Tree Stand Accidents- Scientific Consulting

08/18/2025

The 2025-26 Deer season is still a little way off, but it isn't TOO early to start checking and replacing, as needed, your tree-stands and straps, your ladder stands and straps, any ladders you use, and anything that elevates you--including elevated shooting houses. If your stand has been out there since last season--BE EXTRA CAREFUL!! Weather, animals, and tree growth can render these stands UNsafe!!
Don't be careless- scores of hunters are injured due to failing straps and other deer-stand issues.
Make sure your safety harness is in good shape and wear it every time you leave the ground!!
Be cautious! Stay safe.

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11/02/2024

The 24-25 Season is underway! Be CAREFUL--stay healthy to hunt again. Be careful, especially when hunting from treestands!

Have a great and SAFE season.

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07/15/2024

Summit users!! Pls be careful, as you climb or descend, the cable stops can catch on bark and disconnect the cable from the bracket. Plus, you can accidentally place the cable stop on the very front of the bracket (i.e. NOT inside the bracket) and it will hold the cable--but can dislodge up or down! Dislodging down into the bracket is no problem, but if it pops out the top...
Plus be careful NOT to step in the hole in the foot platform next to the tree.
Be careful! Don't want anyone hurt!

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09/29/2022

It's time for 22-23 Deer season. If you hunt from an elevated stand, please wear a fall-arrest system from the moment you leave the ground until you return. Every year hunters are seriously injured/killed in falls from heights.
Enjoy your season and STAY SAFE.

07/10/2021

Wearing a rock climbing harness may provide the BEST fall safety for hunters because it is easier to don, and MUCH easier to self-rescue. Think about it:
Rock climbers PLAN to fall,
They usually MUST self-rescue,
And, sitting in a rock climbing harness is FAR, FAR more comfortable than hanging in a full-body harness.

Give it a try at your local climbing gym.

01/25/2021

Let's think about treestand safety harnesses for a minute. I am wearing a rock-climbing harness now. It is DESIGNED for FALLS and for SELF-RESCUE--which is what deer hunters need. It is simple, inexpensive, and attaches from the front. If you fall, self-rescue is substantially easier. Plus, it is easy to don and doff jackets, etc. as needed, is light weight, and pretty easy to don in the dark. It can easily be clipped to your backpack so you can don and doff at the tree. I added a small side pouch to hold my up-haul line and my strap that attaches the harness to the tree strap. Happy to discuss this approach with anyone. We all need to be tied-in from ground to stand, and back to ground, and this may help more hunters to comply. We gotta be tied in!!!

09/14/2020

09/14/2020

Hey Folks. Get those stands and fall arrest harnesses out and give them a GOOD look over. Don't take ANY chances whatsoever! It's NOT worth a major injury. If in doubt--THROW it out!
I am working on 2 cases where a material failure resulted in a permanent hunt-ending injury. Review safety instructions, watch the safety videos, and wear your fall arrest harness--tied in. Deer hunting is a terrific sport that requires SAFETY AWARENESS!!

08/14/2019

It's mid-August, and though it is very HOT, it's time to start thinking about the coming season. A bit of preparation now can reduce the risk of making a hurry-up mistake.

1) ANY deer stand that has been left outside needs to be discarded. If you have ANY stands consisting of boards nailed into trees- DO NOT use them and remove the lower steps to keep anyone else from using them. These are an ACCIDENT waiting to happen!
2) Inspect all portable stands. Any straps, cables etc. that need replacement should be ordered NOW and these stands cannot be used until they are safe.
3) If you have gained some body weight since last season, lose it before this one. If you weigh more, the stress on your stands will be greater-- so be EXTRA careful!
4) If the heat and summer sched have caused you to reduce your exercise, this would be a good time to start back. Check with your Primary Care Physician if there is ANY doubt about your health or ability to exercise.
5) REplace any safety harnesses or other equipment now so you won't be tempted to take a chance.
6) Pause a moment and think about those great hunts coming up. Let's get ready now!

Blessings,