MONTGOMERY-With archery deer season opening on October 15, hunters should make tree stand safety a priority when they head back to the woods. Remember that the best way to prevent a potentially fatal accident is to wear a full-body harness and stay attached to the tree at all times when hunting from a tree stand.
Hunting in Alabama is a popular activity that provides an estimated 5.8 million man-days of recreation per year for approximately 360,000 hunters. Hunting is one of the safest outdoor-related activities. According to the National Safety Council’s study of outdoor recreation-related injuries,sports such as football, baseball, soccer, and even billiards have a much higher incident rate than hunting.
During a recent Alabama hunting season, there were five firearms related hunting incidents per 100,000 licensed hunters. While this is an exceptional safety record, we should strive to eliminate or reduce this safety record. The Alabama hunting incident rate is very similar to the rate of other southeastern states with similar hunting seasons and bag limits.
Common Causes of Alabama Hunting Incidents
- Falling from Treestands
- Failure to identify your target
- Self-inflicted incidents
The Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries recommends all hunters abide by the following basic hunter safety rules:
- Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times.
- Treat every firearm with the respect due a loaded gun.
- Be sure of your target and what is in front of it and beyond it.
- Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot.
- Wear a blaze orange cap or vest
- Use a small flashlight during dim light conditions to identify yourself as a human being
Falls from treestands are a leading cause of injuries for Alabama hunters. Please abide by the following treestand safety tips when using an elevated platform.
- Read and follow the manufacturer”s instructions prior to using an elevated platform.
- Inspect your stand and tree prior to each use.
- Always wear a fall restraint device anytime you are climbing, sitting, or descending from an elevated position.
- Always pull your gun or bow up with a pull up rope. Firearms should be unloaded, action open, and safety on.
Click here for seasons and bag limits!
Media Release/Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
