Missouri Department of Conservation urges harness use in tree stands during hunting after man found dead in east Columbia
Marie Moyer
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Missouri Department of Conservation is reminding hunters to inspect their tree stands and clip on their harnesses after a man died Tuesday after falling out of a tree stand in East Columbia.
“If you’re in the tree stand itself, really anybody’s at risk for getting injured, suffering from fractured bones or other injuries,” MU Health Care Dr. Christopher Sampson said.
According to the International Hunter Education Association, tree stand accidents account for 300-500 deaths and 6,000 injuries in the U.S. annually. Common injuries are broken bones, dislocations and concussions.
The Tree Stand Manufacturers Association also found that around 82% of hunters who fell out of tree stands were not wearing harnesses.
“The most common injuries are falls,” Sampson said. “We get people who either fall from the deer stand or fall getting into the deer stand.”
Adam Doerhoff, the Missouri Department of Conservation agent for Boone County, also reports many injuries happen when climbing in and out of the stand.
Before heading out, it’s recommended that hunters make a plan with someone they know to establish where they will be and how long they will be out. Fixed stands should also be checked annually for rust, rotted support straps and rotted tree trunks before settling in.
“It can be as simple as a text message, ‘Hey, I’m going to be in the stand down by the creek and I’ll be back just a little bit after dark,'” Doerhoff said. “There’s been times somebody’s fallen, and whether they’re alive or not, nobody can find them.”
Doerhoff also recommends investing in a headlamp and tow rope to lift equipment into the stand. He added hunters should be harnessed once they are in the stand.
“A lot of falls are caused by people having too much stuff in their hands, or missing a step, or tripping on something in the dark, just those two accessories right there can prevent a lot of falls,” Doerhoff said.
In general, Doerhoff suggests hunters purchase a tree stand instead of building one from scratch. When hunting with children, he advises using a tree blind instead of a stand, since doors and zipper enclosures can help prevent slips and falls. He adds that it’s also important to know one’s limits when using a stand.
“I used Hang on Tree stands for decades, I’m done with them, it’s getting harder for me at my age and then making that transition from that last step onto the platform,” Doerhoff said. “There are a lot of different kinds of tree stands and hunting blinds and I’ve decided to change what I use as well.”