September is designated as National Tree Stand Safety Awareness Month—a timely reminder of how crucial tree stand safety is, and why it must be practiced every time. The most straightforward approach is to use the new ABCs of Hunting Saddle Safety and revisions to the ABCs of Tree Stand Safety, as outlined in the recent release by the Tree Stand Safety Awareness Foundation (TSSA). “This industry has made significant progress in reducing the number of tree stand falls,” said Brian Murphy, HuntStand’s Vice President of Corporate Relations. “However, avoidable accidents continue to occur, with 85 percent of fall victims not wearing a full-body harness. Hunters must wear full-body harnesses and stay connected from the time they leave the ground until they return safely. We are proud to be a long-standing supporter of TSSA’s mission to reduce the number of tree stand and hunting saddle-related accidents.”
With big-game seasons kicking off across the country, now is the time for hunters to review—and be ready to put into practice—the essential steps for staying safe when hunting from an elevated stand.
A: Always remove and inspect your equipment. Practice at ground level.
Just like any outdoor pursuit, hunting carries the risk of equipment failure. Straps, harnesses, and even tree stands weaken due to use and damage over time, sometimes even with no apparent signs of wear. Safety checks, with feet planted firmly on the ground, paired with using each piece of gear as intended, significantly minimize the risk of failure.
Whether you prefer to hunt using a hang-on stand, climbing stand, ladder stand, a hunting saddle, or you hunt with a buddy, the same recommended rules apply. Adhering to the ABCs of stand safety is vital to both your safety and your success in the field.
B: Buckle on your full-body harness securely.
We’ve all heard the stories. Falls from tree stands—even from relatively low heights—can result in significant injuries, causing broken bones, spinal injuries, or worse. Ensuring your full-body harness is in good condition, attached appropriately, and securely fastened to your person drastically reduces the chance of becoming seriously hurt if the unexpected happens.
Full-body harnesses like Muddy’s Safeguard and the Elevate Pro from Hawk come with everything needed to stay safe afield—lineman’s rope, tree strap, suspension relief strap, and more—and are lightweight, padded, adjustable, and flexible to allow for 360-degree movement in the stand.
C: Connect to the tree before you leave the ground and slow down.
If an accident occurs, it’s often the result of skipping safety steps or rushing into an elevated stand. Experience does not necessarily decrease risk in this case. Even seasoned hunters accustomed to hunting from tree stands run the risk of slips or falls, especially when climbing in adverse weather conditions.
Safety lines, offered by numerous brands including both Hawk and Muddy, do just what their name implies: ensure your safety from the moment you leave the ground, stopping you immediately in the event of a fall.
D: Destination share your stand location for each hunt.
Perhaps the easiest way to help protect yourself before heading into the woods is to share details of the location you’ll be hunting with a close friend, family member, or someone else who will be ready to respond—and find you quickly—if help is needed. Ultimately, practicing these steps every time is about keeping yourself as safe as possible, so you can continue to enjoy and experience the thrill of hunting for many seasons yet to come.
“On behalf of the TSSA Foundation Board of Directors, we sincerely thank brands like HuntStand, Hawk, and Muddy, as well as the rest of the GSM Outdoors organization, for their continued commitment to raising awareness about tree stand safety,” said Glen Mahew, TSSA President. “Your media promotion, product contributions, and financial support provide critical resources for fulfilling our mission to reduce tree stand and hunting saddle-related accidents through promotion, education, and best practices.”
