Hunting from a Tree Stand? Here are Safety Tips from Vermont F&W
OutdoorHub 10.29.12
Hunters are using tree stands much more today than they did historically. Tree stands can be helpful in some hunting situations, but they also can be dangerous. Here are some tips to get the most out of your tree stand hunting experience:
- Choose a live, straight tree.
- Buy smart. Only use stands certified by the Treestand Manufacturers’ Association (TMA).
- Inspect them each time you use them.
- Know the rules. On state lands, it is illegal to place nails or other hardware into trees or to build permanent structures. On private lands, you must have landowner permission to erect a tree stand, cut or remove trees or other plants, or to cut limbs. All stands, including ground blinds, must be marked with the owner’s name and address. More rules are on page 24 of the 2012 Fish & Wildlife Regulations book.
- Always wear a full-body safety harness, even for climbing. Most falls occur going up and down the tree and getting in and out of the stand.
- Don’t go too high. The higher you go, the vital zone on a deer decreases, while the likelihood of a serious injury increases for you.
- Never carry firearms or bows up and down trees. Always use a haul line to raise and lower all gear. Make sure your firearm is unloaded.
- Familiarize yourself with your gear before you go. The morning of opening day is poor time to put your safety belt on for the first time.
- Be careful with long-term placement. Exposure can damage straps, ropes and attachment cords. Also, the stand’s stability can be compromised over time, as the tree grows.
Hunt smart. Hunt safe. Wear Orange.
