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According to the Mayo Clinic, 3,000 to 4,000 people are injured in the U.S. each year due to falls from tree stands. Hunting is generally a safe and enjoyable activity, however, falls such as these can result in significant injury or death.
The good news is that these falls are preventable.
Odds are you spends months preparing for hunting season. You renew your license, print your tags, clean your rifle, stock up arrows, set your game cams, talk trash to your buddies - but do you prepare a safety plan?
Most accidents involving tree stands occur due to incorrectly using equipment, using damaged equipment, mistakes moving in or out of the stand, or the hunter's lack of knowledge about their equipment.
Here are 12 Tree Stand Safety Tips to help you prevent falls and ensure safe and successful hunts this year.
Tip #1: Invest in a five-point harness
A harness is the simplest an probably most effective safety precaution you can take if you use a tree stand. You can find these at any sporting good store that sells hunting gear, and your tree stand manufacturer may even make on especially for your stand. Just be sure to find one that fits you properly and that you will actually wear.
Tip #2: Find the perfect tree
When your scouting for the upcoming season, we recommend looking for a live, sturdy tree that will support your weight as well as the weight of your gear. You may find a great tree with perfect sight lines for spotting, but this tree will likely be too small to support your weight. Be sure you check the size requirements recommended for your stand and look for a tree with rough, scaly bark for straps to dig into - oak, maple, or pine make good choices.
Tip #3 - Get your beauty sleep
We all know accidents can happen when we're tired. Be sure to get plenty of rest the night before the big day.
Tip #4 - Say no to drugs and alcohol
Drugs and alcohol don't mix well with tree stands...or guns. Save the cold one for after you bag that big buck.
Tip #5 - Assess your physical fitness
Safely climbing in and out of your stand requires physical effort. Be sure you have the strength and stamina to make the climb. You may need to skip the stand if you've recently had surgery, an injury, or experienced a health incident.
Tip #6 - Provide a hunting plan
Our family shares our locations through our phones, but cell service isn't always reliable. Make sure someone knows where you will be, where your stand is, and what time you plan to return. Have a plan to check in when you're safely back on the ground.
Tip #7 - Inspect your equipment
Check for broken or loose parts, ensure straps are intact, and that the steps are secure. Double check your harness and make sure it's in good condition.
Tip #8 - Use a climbing rope
Remain strapped to the tree with a climbing rope during your climb with a rope equipped with a classic prusik knot and connect your five-point harness with a carabiner. A prusik knot will slide easily along the rope as your climb but will tighten fully if you fall. Here is a helpful video from REI on how to tie a proper prusik knot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFHxQ5fiUvI.
Tip #9 - Maintain 3 points of contact
Be sure to keep 3 points of contact with the tree or ladder at all times while you climb up and down. This may be 2 feet and 1 hand, or 2 hands and 1 foot.
Tip #10 - Climb higher than the stand
When using a climbing or hang-on stand, be sure to climb a few steps higher than the seat of your stand to give you a better angle to get to the seat and check that the stand is secure before getting in.
Tip #11 - Use a haul line
Use a rope to lift and lower your weapon, pack, and any other gear you may have. This will allow you to focus on climbing up without unnecessary weight. Be sure your weapon is unloaded and on safe!
Tip #12 - Clip in
Once you are firmly in place, slip your harness to the tree stand BEFORE unclipping from the climbing rope.
Once you've had a successful hunt (or have simply given up), follow these steps in reverse order to come down. Remember to lower weapons and packs first before taking extra care to unclip from the stand and onto the climbing rope. Make your way down, maintaining 3 points of contact, and then follow your hunting plan to let your family know you've safely reached the ground.
Check out this helpful video by the Mayo Clinic featuring hunter and trauma surgeon Dr. David Ciresi for more tips on tree stand safety:
Do you have any other tips? Share them in the comments.
We wish you a safe and successful hunting season!
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