There is no doubt that treestands revolutionized deer hunting.   Hunters have long been perched in trees waiting for game to appear, but only in the last 20 years have commercial stands been widely available.  With the advent of these stands, the deer hunting success ratio has greatly increased.  Hunting from on high prevents scent and movement from being detected by deer and allows a much great field of vision for the hunter.  Deer no longer flee when the hunter moves his gun or bow for a shot and an itchy nose is not an exercise in extreme self-discipline.

The advantages of a tree stand are many, but there is a high price to pay for carelessness.  Unfortunately, accidents involving treestands appear to be rising as more hunters take to the trees and familiarity leads to complacence.    A review of accident data for that last few years shows three primary factors involved in treestand mishaps: equipment failure, tree failure and no safety equipment in use.

While reading accident reports involving equipment failure, the most common thread seen is poor maintenance.   Like all mechanical objects, stands will eventually show wear and tear.  Bolts can break and welds often start to crack after years of use.   Homemade stands fail very frequently.  These stands are often poorly constructed or left in the field year-round, both of which contribute to failure and accidents.

Trees used for support are another common source of injury.   Many hunters simply climb high to set on a limb and wait.  Unfortunately, tree limbs often show no sign of weakness until the hunter is falling through space.  After a hard landing, the tree limb then sometimes clubs the hunter into unconsciousness.   Some hunters use branches as a base for homemade stands, often with the same results.

Even when stands and trees fail, safety equipment prevents injury.  Unfortunately, most safety apparatus is either inadequate or not used at all.  The most commonly seen safety strap is a single belt around the waist then fastened to a tree.  This will prevent serious injury or death, but often results in minor injuries when it cinches tight during a fall.  A better alternative is a diaper sling made from a simple loop of inexpensive climbing-grade nylon webbing held together with a carabiner.  The materials cost around $10 and are dramatically safer in a fall.  Instructions and supplies can be obtained in any outdoor shop that sells climbing gear.

The final factor in all hunting accidents is the human factor.  Even with safe, properly used equipment, a fool can still manage to kill himself.  Follow these tips and your trip up a tree can be safe and enjoyable:

1. Always use a safety strap or harness.
2. Don safety straps BEFORE stepping onto the platform.
3. Don’t lean too far out from a stand or move around excessively.
4. Use a rope to pull up your UNLOADED weapon any other gear, such as a backpack.
5. Alcohol use is inviting disaster.
6. Inspect the stand frequently, checking bolts, welds, chains and straps for security. If something is broken, don’t promise to fix it “next time”.  It could be your last time up a tree.

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