Archery deer season is less than a calendar week away. On October ane, bow hunters from around the country will head out into the wood and fields in apprehension of the solace and enjoyment only a bow hunt tin can provide. While some of the hunters volition exist hunting from ground blinds, many people will be looking to get off the footing and into their favorite tree. Hunting from an elevated position especially a tree stand provides an opportunity dissimilar any other. Even so, one time y'all leave the footing there is an inherent danger that needs to be considered when hunting from a tree stand. According to the Treestand Safety Association, treestand accidents are the #1 cause of injuries and deaths to deer hunters.

Below yous volition detect some helpful tips from the U. Due south. Fish and Wild animals Service on how to be safe when hunting from a treestand.

  1. Before the hunt, know your equipment. Read and sympathize the manufacturer's instructions and warnings before you use your treestand and Total-Body Harness (FBH).
  2. Check stands (including straps and chains) every season and before each use for signs of wear, fatigue, cracks, missing nuts or bolts and supervene upon as necessary.
  3. Practice at ground level with your treestand and FBH with another person present before the hunt.
  4. Learn how to use your FBH with a suspension release device. Note: Waist belts or upper-trunk-only designs of safety harnesses should never be used and can cause death or serious injury.
  5. Select the correct tree for your stand. Select a healthy, directly tree that is the right size for your treestand. Cheque the tree for insect nests or beast dens. Avoid using climbing stands on smooth-barked trees, especially during icy or moisture weather.
  6. Clear debris from the base of the tree to minimize injury from a fall and to ensure a safe base of operations if using a ladder stand.
  7. Know your limitations. If yous feel sleepy or unsure about the climb, a ground blind will provide yous a safe alternative hunting option.
  8. Have a chase program. Permit a reliable person know where y'all will exist when you volition return and who is with you. Plans and maps make information technology easier for others to notice you lot in the upshot of a mishap.
  9. During the hunt, wearable an FBH. Merely owning an FBH does non brand yous rubber, yous must take it out of your pack and article of clothing information technology.
  10. Make certain your FBH is attached to the tree as soon every bit y'all begin to climb using climbing stands and/or climbing aids. In the instance of ladder stands, adhere the FBH before securing the platform to the tree or stepping onto information technology.
  11. Wearable an FBH at all times while using an elevated stand. Do not take chances. When climbing a ladder, proceed three points of contact with the ladder at all times. Both easily and a pes or both of your feet and ane hand should be used to support your torso weight when using a ladder. When using a platform stand, climb higher than the stand and so step down onto the platform. Slowly put your weight onto your stand to be certain of your balance.
  12. Employ boots with non-slip soles to avoid slipping, especially in wet weather condition.
  13. Never conduct equipment when climbing. Apply a haul line to raise and lower equipment.
  14. In the stand, properly adjust your FBH, whether continuing or sitting, keep the tether line altitude (between you and the tree) every bit short as possible with no slack in the tether while in the seated position. This will minimize the distance in example of a fall.
  15. Use a booty line. Always raise and lower your firearm, bow or other equipment with a haul line. Make certain firearms are unloaded earlier attaching to a haul line and do not attach the haul line most the trigger or trigger guard. Make sure broadheads are covered prior to raising or lowering a bow with a haul line.
  16. If you fall, stay calm. By planning, you can avoid additional problems.
  17. Have emergency equipment such as a pocketknife, cell phone, flashlight and/or whistle on your person.
  18. Practice the 3 R's: recover, relief and rescue. Attempt to recover and return to your stand. If this is non possible, practice your legs past pushing against the tree, using another form of motion or your pause relief device until assist arrives.
  19. Call for assist immediately.

Each twelvemonth 1,000s of lives are changed forever by treestand accidents. Keep these tips in mind to increment your chances of having an blow

 For more information on treestand safety become to National Bowhunter Educational activity Foundation: www.nbef.org or www.projectstand.net

 International Hunter Education Association: www.ihea.com

Or the Tree stand up Manufacturers Clan

Good luck in the Woods