It is that time of year again. You can feel it in the air and see it in the changing colors of the surrounding trees: deer hunting season. This past weekend, Richard and I spent an entire day strategically placing cameras and moving stands in efforts of finding that perfect hunting spot for our opening day.
With the task of moving ladder stands and placing lock-on stands comes the importance of wearing a safety harness. Anytime a hunter leaves the ground and will be elevated, it is an absolute necessity to wear an approved safety harness. An added convenience is one that comes with a lineman’s belt
Headed to the stand: HSS Ultra Lite harness on, compound bow, backpack and video camera...simplicity in a harness is crucial for me.
I have owned several styles of safety harnesses — from the simple to the most complex, translated … “the most aggravating to put on.” I have hunted in temperatures from 8 degrees to 98 degrees, on calm days to days filled with drizzles to downpours, so I can say that I have indeed put several safety harnesses through the test. From the different styles that I have used, the most convenient style is the simplest I have found. Although other companies have designed similar lightweight harnesses, I always found imperfections that were anywhere on the scale from annoying to that of life threatening.
Hunter’s Safety System perfected the design with the new HSS Ultra Lite (HSS-300) http://www.huntersafetysystem.com/store/hss-ultra-lite.html. This harness is as much ideal for warm weather hunting as it is for layering under bulky cold weather wear. The design is also woman hunter friendly allowing ample room in the bust area with padded main harness chest straps that do not ride over the breast and the length and waist is adjustable to fit varying waist sizes, which is easily adjustable for varying layers of clothing.
Hunter's Safety System Ultra Lite (HSS-300) $99.95
The harness is ready to put on the minute you retrieve it from your backpack or storage area with no tangling. After the harness is properly put on and buckled, there are no straps hanging off the harness for the hunter to try to tuck away on their walk to their stand and no bulky buckles that are left exposed to clang on metal stands or to get twisted up in the gear being carried in. The leg strap buckles are rubber coated and smaller than those found on many harnesses.
The harness fits neatly against the body and jackets and parkas can be worn on top of this harness comfortably; no narrow sleeve holes to try to get the many layers through. The design is lightweight, comfortable and one of the easiest to use harnesses I have ever field-tested.
Although I prefer the HSS Ultra Lite, you may prefer a vest style harness. Hunter Safety Systems has many different styles of harnesses and you can see those at http://www.huntersafetysystem.com/index.php. Regardless of what brand harness you prefer, it is imperative that you use one every time you leave the ground. Remember to be safe and always wear your safety harness. You can read more about tree stand safety at http://www.tmastands.com/. Good luck this season; hunt hard, harvest ethically and may your drag be short.
To follow along with the Guru Huntress’ adventures and see how these products work for her in the field, see her blog: http://njadams1.wordpress.com/
Endorsement Disclosure: Per the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, this product review is an endorsement and the writer may have been compensated by “in-kind” payment to review the product.
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
Nancy Jo, thanks for reminding us all how very important the Hunter’s Safety System is to use. I’ll have to get one of these Ultra-Lites, sounds nice not to have all that bulk and straps going on while you’re trying to get everything organized in the stand.
great write-up. thanks for sharing! i already own a HSS harness, but this one is SO much nicer. since i bow hunt in central Florida, it would be so much cooler to wear!
Wow Deb!! That is an awesome idea for a Christmas gift for a hunting relative. I have never thought of that. That might even be better than the Roadside Emergency car care kit I bought several years ago as gifts. Thank you for the idea. Thanks for reading my column and commenting.
Thanks Nancy Jo for a very solid test and description on a safety harness! My brother does a lot of tree stand hunting at his place in Michigan. Your recommendation will make an excellent birthday/Christmas gift for him!
make sure to get the right equipment before going. If you don’t have the budget to buy new stuff, you can go to outdoor gear, they have cheap products but with great quality!