Bowhunter Dead-Fell Out Of Treestand - TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forums

elkbowhunter · 10-18-2011, 10:20 AM

Just recently Mike Mckinsky with Team Real Tree fell to his death from a tree-stand up 17 feet. Reports say he had lowered his bow and was coming down and fell. Mike was a good guy with years of hunting experience. This is a tragic. Please pray for Mike and his family. Another loss from a tree-stand.

iamntxhunter · 10-18-2011, 10:22 AM

Sad to hear these kind of stories. Did he slip while going up or didn't have his safety belt on? Any details on how it happened?

Jeremy7306 · 10-18-2011, 10:22 AM

Thats sad, prayers to the family

"Aim small, miss small"

bowhuntntxn · 10-18-2011, 10:22 AM

horrible!! seems like a team realtree member would know to be harnessed at all times!

Mudslinger · 10-18-2011, 10:23 AM

Sad to hear.

crazy8 · 10-18-2011, 10:26 AM

Wear your safty harness guys. Prayers sent.

Cooper · 10-18-2011, 10:30 AM

Sad....Prayers sent!!

Larry · 10-18-2011, 10:30 AM

It was Mike McKinsey...Realtree videographer and hunter. Prayers up.

I'm just not comfortable until I have my harness connected to the tree. I did without for a few years. It's just not worth it.

Brett C · 10-18-2011, 10:30 AM

Sad for sure, prayers sent . Please guys, wear your safty harnesses .

Codie · 10-18-2011, 10:30 AM

horrible

DeadeyeDeb · 10-18-2011, 10:31 AM

Anyone know what happened? Prayers to his family/friends.

BigThicketBoy · 10-18-2011, 10:31 AM

Prayers for family!

donfish84 · 10-18-2011, 10:32 AM

Prayers sent up. Be safe guys and gals.

KWEarp · 10-18-2011, 10:32 AM

Thats terrible to hear. Prayers for the family

systemnt · 10-18-2011, 10:34 AM

SAFETY ROPE when going up guys... the harness is useless unless your connected.
Prayers sent for the family.

Humper · 10-18-2011, 10:34 AM

http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/132025318.html

Tommyh · 10-18-2011, 10:34 AM

http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/132025318.html

Centex_bowhunte · 10-18-2011, 10:36 AM

Links no good, so sad

elkbowhunter · 10-18-2011, 10:36 AM

Mike was supposed to meet his buddies back at the truck and he never showed up, so they went looking for him and he was on the ground, not breathing. It was apparent Mike just fell out of the tree. I dont think they really know exactly what went down. Maybe he had a vest on and was on his way up and just slipped..frost..wet? I know you are supposed to use a safety line going up but I bet a lot of people assume they can just make it up to the stand then strap in. Just a lot of things that could have happened. I dont know if anyone really knows.
Prayers to his family and friends. Sad.

Chad C · 10-18-2011, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Humper

http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/132025318.html

After reading...

quick question.

How many of y'all tether all the way up/down to/from your stand?

I can honstly say, I don't...

I also don't hunt out of many trees or trees that are straight.

HoustonR6ryda · 10-18-2011, 10:39 AM

Prayers go up for his family's strength- hate to hear these stories,but I try to learn from them.

Humper · 10-18-2011, 10:40 AM

from the article.....

Monday, October 17, 2011

HONEA PATH, S.C. (AP) -- Authorities say a 48-year-old deer hunter has died after falling from a tree stand in Abbeville County.

ADVERTISEMENT
Investigators said Mike McKinsey had lowered his bow and was climbing out of the stand in the northeast part of Abbeville County on Friday when he appears to have lost his footing and fell about 18 feet.

Authorities say McKinsey was supposed to meet his hunting buddies later at their vehicles, but when he didn't show up, the men went back in the woods and found him.

Investigators say an autopsy determined McKinsey died from injuries suffered from the fall and his death has been ruled accidental.

I just put a teather on my tree stand this year....falling is not an option!

systemnt · 10-18-2011, 10:41 AM

We have a safety line on ALL of our stands (except the shorter ladders..)..
I wont climb with out being connected...
We have a 30' platform stand (tree house like floor thing between two trees on a creek).. if that safety line wasn't there.. it would be the most unused stand ever.. its not easy to get into, and the climb is on screw in steps.(gut hooks)..

Txjourneyman · 10-18-2011, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad C

After reading...

quick question.

How many of y'all tether all the way up to your stand?

I can honstly say, I don't...

I also don't hunt out of many trees or trees that are straight.

I do every time. My 6 YO daughter doesn't want to grow up without a daddy. And I don't want to live through it only to have my wife have to change my diaper because I'm a quadripligic.
Are you in that much of a hurry that its worth not taking the few minutes needed?

elkbowhunter · 10-18-2011, 10:43 AM

Chad....I dont. After reading about Mike I should. I hunted many years in Montana with no strap but was extremely careful. I go up about 15 ft. After reading about all the people falling I bought a good Hunter Safety Vest. I use it. I used to climb trees like a monkey when I was a kid. So all the talk about safety 30 years ago I took with a grain of salt. As my thinking was....there is danger in anything. I choose to wear a harness now. It just makes good sense. IMO

Zeeter · 10-18-2011, 10:43 AM

Yeap Mike McKinsey........ saw Wadell tweet that he was the best hunter he knew. So sad and prayers to the family

Snap up boys for you all that hunt them hard woods.

awatsonjr · 10-18-2011, 10:44 AM

Tragedy.

bowhuntntxn · 10-18-2011, 10:44 AM

I do!! Unless I am using my climber then I am hooked up with my normal harness rope. Fixed stands always hooked up from the time my feet leave the ground, until they get back on the ground.

ShaBow · 10-18-2011, 10:45 AM

Loreva13 · 10-18-2011, 10:45 AM

Horrible...prayers sent

Chad C · 10-18-2011, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Txjourneyman

I do every time. My 6 YO daughter doesn't want to grow up without a daddy. And I don't want to live through it only to have my wife have to change my diaper because I'm a quadripligic.
Are you in that much of a hurry that its worth not taking the few minutes needed?

I don't hunt out of tall trees. We don't have tall trees. The highest is about 10 foot to the bottom of the stand.

Not in a hurry. Just don't see the need in my situation.

jetlag887 · 10-18-2011, 10:51 AM

Horrible.

bowhuntntxn · 10-18-2011, 10:52 AM

Chad, jump off your house onto your back, and see if you have a need then. Even 10 feet can kill or maim you!! You really should wear a harness and safety system IMO!

BIG IRON · 10-18-2011, 10:53 AM

That is terrible

systemnt · 10-18-2011, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad C

I don't hunt out of tall trees. We don't have tall trees. The highest is about 10 foot to the bottom of the stand.

Not in a hurry. Just don't see the need in my situation.

Think about it this way..
Stand on the first step of a step ladder.. close your eyes and have some one push you off.
now think about the actions your body just did , repeating your attempt to land on your feet from 10 feet, with gear on, smacking screw in steps, ladder segments, branches etc.. on the way down...
10 feet doesn't sound like a lot.. (and admittingly, we dont have safety lines on our 10-15 2 man ladder stands...) but i could see the same amount of carnage happened in 10 feet as in 15, 20, 30...

Arrowsmith · 10-18-2011, 10:56 AM

If you are not connected from the time your feet leave the ground until your feet return to the ground you are risking life or limbs. 70 to 80% of treestand accidents occur while climbing up and entering or exiting and climbing down. Always use a climbing belt to secure your lifeline and then always stay connected to your life line while climbing up and down and to the tree while on stand. Anything else is unacceptable and will get you hurt or dead sooner or later. Think about your family. Be safe.

Sent from my Samsung Vibrant using Tapatalk

BIG IRON · 10-18-2011, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad C

After reading...

quick question.

How many of y'all tether all the way up/down to/from your stand?

I can honstly say, I don't...

I also don't hunt out of many trees or trees that are straight.

I use a lineman's belt now. This is my 1st year to do so and it makes a world of difference. It is really handy when strapping sticks to the tree. I will have to unhook it if there are branches on the way up still. I did buy some climbing rope to make life lines but haven't done so yet

Swampa · 10-18-2011, 10:59 AM

That's terrible. RIP

Anyone hunting the tall stuff should strap up, or come hunt with me. Trees are so short your toes will drag the ground from the stand.

team obsession · 10-18-2011, 11:03 AM

As a fire/rescue personal i have ran a call from a treestand fall. Its not a good situation and it takes a long time to usually find where the hunter is. So lets all be safe and wear our harnesses. If you dont have one i have a few cheaper ones laying around. There better than nothing. Thoughts and prayers sent that way ...

Chad C · 10-18-2011, 11:05 AM

I do wear a harness when I'm in the tree. Ok. Guys... Im not an idiot. I know if a fell on my head or back it could kill me.

The trees our stand are in "are not straight" and we typically use branches in the process of getting in the stand. I tether once I'm about six feet off the ground. This is where it becomes feasible for most of our tree stands.

My question is for those that hunt 18 feet up! Do you tether all the way up and all the way down from your stand... I should have clarified before I got my chops busted!

BIG IRON · 10-18-2011, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad C

I do wear a harness when I'm in the tree. Ok. Guys... Im not an idiot. I know if a fell on my head or back it could kill me.

The trees our stand are in "are not straight" and we typically use branches in the process of getting in the stand. I tether once I'm about six feet off the ground. This is where it becomes feasible for most of our tree stands.

My question is for those that hunt 18 feet up! Do you tether all the way up and all the way down from your stand... I should have clarified before I got my chops busted!

I understood you Chad

Gonzo · 10-18-2011, 11:09 AM

sad news, prayers up for the McKinsey familly

systemnt · 10-18-2011, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad C

I do wear a harness when I'm in the tree. Ok. Guys... Im not an idiot. I know if a fell on my head or back it could kill me.

The trees our stand are in "are not straight" and we typically use branches in the process of getting in the stand. I tether once I'm about six feet off the ground. This is where it becomes feasible for most of our tree stands.

My question is for those that hunt 18 feet up! Do you tether all the way up and all the way down from your stand... I should have clarified before I got my chops busted!

My harness is connected to the safety line the entire time. we use a weird slide knot that slips when slid by grasping the knot, but tightens when moved by the connection to the harness. (cannot remember the name of it for the life of me... )
so we use it as the safety line and the harness connection while on stand.. it never comes off unless your feet are touching ground.

bowhuntntxn · 10-18-2011, 11:11 AM

Not trying to bust your chops. Just trying to point out the need for safety at all stages of climbing. And YES. When hanging my stands I use a combination of lineman's belt and harness loop to set climbing sticks. And I am never NOT connected to the tree. Then after I hang the stand I attach the upper end of my lifeline to the tree. Then climb down still using my harness/LB combo. Once I reach the ground, I disconnect and tie off the lower end of the life line. Then I reclimb the tree while attached and check the stand placement and set up.

Takes a while, but it is worth it to me.

it is a prussic knot BTW!

Snipehunter · 10-18-2011, 11:14 AM

Sad Indeed.

Ouch · 10-18-2011, 11:16 AM

I am guilty of not tethering from the ground up, but I will make it happen. Haven't hunted out of a tree yet this year. When I move a lock-on this weekend, there's a safety line going up with it.

Terrible news. Prayers for his family.

Ouch · 10-18-2011, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by systemnt

My harness is connected to the safety line the entire time.

I almost got you.

stan · 10-18-2011, 11:17 AM

Prayers sent for his family.

BIG IRON · 10-18-2011, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by systemnt

My harness is connected to the safety line the entire time. we use a weird slide knot that slips when slid by grasping the knot, but tightens when moved by the connection to the harness. (cannot remember the name of it for the life of me... )so we use it as the safety line and the harness connection while on stand.. it never comes off unless your feet are touching ground.

It is a prussic knot and pretty easy to tie. I made a prussic loop that is easily attached to the harnass teather.

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Name: prussic.jpg
Views: 8670
Size: 5.1 KB

Coach W · 10-18-2011, 11:23 AM

I hunt off the ground 99% of the time but do own two tripods that are set up. They are 6-8 feet tall.

Yall use harnesses on tripods? I never had and dont own one. But will be looking for one now!

Sad deal for sure!

10-18-2011, 10:20 AM	#1
elkbowhunter Pope & Young Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Brenham Texas Hunt In: Alaska, Montana, Colorado	Bowhunter Dead-Fell Out Of Treestand Just recently Mike Mckinsky with Team Real Tree fell to his death from a tree-stand up 17 feet. Reports say he had lowered his bow and was coming down and fell. Mike was a good guy with years of hunting experience. This is a tragic. Please pray for Mike and his family. Another loss from a tree-stand. Last edited by elkbowhunter; 10-18-2011 at 10:45 AM..

10-18-2011, 10:36 AM	#19
elkbowhunter Pope & Young Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Brenham Texas Hunt In: Alaska, Montana, Colorado	Mike was supposed to meet his buddies back at the truck and he never showed up, so they went looking for him and he was on the ground, not breathing. It was apparent Mike just fell out of the tree. I dont think they really know exactly what went down. Maybe he had a vest on and was on his way up and just slipped..frost..wet? I know you are supposed to use a safety line going up but I bet a lot of people assume they can just make it up to the stand then strap in. Just a lot of things that could have happened. I dont know if anyone really knows. Prayers to his family and friends. Sad. Last edited by elkbowhunter; 10-18-2011 at 10:38 AM..

10-18-2011, 10:45 AM	#29
ShaBow Ten Point Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sour Lake,Tx. Hunt In: A Tree	Sad!

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10-18-2011, 10:22 AM	#2
iamntxhunter Pope & Young Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Dallas Hunt In: North Texas	Sad to hear these kind of stories. Did he slip while going up or didn't have his safety belt on? Any details on how it happened?

10-18-2011, 10:22 AM	#3
Jeremy7306 Ten Point Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Burleson,TX Hunt In: Whitney, Anywhere I can find	Thats sad, prayers to the family "Aim small, miss small"

10-18-2011, 10:22 AM	#4
bowhuntntxn Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Denton, TX	horrible!! seems like a team realtree member would know to be harnessed at all times!

10-18-2011, 10:23 AM	#5
Mudslinger Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lubbock, TX Hunt In: Kent Co., CO, Limpopo RSA	Sad to hear.

10-18-2011, 10:26 AM	#6
crazy8 Eight Point Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: houston Hunt In: Colorado Co. Webb Co.	Wear your safty harness guys. Prayers sent.

10-18-2011, 10:30 AM	#7
Cooper Ten Point Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bryan, TX Hunt In: Brazos County & Sam Houston National Forest	Sad....Prayers sent!!

10-18-2011, 10:30 AM	#8
Larry Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fort Worth, Texas	It was Mike McKinsey...Realtree videographer and hunter. Prayers up. I'm just not comfortable until I have my harness connected to the tree. I did without for a few years. It's just not worth it.

10-18-2011, 10:30 AM	#9
Brett C Pope & Young Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: edgewood TX. Hunt In: San Angelo,Colorado,New Mexico,Mo.,the H,Van Zant co.	Sad for sure, prayers sent . Please guys, wear your safty harnesses .

10-18-2011, 10:30 AM	#10
Codie Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Graham Texas Hunt In: Young,Throckmorton & Shackleford counties	horrible

10-18-2011, 10:31 AM	#11
DeadeyeDeb Pope & Young Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Temple, TX	Anyone know what happened? Prayers to his family/friends.

10-18-2011, 10:31 AM	#12
BigThicketBoy Pope & Young Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Barbers Hill Tx Hunt In: Hardin Co	Prayers for family!

10-18-2011, 10:32 AM	#13
donfish84 Pope & Young Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Corpus Christi Hunt In: Laredo/Florence	Prayers sent up. Be safe guys and gals.

10-18-2011, 10:32 AM	#14
KWEarp Six Point Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Liberty, Tx Hunt In: Liberty Co., Mason Co.	Thats terrible to hear. Prayers for the family

10-18-2011, 10:34 AM	#15
systemnt Pope & Young Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Spring Hunt In: Polk County, South Texas	SAFETY ROPE when going up guys... the harness is useless unless your connected. Prayers sent for the family.

10-18-2011, 10:34 AM	#16
Humper Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Corinth Hunt In: Tom Green Co.	http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/132025318.html

10-18-2011, 10:34 AM	#17
Tommyh Pope & Young Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Katy Hunt In: Del Rio and Public Land	http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/132025318.html

10-18-2011, 10:36 AM	#18
Centex_bowhunte Six Point Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Killeen Hunt In: Bell County	Links no good, so sad

10-18-2011, 10:39 AM	#21
HoustonR6ryda Ten Point Join Date: Sep 2008	Prayers go up for his family's strength- hate to hear these stories,but I try to learn from them.

10-18-2011, 10:40 AM	#22
Humper Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Corinth Hunt In: Tom Green Co.	from the article..... Monday, October 17, 2011 HONEA PATH, S.C. (AP) -- Authorities say a 48-year-old deer hunter has died after falling from a tree stand in Abbeville County. ADVERTISEMENT Investigators said Mike McKinsey had lowered his bow and was climbing out of the stand in the northeast part of Abbeville County on Friday when he appears to have lost his footing and fell about 18 feet. Authorities say McKinsey was supposed to meet his hunting buddies later at their vehicles, but when he didn't show up, the men went back in the woods and found him. Investigators say an autopsy determined McKinsey died from injuries suffered from the fall and his death has been ruled accidental. I just put a teather on my tree stand this year....falling is not an option!

10-18-2011, 10:41 AM	#23
systemnt Pope & Young Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Spring Hunt In: Polk County, South Texas	We have a safety line on ALL of our stands (except the shorter ladders..).. I wont climb with out being connected... We have a 30' platform stand (tree house like floor thing between two trees on a creek).. if that safety line wasn't there.. it would be the most unused stand ever.. its not easy to get into, and the climb is on screw in steps.(gut hooks)..

10-18-2011, 10:43 AM	#25
elkbowhunter Pope & Young Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Brenham Texas Hunt In: Alaska, Montana, Colorado	Chad....I dont. After reading about Mike I should. I hunted many years in Montana with no strap but was extremely careful. I go up about 15 ft. After reading about all the people falling I bought a good Hunter Safety Vest. I use it. I used to climb trees like a monkey when I was a kid. So all the talk about safety 30 years ago I took with a grain of salt. As my thinking was....there is danger in anything. I choose to wear a harness now. It just makes good sense. IMO

10-18-2011, 10:43 AM	#26
Zeeter Ten Point Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Frisco, Tx Hunt In: ....down at the Neon Promise Land	Yeap Mike McKinsey........ saw Wadell tweet that he was the best hunter he knew. So sad and prayers to the family Snap up boys for you all that hunt them hard woods.

10-18-2011, 10:44 AM	#27
awatsonjr Pope & Young Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: jasper texas	Tragedy.

10-18-2011, 10:45 AM	#30
Loreva13 Pope & Young Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: El Paso Hunt In: Iraan, TX, El Paso, TX, Van Horn, TX, and Fort Hancock, TX	Horrible...prayers sent

10-18-2011, 10:51 AM	#32
jetlag887 Ten Point Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Floresville, Tx. Hunt In: McMullen County, Northern Kansas	Horrible.

10-18-2011, 10:52 AM	#33
bowhuntntxn Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Denton, TX	Chad, jump off your house onto your back, and see if you have a need then. Even 10 feet can kill or maim you!! You really should wear a harness and safety system IMO!

10-18-2011, 10:53 AM	#34
BIG IRON Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Waxahachie, Tx Hunt In: Lake Aquilla and Santo, Tx	That is terrible

10-18-2011, 10:56 AM	#36
Arrowsmith Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arlington, Texas Hunt In: Erath County and Davis County Iowa	If you are not connected from the time your feet leave the ground until your feet return to the ground you are risking life or limbs. 70 to 80% of treestand accidents occur while climbing up and entering or exiting and climbing down. Always use a climbing belt to secure your lifeline and then always stay connected to your life line while climbing up and down and to the tree while on stand. Anything else is unacceptable and will get you hurt or dead sooner or later. Think about your family. Be safe. Sent from my Samsung Vibrant using Tapatalk

10-18-2011, 10:59 AM	#38
Swampa Pope & Young Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Murphy Hunt In: Junction, Colorado, Kansas	That's terrible. RIP Anyone hunting the tall stuff should strap up, or come hunt with me. Trees are so short your toes will drag the ground from the stand.

10-18-2011, 11:03 AM	#39
team obsession Ten Point Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Whitney Hunt In: Hill, Bosque, Navarro, and Coke counties	As a fire/rescue personal i have ran a call from a treestand fall. Its not a good situation and it takes a long time to usually find where the hunter is. So lets all be safe and wear our harnesses. If you dont have one i have a few cheaper ones laying around. There better than nothing. Thoughts and prayers sent that way ...