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How Treestands Kill More Hunters Than Guns
Hunter and Bass FIshing Hall-of-Famer Hank Parker Nearly Died from a Treestand Fall Last Month – Here’s What We Can All Learn from His Accident
Richard Baimbridge
October 22, 2024
How Treestands Kill More Hunters Than Guns
Hunter and Bass Fishing Hall-of-Famer Hank Parker Nearly Died from a Treestand Fall Last Month – Here’s What We Can All Learn from His Accident
by Richard Baimbridge
Outdoors legend Hank Parker perched up high in a treestand.
This past September, renowned hunter, Bass Fishing Hall-of-Famer and outdoorsman Hank Parker, host of the TV show, “Hank Parker’s Outdoor Magazine” nearly died from a treestand accident. Parker, who is 71 years-old, fell over 30 feet while setting up a treestand in the woods and had to be air-lifted out by helicopter and flown to a hospital.
He blamed the accident on his failure to utilize a lineman's belt while climbing the tree and vowed to do so at all times in the future. Incredibly, Parker managed to recover from the incident without any major serious injuries. But in a video posted on his Instagram account, he says that he initially thought he might have broken his neck.
A tearful Parker said he was “flattered and humbled by all the people praying for me and who texted me.” He went on to say that he “did a dumb thing” by not using sufficient safety equipment -- but he’s far from being the only one.
According to hunting safety organization data, approximately 3,000-4,000 hunters fall from treestands each year. Some estimates say that 1 in 3 hunters who use treestands will eventually experience an accident. And many of those accidents, unlike Parker’s, are life-changing – if not fatal.
Nationwide, more hunters are injured or killed by treestand falls than by firearms. And many treestand accidents go unreported. While 39 percent of treestand failures are human error, 31 percent are caused by faulty straps, breaking stands, and failed ladders/steps.
Here are some Tips on Making Sure You Stay Safe:
Virginia State Parks Widewater Hunter Ed mentors teach treestand safety
Always Wear a Full-Body Harness
A harness is your first line of defense against falls, and it’s non-negotiable if you want to stay safe. A high-quality full-body harness distributes weight evenly across your shoulders, chest, and legs, reducing the chance of injury if you fall. Ensure that the harness is securely fastened before climbing into your stand and stays connected to the tree at all times. You should never rely on belts or chest harnesses alone, as these can cause serious injury in the event of a fall by concentrating force in one area of the body.
Check Your Tree Stand Before Every Use, And Pack It Up at the End of the Season
Before each hunt, inspect the entire stand, including straps, bolts, and the tree itself, for signs of wear, rust, or damage. Even small imperfections can lead to dangerous failures under the pressure of body weight.
If you're using a portable stand, verify that all connections are tight and functioning properly. If you're using a permanent stand, make sure that the tree it's attached to is healthy and sturdy. Dead or rotting trees pose a significant risk because they can snap unexpectedly under pressure. Take portables down at the end of the season and store them until a month or so before the next season starts. This will improve the safety and lifespan of your stand.
Use a Lifeline Rope
A lifeline rope, or safety line, is an essential tool that keeps you tethered from the moment you leave the ground until you return. It’s connected to the tree at the top of your stand and extends all the way to the ground. Without a lifeline, even if you have a harness, you're exposed to falls while climbing into and out of the tree stand—arguably the most dangerous part of the hunt.
Maintain Three Points of Contact While Climbing
One of the most basic, yet often overlooked, safety principles is maintaining three points of contact at all times while climbing into or out of your stand. This means that two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand, should always be in contact with the ladder or tree while you climb.
Rushing the climb or carrying too much gear can lead to mistakes that cause falls. Instead, climb slowly and methodically, focusing on secure footing and gripping solid handholds. If you need to bring gear up with you, use a haul line instead of carrying items in your hands while climbing.
Final Thoughts…
Know the condition of the tree you're hunting in. Trees can look sturdy but may have been weakened by disease, insects, or decay, making them susceptible to breaking under the weight of a stand. And be aware of the shot angles you take. Never take a shot in a direction that could compromise your balance. Shooting at extreme downward angles can shift your center of gravity and cause you to lose your footing.
Lastly, consider hunting lower to the ground. It’s tempting to want to go way up high out of the vision zone for deer, but consider sticking to the 15-20-foot levels. Although even a fall from those heights can be extremely dangerous, it’s not as lethal as falling from something like 30 feet and above.
If you think you’re too experienced for it to happen to you, check out Hank’s YouTube interview with outdoorsman Jerry Wydner and think again.
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