Hunting accidents involving firearms get headlines. Falls from tree stands quietly injure far more hunters. State wildlife agencies across the country say falls are among the leading causes of serious hunting injuries.
New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation tracks tree stand incidents closely. In its 2025 summary, the state recorded nine elevated hunting incidents, including one death. In eight of the nine, the hunter wasn’t wearing a harness. The one hunter who was wearing one had it snap. The average age of the injured hunters was 50.
Wear a full-body harness, every time
A full-body safety harness is the most important piece of tree stand gear you own. Wear it from the moment your feet leave the ground until they are back on it.
- Replace harnesses after a fall or when they reach the manufacturer’s expiration date.
- Inspect straps and stitching before every season.
- Practice using it at ground level before the season.
Use a lifeline
Many falls happen while climbing up or down, when a harness tether isn’t attached to the tree. A lifeline, a rope running from the ground to above your stand with a sliding knot, keeps you connected the whole way.
Inspect your stand
- Check straps, chains, cables and bolts for wear, rust or animal damage. Stands left in the woods all year take a beating.
- Replace straps on a regular schedule.
- Never use homemade wooden stands or nailed-on boards. New York’s report lists homemade stands among the stands involved in incidents.
- Choose a live, straight, healthy tree. One New York incident involved a tree that split at the base.
Climb the right way
- Keep three points of contact at all times: two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand.
- Never climb with a gun or bow in your hands. Use a haul line.
- Raise your firearm unloaded, with the action open and the muzzle pointed down, away from you.
Plan for the worst
- Tell someone where you are hunting and when you will be back.
- Carry a phone or radio where you can reach it while hanging in a harness.
- Hanging in a harness for long can cause suspension trauma. Use a relief strap so you can stand in it and take pressure off your legs.
Firearm safety from height
Load your firearm only after you are secured in the stand, and unload it before you climb down. Be extra careful of your muzzle direction and your backstop when shooting at a downward angle.
