The carabiner attaches the loop of the full-body harness around the hunter to the sliding loop of the lifeline that goes from the ground to the top of the stand to keep the hunter safe going up and down when hunting from a tree. The cost is around $40. Photo courtesy of Hunter Safety System

Common sense is the cornerstone of hunter safety. The 2024-25 hunting season in New York saw a significant decrease in hunting-related shooting incidents and tree stand/elevated hunting incidents, marking the second lowest on record. Most hunters are aware of the line between safety and risk, but some may need a reminder. It’s all about using common sense to stay safe in the field.

Interim NYSDEC Commissioner Mahar said. “Thanks to New York’s exceptional Hunter Education Program and hunters adhering to New York hunting regulations, requirements, and firearm safety, hunting continues to be a safe and enjoyable activity for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and visitors each year,” interim NYSDEC commissioner Sean Mahar said.

DEC documented 11 HRSIs in 2024, including four two-party firearm incidents and seven self-inflicted incidents. Tragically, one of these incidents resulted in a self-inflicted fatality. Two incidents involved individuals who were not legally hunting. The actual hunting safety statistics are available on the DEC website. DEC also documented 11 Elevated Hunting Incidents in 2024, though not all falls are reported. Of these incidents, nine involved hunters failing to wear a safety harness or failing to connect the harness to a tree. Two of the falls were fatal; the others resulted in serious injuries. It’s important to remember that these incidents could have been prevented by properly using a fall-arrest harness system, where the hunter remains safely connected to the tree stand and the tree.

Tree stand safety is a fundamental part of New York’s Hunter Safety Program, as EHIs continue to be a major cause of hunting-related injuries. Properly using elevated stands and stand safety equipment is key to preventing injuries and fatalities. When used correctly, a harness and fall-arrest system keep the hunter connected from the moment they leave the ground to the stand above and all the way back down to the ground. It’s a reminder that many, if not all, tree stand incidents are preventable when hunters follow the ‘ABCs’ of tree stand safety.

Without getting complicated, use common sense to always inspect the tree and the tree stand before use. Replace worn or broken parts and straps of the tree stand before the season. We were raised without ropes or harnesses if you’re a white-beard hunter like me. That’s from the days of Rin-Tin-Tin and Gunsmoke. Today, we are smarter. If you’re going vertical, always use a full-body harness with a fall arrest lifeline system that connects to the tree before your feet leave the ground and stay connected going up and down. Use a haul line to raise your firearm, bow or crossbow into the stand; this keeps both hands free for safety during the ascent or descent.

All first-time hunters, bowhunters, and trappers in New York are required to successfully complete a hunter or trapper safety course and pass the final exam before being eligible to purchase a hunting or trapping license. These additional efforts in New York state to increase public awareness about hunting safety have sharply decreased hunting-related incidents from decades ago. For example, 166 HRSIs were reported in 1966. Many lives have been saved, but it all starts with each of us and common sense. The best part of the day is when we return home to our family safe and sound and you say, “Hey guys, I need your help to clean this deer.”

Gotta love the outdoors.

CALENDAR

Feb. 20: Southtowns Walleye Association of WNY, monthly meeting, 7 p.m., 5895 Southwestern Blvd., Hamburg.

Feb. 21: 3-Spot Archery, fun shoot, open to public, 7 p.m., West Falls Conservation, 55 Bridge St., West Falls.

Feb. 22: Orvis Fly Tying 101, 10 a.m. to noon, at the store, 4545 Transit Road, Amherst. Register at 716-276-7200.

Feb. 22: Fisherman’s Flea market, WNY Walleye, Knights of Columbus, Hamburg, Chris Kempf, 716-400-9258.

Feb. 23: WNY 3-D Archery, league shoot, open to the public, this week at Glen Coe Conservation Club, 9869 Foote Road, Glenwood; $15, kids 12 and under are free. Info: 716-863-7342. NOTE: Send Calendar info or related outdoor news to forrestfisher35@yahoo.com.