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One of the more common causes of hunting accidents in recent years do not involve guns but falling out of tree stands. Capt.Terry Bradbery, Hunter Education Coordinator, especially encouraged hunters to use safety harnesses and haul lines when using a tree stand.
He offers these safety tips to remind hunters to be more safety conscious when using tree stands.
1. Use portable rather than permanent tree stands. They reduce damage to the tree and afford the hunter flexibility in moving the stand location.
2. Tell someone where you are hunting. Leave a note at your vehicle detailing your location, so you can be found if you do not return.
3. Securely attach the tree stand no higher than you feel comfortable in jumping safely from the tree.
4. Use a safety harness to secure yourself to the tree. Harnesses made for this purpose are much safer than rope.
5. Use an equipment haul line to get your unloaded gun or bow into or out of the stand. Never climb with any equipment.
6. Keep your tree stand in good working condition, replacing any worn or missing parts.
7. Practice using your tree stand close to the ground to become familiar on how it reacts to your body weight and movements.
8. Thoroughly inspect a permanent tree stand from a previous season and make any necessary repairs. Decaying wood and natural tree growth could make permanent stands unsafe.
9. Select straight, live trees for tree stand sites, inspecting for bee^s or wasp nests and animal dens and dead wood before erecting the stand.
10. Stay awake! A common cause of tree stand accidents is falling asleep. Don^t climb a tree after taking medication that makes you drowsy. If you start to nod off, get down to the ground immediately.
Uploaded: 9/23/1999
Uploaded: 9/23/1999