OR: Hunter is critical after hanging upside down from tree stand for 2 days

[C3D]

An Oregon hunter is in critical condition after falling from his tree stand and getting tangled in his harness over 20 feet in the air, hanging upside down for two days.

The man identified as Eddie Voelker, 70, suffered critical injuries and is in a medically induced coma after being airlifted from the area near Umatilla National Forest to a hospital in Richland, Wash., . . .

Oregon hunter in critical condition after hanging upside down from tree stand for two days

 

[togmaster]

At least he is alive. Had an acquaintance (one of the guys from the neighborhood) fall out of a tree stand about 20 years ago. He passed away.

 

[Bushmaster]

No hunter needs to be 20ft in air. At the height You can't even see through the woods, your up in freaking tree branches area LOL. And the drop shot angle SUCKS !!!

 

[HighlandLofts]

Shit happens, that's why you should have some one know where you will be for things like this.
Twenty feet up would be high in the woods back there, but If it is sparse like some woods I have seen and using a rifle it wouldn't be to bad.

 

[Airborneguy]

Yeah I go about 23’ at my main spot. The trees there all start having branches about 25’+. Sullivan County.

 

[Twogunwilly]

Hmm, some season sure starts early there

 

[Airborneguy]

Hmm, some season sure starts early there

I was hunting with a rifle last week on nuisance permits in NY.

 

[Bushmaster]

I was hunting with a rifle last week on nuisance permits in NY.

I told ya... It is freakin awesome LOL.

 

[Bushmaster]

I was hunting with a rifle last week on nuisance permits in NY.

Damn it,,,, You were NOT hunting.... You were killing wildlife, per DEC ... !!!

 

[Airborneguy]

Going back next week I hope!

 

[Acer-m14]

I'd rather just fall and hit the ground .. harnesses suck ass if you can't self rescue yourself after a fall .. you need knowledge and strength .. i used to have both .. getting old sucks .. .. i just stay on the ground now .. i do miss rock climbing ..

 

[HighlandLofts]

The tree stands I built were big enough to lay down in and take a nap, I had 4 foot plywood all the way around and a roof overhead.

If you fell from there you shouldn't be above ground level.

Some woods are more open then others. In open woods I'd rather be as high as possble using a rifle.
My bow days are done.

 

[Acer-m14]

@HighlandLofts get a X-bow could still stay on the ground in sniper gear

 

[HighlandLofts]

I only hunt deer back there in New Yorkistan and sometimes in Pennsylvania. I get back there a few days before the opener of the regular season, I go up to the Old Forge area with my brother for a day or two then hunt broome/chenango county area. No time for X-bow hunting,
I do have one but never fired a single bolt out of it yet.
As far as deer hunting here in this part of Washington state, it isn't worth it, way to many cougar in the area. They have the deer and elk in this area depleted.
If by chance I see a deer on the way out to shoot or on the way back I'd pop.one, but that hasn't happened in several years. And I don't expect it to.

 

[FrankenCub]

Some harnesses shouldn't be used, they're known for holding you upside down if you fall. Newer ones like I have there's no way that can happen. Even if I did slip there's only 3' of slack, enough for movement while hunting but not enough to go far. I wouldn't use one but I have a bad habit of falling asleep in the woods sitting in the sun lol.

 

[misunderestimated]

Getting mature,

As I think of this story it reminds me we are all getting maturer, What was ok to do at 45 may not be such a wise choice at 70. I was just in a spot last week 2 days after my 55th birthday on a 40' ladder with my replacement knee, all the extra 60lbs I am over weight , with my carpel tunnel operated on hands, worn out shoulders and something went a little sideways and it was my reminder I should NOT be doing some things any more. My peers of the same age or older will understand stand. the younger guys may not. We are No Longer indestructible. We were on a family trip last year, in Tenn I had to intervene in a situation afterwords my dad said told me to stay clear of trouble as he cant back me up the same as when he was younger. Imagine a 77 year old man telling his then 54 year old he don't want to getting into scraps anymore.

 

[HighlandLofts]

I found the reason why he got into that predicament, we just took the kids to FUNKO in Everett WA
And took a picture of this tee shirt, he probably seen one and figured it would be fun to hang upside down like a kid.

 

[Bushmaster]

Going back next week I hope!

And what is it that your going back to do ???

 

[Airborneguy]

Kill, kill, kill without mercy.

 

[Bushmaster]

Kill, kill, kill without mercy.

Finally gets it LOL... Doing a job, not HUNTING. Hunting has Ethics... Just think of movie (The Professional). Just doing a job. !!

 

[Bushmaster]