Tree Stand Safety
How Hunters Can Prevent Falls This Season
11/6/2025
Joseph Mulrooney, WI DNR Recreation Warden
Tree stand-related
incidents are among the leading causes of hunting injuries each year, according
to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). As firearm deer
hunting season opens this month across Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan,
hunters are reminded to make safety a top priority.
“You’re much more
likely to get injured from a fall than a gunshot wound,” warns MichaelClark, MD, EMS Medical Director with Aspirus MedEvac. “It’s a concern that
we should definitely take precautions to avoid.”
Falls from tree
stands can lead to severe injuries, including fractures and potentially
life-threatening conditions. Dr. Clark explains that "many of these
injuries are orthopedic, including wrist, ankle, and femur fractures,"
while also emphasizing the risk of head, neck, chest and abdominal injuries. He
adds, “The higher up you go, the more likely you are to sustain a significant
injury.” Falls from heights over 10 feet, which is common with most tree
stands, tend to result in more serious trauma.
To ensure a safe
hunting experience, Dr. Clark and Joseph Mulrooney, a Recreation Warden with
the WDNR, offer the following tree stand safety and emergency preparedness
tips:
Safe Tree Stand
Practices
- Stay Connected:
“Every year we have dozens of people falling out of trees, which is why we
highly recommend staying connected to the tree with a tree strap,” says
Mulrooney. A tree strap provides stability while climbing and helps prevent
falls.
- Wear Safety
Harnesses: Always wear a safety harness when using a tree stand. “Not wearing a
safety harness is one of the most common reasons we see people falling out of
tree stands,” says Mulrooney.
- Inspect Gear: Check
your tree stands and straps before the season for any wear or damage. “Go out
in early fall and make sure your straps are in good shape,” Mulrooney advises.
“Straps are cheap. A broken leg isn’t.”
- Use Haul Lines:
Never carry gear while climbing. Use haul lines to lift your equipment safely.
- Know Your Location:
Use a GPS app to provide precise coordinates if needed in an emergency.
Emergency
Preparedness
- Develop a Safety
Plan: “Make sure your family knows where you are and when you plan to be back
so if something happens and you don’t return, they know where to look for you,”
says Dr. Clark.
- Prepare for
Communication: Keep your phone fully charged and note key landmarks. If cell
service is poor, Dr. Clark adds, “Many times a text message can go through when
a regular phone call can’t.”
- Bring a First Aid
Kit: Carry a comprehensive kit with essentials like a tourniquet and
wound-packing materials.
- Assess Your
Situation: If you’re injured and alone, perform “a quick head-to-toe assessment
of yourself,” Dr. Clark advises. Understanding your condition can help you
communicate effectively with rescuers.
- Stay in Place: If
movement could worsen your condition, remain still, conserve energy, and wait
for help to arrive.
By following these
expert recommendations, hunters can greatly reduce their risk of injury and
ensure a safer hunting season.
For more tips and
resources, visit your state’s DNR website:
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