October 18, 2010
When is an accident not an accident?
Here’s a troubling statistic. In addition to eight hunting incidents involving firearms last year, there were four that involved falls from tree stands. All four reports state, “The hunter was not using a Fall-Arrest System/Full Body Harness.” Unfortunately, one incident was fatal.
The first victim was an archery hunter. The 33-year-old was setting up a ladder stand and adjusting the strap when the stand tilted; he fell 17 feet and broke his leg.
Also last fall, the strap holding a hunter’s climbing stand broke, and he fell 25 feet, broke an ankle and had to hobble for three hours to get help.
Another hunter climbed to the top rung of her stand ladder and grabbed something to pull herself up. It gave, and she fell, landing flat on her back. She was airlifted from the woods for treatment.