September 26, 2010
Before entering that treestand, wear a harness
Over time, I’ll probably be accused of sounding like a broken record.
But this is one message that bears repeating. To do so, I’ll rely on military veteran and hunter Marc Anthony (Hickory Corners), who had a typical hunt go horribly wrong one autumn.
“Wear a bloody safety harness,” said Anthony.
Nearly 12 years ago, Anthony fell from a treestand while deer hunting. The accident left him a paraplegic. Today the Quest Ministries International member speaks publicly on the topic, urging hunters to always wear a safety harness.
…
Between 2005 and 2007, there were 41 treestand-related deaths reported to the Consumer Products Safety Commission. States don’t keep statistics on the number of treestand-related falls or injuries, but John Louk, president of the Treestand Manufacturers’ Association, believes hundreds occur annually.
“When I talk to state wildlife agencies, they’re saying they have 10 to 15 serious injuries each year,” said Louk. “Most states recognize there are more treestand-related accidents than firearm accidents annually.”.