With the firearm deer season underway, the Minnesota Department of Resources urges hunters to take precautions to avoid crippling or fatal injuries from tree stands.
Three Minnesota deer hunters died in tree stand related incidents over opening weekend, while several others were injured in non-fatal accidents.
Minnesota’s 16-foot height restriction for elevated stands was removed prior to the 2011 hunting seasons.
Captain Mike Hammer, DNR Enforcement education program coordinator, said the severity of injuries tends to increase with the distance the victim falls.
“For this reason, it makes sense to place stands as near the ground as practical. However, even short falls can cause spinal injuries and paralysis or death,” Hammer said.
Improper installation and careless use of tree stands and safety belts are also among the major causes of tree stand accidents.
Hammer said these findings prove the wisdom of checking equipment before and during the hunting season. Check moving parts of portable stands for wear, tighten loose nuts and bolts, and replace worn or rusty hardware.
"Most portable tree stands are well-designed and made of sturdy materials," Hammer said, "but they still require maintenance. Anchor straps and safety chains can get worn. Sometimes you even find cracks in metal or plastic parts. You should inspect every part of every stand before climbing into it the first time, and then check it periodically throughout the season."
Hammer said the same is true of permanent tree stands. Wood eventually rots, and nails rust and work loose.
"If you find that part of your stand is deteriorating, don't just shrug it off and tell yourself it's good enough for one more season. Ask yourself if the time you save by not fixing it right then is worth the chance of being paralyzed for the rest of your life. That's what you are really talking about."
Hammer said hunters should pay special attention to steps and ladders.
"You are going to be climbing up and down those rungs in the dark, in heavy clothing, sometimes in bad weather," Hammer said. "That is not the time you want to discover that a step is faulty."
Hammer recommended adding a non-slip covering to tree stand decks and to the upper surfaces of steps. This will help prevent loss of traction with muddy boots or in rain or snow.
-More-
The next check should involve your safety equipment. Inspect your safety harness for wear. Look over clasps to ensure they work properly. Check to be sure you have "haul rope" in your hunting gear so you can climb into your stand with hands free, and then pull your equipment up after you.
If you do not own a safety harness, invest in one. Hammer said a full-body harness is the only type that provides real protection.
Always wear your safety harness when putting your stand up in the field. If possible, also keep your harness tethered to the tree when climbing up to and down from the stand and when entering and leaving your stand. Studies of tree-stand accidents show that many falls occur at these times.
To further reduce your risk of tree-stand falls, observe the following rules:
• Closely follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing and using your portable stand.
• Choose the location of your stand carefully. Avoid trees that are leaning, dead or dying. Also avoid those with leaves, vines or other features that will prevent proper use of your stand.
• Don't leave equipment on the ground directly under you while climbing up or down. You could fall on an arrow or other item, worsening your injuries.
• Never hunt without telling someone where you will hunt and when you will return.
• Carry survival gear, including food, water, a whistle or air horn to signal for help, a blanket and matches.
