Be careful moving your tree stands!

by B. R. Yanney
(Athens PA)

In the pre-season of 09' I was taking down a stand I left in a tree from the year before. Its' chain had grown into the tree. I was up there about 15 feet , tugging on it with no safety harness, When it gave way. Down I came, broke my right wrist and right leg.It all happened because I was impatient and getting a little angry. Thank god my 13 year old son was there to scrape me up and carry me to the truck. He was freaking out , but he is my hero. He hopfully learned from my stupidity. I spent the archery/rifle season in a wheel chair, looking out the window, at the beautiful fall season. Please learn from my careless actions. I dont want any of my fellow hunters to miss a season in the woods. I made up for in 2010 season by filling my archery tags on the first day. A nice doe in the morning, and a big body 7 point in the evening, I guess you could call him a managment buck. This year though again I am missing the hunting season. Numbness in my back is settling in , its just gotten' worse since my fall. And I am wating for carpal tunnel surgury in both hands. Thats a combination of my work , guitar playing and shooting by bow with a glove. This story took me hours to type, but I just wanted to pass along my story. So be carefull, watch your tempure , warm up your hands properly, dont over stress your hands .I know I coming off like an idiot.Nothing ever happened to me before.If your carelees it will catch up to you, unless your lucky. God bless all of you hunters, please be careful,and I hope you all get that trophy you've been hunting so hard for.