No one likes a safety sermon. It's like being told to eat your vegetables. This sermon will be brief, because I'm confident you know of at least one hunter who is crippled -- or dead -- as a result of a treestand accident. Personally, I find that sufficient motivation to wear a harness, but there's more. Every time I take my grandsons out to shoot their bows or go fishing, the motivation for safety escalates.

When Carson and Easton arrow their first deer, play basketball, graduate from high school, and become young men, I want to be there -- in one piece.

Even more important, I want to set a good example that teaches them to hunt safely. I want them to be able to participate in all of those activities, too -- in one piece.

Family. What more incentive could anyone possibly need to hunt safely?

Okay, the mini-sermon is over. The important thing now is to find a fall-restraint system that's comfortable, functional, and easy to use. The better the system, the more likely you are to wear it.

You might think a safety belt around your waist is sufficient, but it is not. Remember -- it's not a given you'll be conscious during or after a fall, so righting yourself quickly may not be possible. Hanging from a waist belt will kill you in minutes.

A full-body harness is the only way to go. You might think it will be too cumbersome or bulky, but a harness really does not interfere with hunting, and I promise -- you will learn to trust and depend on your harness. Eventually, it will be the first thing you grab when you head to your treestand.

I would recommend against buying a harness system that does not include a lineman's belt option. The lineman's belt ensures safe climbing, and it frees both of your hands for trimming branches and hanging stands.

One "harness hassle" you'll likely encounter is long, dangling straps. Do not allow these strap ends to twist and flutter in the breeze to attract attention. Customize your harness by first putting on the maximum clothing you might wear in cold weather. Then put the harness on and adjust the straps for a comfortable fit. If your harness has lots of excess strap, mark the strap to leave about six inches of excess, and cut the strap at the mark. To prevent fraying, "seal" the ends with a lighter or small propane torch.

Another option is to wear the harness underneath outer clothing. This prevents straps from dangling and gear from clinking against buckles. However, the safety lanyard will have to run out the back of your collar, which may be un-comfortable. If you fall, your jacket will pull up and crowd your face, so keep it slightly open at the collar. Some jackets have holes sewn into the back to accommodate a harness tether.

Keep in mind -- simply wearing a harness isn't enough. Studies have shown that more than 70 percent of treestand accidents occur while hunters are ascending, descending, or making the transition into or out of a treestand. To ensure total safety during these dangerous moments, use a climbing system of some type. These systems consist of a heavy rope that attaches to the tree near your treestand. Before you start to climb, you attach your safety tether to the rope, via a prussic knot or similar sliding device, and slide the tether up as you climb (down as you descend). With such a system, you are connected to the tree at all times.

Listed on the next pages are some quality safety harnesses. Choose one and wear it. Do it for yourself. Do it for your family.