Hunter Tip: How to Stay Safe in a Tree Stand
Tree stands are a great way to take your hunt to the next level, but they also come with new dangers.
Any time your feet leave the ground, you face a new set of challenges – especially when holding a loaded firearm. Balancing and staying put in the stand while aiming your firearm can be a risky situation. However, for many hunters, the first challenge of getting into the stand (safely) is the hardest part.
The advantage of hunting above the ground can make it well worth the extra effort to get into the stand and make sure you stay safe while elevated. So, what should you keep in mind when using a tree stand this season? Check out the information below!
Safety Tips for Hunting in a Tree Stand
While the steps to safely getting into, sitting in, and exiting your tree stand might seem complicated at first, once you get them down, it will be second nature for you to get up in your stand every season.
Remember: even if you're a seasoned hunter and frequently use tree stands, skipping a safety step can lead to a serious injury.
Before we talk it through, watch the video below for a refresher on how to stay safe in your tree stand.
What did you learn in the video? Here's a recap:
- Unload your rifle and use a haul line to get your equipment safely into the stand. Always keep the firearm pointed away from you.
- Wear your fall-arrest system (FAS) from when you leave the ground until you are back on the ground. This can include:
- A full-body harness
- A lineman's-style belt or climbing belt
- A lifeline system
- A tree strap
- A tether
- A suspension relief strap
- Practice three-point climbing: Always keep three points of contact with the tree or your ladder.
- If you do fall, use your suspension relief strap and keep your legs moving.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions every time you use your tree stand.
Again, once you have the gear that works best for you (stand, FAS, etc.) and you've practiced getting in and out of your stand, it will be a run-of-the-mill even for you to get in and out of your tree stand every time you get out for a hunt.
Did We Say Practice?
Yes, we did!
You don't want the first time you pull together your gear and attempt to get into (and out of) your tree stand the first time you use it in the field. Especially if you hunt alone, you don't want to risk something (or everything) going wrong with new equipment or a new approach to hunting from an elevated position the first time you set it up and put it into action.
Even if you can't place your stand to practice in a location you will hunt this season, put your stand in a sturdy tree, assemble your FAS and safety gear, and practice entering and exiting your tree stand. You'll also want to practice hauling your gear into the stand and staying hooked to your safety system while waiting quietly in the stand above ground.
Work out the flaws in your system, try different gear setups, and keep your phone (or a fellow hunter) nearby to help you learn and perfect your use of a tree stand before you hunt.
With this preparation, you'll save time and reduce the potential for injury when hunting from your stand when the season begins.
Prepare for a Safe Tree Stand Hunt With Hunter-Ed
Before getting into a tree, make sure you've learned everything you can about staying safe when hunting from an elevated position. We've covered a few important tips here, but you can learn more about tree stand safety and other crucial safety essentials in a hunter education course through Hunter-Ed.
Most states require hunters to pass a safety course before buying a license and heading out to hunt when the season opens. So, keep yourself and your hunting partners safe by finding the course for your state and getting safety certified.
All Hunter-Ed courses are 100% online – including the exam! So, it's convenient to learn and get certified anywhere you can connect to the internet.
Originally published September 17, 2015. Content updated March 21, 2023.
