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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: *Aug. 29, 2025
*Contact: *Lt. Renee Thok, DNR Hunter Education Administrator
[email protected] <[email protected]> or 262-900-7860

 

DNR Urges Hunters To Prioritize
Tree Stand Safety This Fall

 

An individual in camo sits in a tree stand with a crossbow across their lap in a large tree full of greenery.

Avoid tree stand accidents this fall by brushing up on basic safety best practices. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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MADISON, Wis.* – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds hunters to take proper precautions and follow all safety best practices before climbing into a tree stand this fall.

To avoid accidents and ensure a safe outing, always be mindful of the basic rules of tree stand safety before and during every hunt:


* Regardless of the type of tree stand used, always wear a full-body harness, also known as a fall-arrest system.
* Connect the harness to the tether line and keep the tether line short. The tether is designed to keep the wearer in the seat and not catch them after falling.
* Always keep three points of contact while climbing into and out of the tree stand. This means always keeping two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand in contact with the stand or ground.
* Always use a haul line to raise and lower an unloaded firearm or bow into and out of the stand. Hunters can also use the haul for other things, like a heavy backpack.
* Use a lifeline when climbing up and down; this keeps wearers connected from when they leave the ground to when they get back down.

Beyond following these basic rules, hunters should inspect their equipment for wear and tear and select a tree strong enough to support their weight; avoid trees with obvious decay or disease. The equipment check should go beyond just the physical stand. Ensure all lines are secure, the harness fits and the harness is free of snags and tears. Also, take time to review and follow the manufacturer's setup instructions.

Carrying a fully charged cellphone and sharing hunting plans with someone else can help ensure hunters have the ability to get help if an accident happens.

Suspension trauma can happen in less than 20 minutes and can be fatal. Attaching an additional foot strap to the body harness will take pressure off the upper legs in case of a fall.

Tree stand injuries are not tracked in Wisconsin. If you sustain a tree stand-related injury, call for help from a first responder agency or another member of your hunting party.

To review these tips and take a free tree stand safety course, visit the DNR's website [ [link removed] ].







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