MONTGOMERY-Despite a concerted effort by the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division’s Hunter Safety Program, Alabama deer hunters are still falling out of treestands in disturbing numbers.
Plus, there has been one firearms fatality where the cardinal rule of unloading your firearm before exiting your deer stand was not followed.
Seven Alabama hunters had suffered treestand accidents as of December 1. Fortunately, there have been no fatalities in the falls, but several serious injuries were reported.
Out of the seven reported treestand accidents, only one was wearing a safety harness.
“The safety harness prevented serious injury,” said Marisa Futral, WFF’s Hunter Education
Marisa Futral, WFF’s Hunter Education Coordinator
Coordinator. “He was coming down the tree and his treestand went out from under him. He hit his face on the tree pretty hard and broke his nose. The harness kept him from getting hurt any worse.”
Futral said this many treestand accidents this early in the season is a concern.
“This is a lot of accidents for it only being through November,” she said. “Last year, we had 13 treestand accidents (two fatalities), and I think it was 12 the year before. With seven this early in the season, I hope hunters will hear about these incidents and take treestand safety more seriously. It takes only one misstep to cause serious injury or even death if you’re not wearing your safety harness and using the safety equipment.
“And we are stressing that hunters should make sure they are connected to the tree in some way when they are climbing and descending the tree. We have had several accidents where hunters have been wearing their safety harness but they fell going up or coming down the tree. There are products available now that keep hunters attached to the tree at all times. We want it to hit home that people need to be connected when their feet leave the ground until their feet hit the ground at the end of the hunt.”
Two Alabama-based companies make products that keep hunters attached while they are using ladder stands or hang-on treestands. Hunter Safety System makes the Lifeline, while Summit Treestands makes a 30-foot safety line.
Futral said she didn’t have the final report on the firearms fatality at this time.
“From what I’ve gathered from news reports, the mentor was handing the rifle down to the 15-year-old when it discharged, striking the youth in the chest,” she said. “That breaks the rules of unloading your firearm before you climb into or out of your stand, and never point your firearm at anything you don’t want to shoot.”
Two other firearms-related incidents occurred on a dove field where two hunters were peppered by shot from other hunters. No serious injuries were reported.
Futral reminds hunters of the 10 commandments of firearms safety:
- Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
- Control the muzzle of your firearm. Keep the barrel pointed in a safe direction; never point a firearm at anything that you do not wish to shoot, and insist that your shooting and hunting companions do the same.
- Be sure of your target and beyond. Positively identify your target before you fire, and make sure there are no people, livestock, roads or buildings beyond the target.
- Never shoot at water or a hard, flat surface. A ricocheting bullet cannot be controlled.
- Don’t use a scope for target identification; use binoculars.
- Never climb a tree, cross a fence or jump a ditch with a loaded firearm.
- Store guns and ammunition separately. Store firearms under lock and key, and use a gun case to transport firearms.
- Make sure your barrel and action are clear of all obstructions.
- Unload firearms when not in use. Never take someone else’s word that a firearm is unloaded. Check yourself.
- Avoid drugs and alcohol when hunting or shooting. Even some over-the-counter medicines can cause impairment.
Media Release/Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources/DAVID RAINER
