SPRINGDALE — One of the most useful tools in deer hunting can also be the most dangerous.
Falls from tree stands are the most common cause of accidents for hunters during the archery, muzzle-loader and modern firearms deer seasons.
Tree stand falls outnumber shooting accidents by far during the modern fi rearms deer season, said Joe Huggins, hunter education coordinator for the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.
Modern firearms deer season opens Saturday.
Wearing a safety harness in the stand can prevent most falls, but not all of them. Huggins said most falls happen while hunters are getting in or out of their stands when they aren’t wearing a harness.
A fall of just a few feet can injure or kill.
“It really doesn’t matter how high you are. We actually had a fatality where a hunter using a climbing stand was 50 inches up and fell backwards. He couldn’t get himself upright and eventually expired,” Huggins said.
Huggins said tree stand safety starts with quality full-body safety harness. These cost $60 to $100. “That seems like a lot, but those medical bills are going to be a lot more expensive.”
Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back, Huggins added.
Follow his advice and the season’s memories will be of graceful deer and not a hospital stay.
Outdoor, Pages 8 on 11/12/2009
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