Final answer:
When climbing with a full harness or fall arrest system, a hunter should maintain three points of contact for safety purposes. This practice ensures stability and helps prevent falls by having at least two limbs in contact with the climbing surface at all times.
Step-by-step explanation:
When climbing with a full harness or fall arrest system, a hunter should always maintain three points of contact. This means having either two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand in contact with the ladder or steps at all times during ascent and descent. This practice is essential for safety and to prevent falls, ensuring that if one limb slips, the hunter still has two points of contact to maintain their balance and position.
The full harness/fall arrest system is designed to keep the hunter connected to the tree or climbing structure and to arrest (stop) a fall should it occur. However, preventing a fall is always preferable, which is why maintaining three points of contact is such a critical safety measure.