Hunting News

When archery season opens statewide Sept. 29, the Game Commission reminds hunters to hunt safely and wear a harness, in an effort to reduce the number of treestand injuries.

Unfortunately, hundreds of hunters in Pennsylvania have been seriously injured in tree stand-related accidents. Fall-arrest systems and full-body harnesses have the ability to save lives and are the best methods for keeping hunters from being hurt in a fall.

Important safety tips to remember:
• Make sure the harness is on before climbing the ladder.
• Read the manufacturers’ warnings and instructions before using the stand. Call the manufacturer with any questions or concerns.
• Practice climbing before the season begins and use all provided safety devices. The transitions in and out of the stand are the most dangerous times.
• Plan to use a haul rope to pull gear, including unloaded firearms and bows, to the tree stand from the ground once safely and properly positioned.
• Be prepared to self-rescue, should a fall occur. We recommend carrying a screw-in step or a relief strap so that you can hang comfortably until you are rescued, or so you can rescue yourself.
• Hunters should let someone know where they’ll be hunting and when they plan to return home.

Every hunter’s experience in the woods should be a positive and safe one. Wearing a harness and taking these safety precautions seriously can ensure that archers come home safely. Click here for more tree stand safety tips.