on your legs as you sit too).

[shockwave]

I use a 6 foot length of rope with a heavy duty spring snap http://www.tractorsupply.com/home-improvement/hardware/chain-rope-accessories/snaps/9-frasl-16-in-interlocking-spring-snap-9-frasl-16-in-opening-3522027

i fasten one end to the tree i`m in, and the other to my hunter safety system, it works well i have just enough play not to get in the way..

[wtnhunt]

#2--put your tether up over your head, that will alleviate your elbow getting hung up.

Try to tether off high enough above myself here where it does not limit my drawing in any direction.

I also use the summit harness system, my hangon stand has a homemade "lifeline" with the prussic knot setup that is tied off maybe 5-6 inches above my head when standing.