With the Sept. 30 opening of fall’s favorite pastime for many hunters—archery deer season in the Delta, Northeast, East Central, and Southwest Hunting Zones—a message to stay safe in a treestand also arrives.
“Do not allow yourself to become the next statistic; take your time, be safe, and let someone know where you plan on hunting,” said Captain Calvin Fulton of the MDFWP. “One hunting-related accident is too many.”
Wearing a full body harness can be the difference between life and death. Treestand falls account for over 90 percent of all hunting accidents in Mississippi.
That’s why Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks urges all hunters to wear, and know how to properly use a full body harness (fall-arrest system), while climbing a tree, installing a treestand that uses climbing aids, or while hunting from a treestand.
All Wildlife Management Area hunters are reminded they are required by law to wear a full body harness while climbing a tree, installing a treestand that uses climbing aids, or while hunting from a treestand on a WMA.
Most treestand-related incidents can be avoided by taking a little extra time to follow basic guidelines to always wear a full body safety harness and always use a life line harness system when climbing to and from deer stands.
Also, always check the straps attaching hunting stand to the tree for signs of wear, and always check hunting stand for signs of wear or broken parts.
For more information about hunting in Mississippi, visit www.mdwfp.com.