Conservation Corner: December 17, 2001

Be Careful In Tree Stands
by James L. Cummins

William M. McKell, M.D., is a resident of Gautier, Mississippi, and a physician at the Singing River Hospital System in Ocean Springs and Pascagoula. He also writes for Wildlife Mississippi Magazine and in a recent article on tree stands he stated, "There seems to be more written about gin rummy's influence on premature labor than about deer stands - shows how we rank, huh?" That's good!

Seriously, in recent years, hunters have been either seriously injured or killed due to falls while deer hunting from tree stands. A recent study conducted by the Center for Disease Control found that 52% of hunting injuries occurred when hunters fell from stands; 42% of those injuries occurred while hunters where climbing.

Dr. McKell recently found that over 20 percent of those hunters reported in the Georgia study had an elevated blood alcohol upon admission to the hospital - and half of these were morning accidents!

With that exception, many injuries could be prevented if hunters used safety belts and climbing harnesses, and followed manufacturers' instructions. Many hunters are beginning to wear a harness while on the stand, but few realize the importance of using a safety device when they are most likely to fall: while climbing.

Each style of stand has its own unique features that gives each advantages, while at the same time making them potentially dangerous. Ladder stands are often considered the safest, but can cause falls if placed on soft ground causing a sudden shift. Climbing stands can sometimes slip, something that doesn't normally happen with hang-on stands. However, with hang-on stands, hunters run the risk of falling due to slipping while climbing or installing it. With permanent stands, any number of slips, missteps, or structural failures due to exposure to the elements can cause a fall.

Certain combinations of stands, trees and weather conditions can increase the hunter's risk of fall. Combine slick bark with rain, sleet, high winds, slippery mud-packed boots and a poorly designed stand, or rely on a permanent stand that you have never hunted from or one that has been out in the elements for a year or two, and you are asking for trouble. Human factors such as the hunter's height, weight, reach, agility, coordination and balance, strength and mental alertness must be considered.

Here are several do's and don'ts of tree stands. Use a safety harness and a climbing strap. Never climb a tree with your bow or gun. Do not use a stand on a leaning or dead tree. Avoid maples, hickories, and beech trees. Inspect equipment and check for damage. And finally, let other people know where you are hunting.

Hunt safely, fellow Mississippians. As Dr. McKell said, "I don't have a lot of friends and prefer not to lose the ones I do have."

James L. Cummins is Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Stoneville, Mississippi. Known as "Wildlife Mississippi," the Foundation is a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi.