Life can be hectic and we can find ourselves rushed, but Alison Marie reminds us that when it comes to hunting from tree stands, we must slow down and take the time to be safe this season.

Whatever the situation is, tree stand safety awareness must be brought to the forefront of our minds. Many deer hunters give tree stand safety a quick thought and doubt a fall will happen to them.

“Falls from elevated blinds (e.g. tree stands) have now replaced shooting accidents as the next serious public-health challenge related to deer hunting” (Crockett et al. 2010). When interviewing Sean Ferbrache, the Chief Financial Officer of American Hunting Lease Associated, he emphasized the top priority for preventing falls in the first place is to plan for safety.

Remember the ABCs of tree stand safety:

A. Always check your equipment

It is vital to remove your stand after each season. Inclement weather can damage your stand. Always check your cables and straps to ensure they are in working condition.

B. Buckle up!

Find a full-body harness that fits you and is snug, but isn’t cutting off circulation. Tighten the straps, and make sure you buckle each time you are ready to climb in your stand. Single-strap belts and chest harnesses can cause internal injury if you fall. Always purchase a full-body harness. Each tree stand you purchase also comes with a harness.

C. Connected

Stay connected to the tree at all times to eliminate falling. A Life Line is a great product on the market for $35 that is connected to the tree. You clip the other end to your harness, and you are protected as you climb up to your seat.

The average age for a hunter that falls out of the stand might surprise you. It typically isn’t the younger generation or the older generation. “The average age is a 46-year-old male that thinks he is safer than he has ever been, thanks to the latest hunting equipment. We have found through numerous studies, individuals that fall are not connected to the tree through a Life Line,” states Ferbrache.

The goal is to create awareness of putting safety practices into play to prevent a fall in the first place. There are steps to take to help you in the event that you do have an accident. Fall or no fall, always let someone know where you are going, and when you expect to return. If you don’t arrive home when expected, your contact can come looking for you. Also, bring your cell phone. You never know when you might need it. Plan for self-rescue by utilizing a relief strap if you fall. Pull yourself upright, or stay put until help comes to you.

For more information on the Tree Stand Safety Awareness Foundation, go to treestandsafetyawareness.org.

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