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#06–330 December 4, 2006
Tree stand safety: a hunter’s priority
 Hunters
should make safety their first priority when using tree stands. When used
properly and with safety in mind, tree stands can provide the “edge” deer
hunters need for a successful hunt. Too many times, however, tree stands can
become dangerous and deadly for experienced and inexperienced hunters alike.
With common sense and an awareness of potential hazards, tree stand users
can provide a safe and enjoyable experience.
“Each year in South Carolina deer hunters are injured, some fatally, due to
improper or careless tree stand use,” said Lt. Jim Wagers,
hunter education
coordinator for the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “Enjoy your
time in the field, so make sure to inspect your equipment,” added Wagers.”
Of tree stands on the market today, none are 100 percent foolproof. The DNR
offers the following tips for a successful and safe tree stand deer hunt:
 | Purchase a tree stand from a reputable manufacturer whose stands have
an outstanding safety record. |
| Make sure your climbing tree stand is angled into the tree when you
first attach it to the trunk. Then, as you climb up the tapering trunk,
the platform will level out and hold stable against the tree. Always wear
a climbing rope or strap while ascending or descending. |
| Wear a safety harness to prevent you from falling out of the tree
stand if you should fall asleep or lean out to make a difficult shot. |
| Buy a climbing tree stand with a shooting bar all the way around the
platform if you have a tendency to fall asleep while hunting. |
| If you use tree steps to get to and from the stand, be sure each step
is securely attached to the tree and all the way in before you begin to
climb. Also, use a safety rope around the tree you climb. |
| Use a rope to raise and lower your unloaded gun or bow and arrows up
the stand. Never carry your gun, bow or heavy load into or out of the tree
stand. Pull them up once your stand is secure. |
| Unload your gun before pulling it up to, or lowering it from, the tree
stand. |
| Make sure your tree stand is firmly attached to the tree before you
walk out on the end of the stand or stand on either side of the platform. |
| Test your stand prior to the beginning of the hunting season. Attach
it to a tree and climb up or down the tree with it before actually taking
it to the woods for a hunt. Be aware of any peculiarities the stand may
have and adjust accordingly. |
| Never put more than one person in your stand at a time unless a stand
is specifically designed by the manufacturer to hold more than one person. |
| Never trust a permanent tree stand that was previously built by
another person. Inspect all wooden parts, nuts and bolts for stability
prior to every deer season. |
| Step down onto the stand from above while securely holding onto the
tree. If the stand falls away, you are less likely to go with it. |
| Always tell someone where you are hunting, where your tree stand is
located and when you plan to return home. |
| Do not build or position a tree stand higher than 15 feet above the
ground. To get higher is difficult, hazardous and unnecessary. |
In addition to these tree stand safety recommendations always wear a
visible hat, vest or coat of international orange while deer hunting. The
use of international orange is required on all Wildlife Management Area
(WMA) lands during the gun and muzzleloader hunting seasons for deer and
hogs. All hunters must wear either a hat, coat, or vest of solid visible
international orange, except hunters for dove and duck are exempt from this
requirement while hunting those species.
Call the DNR hunter and boater education office in Columbia at (803)
734-3995 for information on DNR hunter education courses.
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