Hunter injured in treestand fall not found for 21 hours
Hunter injured in treestand fall not found for 21 hours
Ron Horn an Ohio hunter recently spoke out about his experience when falling from his home made treestand earlier this year. Horn was headed to his treestand to check it before hunting with his family when he fell 20 feet, breaking his spine, because he wasn't using a safety harness. Horn said that he noticed a rope was missing from the stand and after getting up in the stand noticed his harness was also missing. He was on his back unable to move after the fall and without a cell phone or radio had no way to signal for help. After 21 hours he was finally discovered by his daughter who then called for help. Horn entire experience is a sad one that provides a few important reminders for hunters.
First I think that anyone who goes out hunting should bring a cell phone or a radio of some kind so that they can contact someone if something goes wrong just like what happened to Horn. If you don't have a cell or radio and don't want to get one you should notify someone where you went and when you are going to be back so that if you show up missing they can find you quickly.
Another thing that Horn's experience teaches hunters is that you should always put your harness on before you start up the treestand. If Horn would have put his harness on first he wouldn't have been in the situation he is in now. Falls from treestands are one of the most common causes of accidents when hunting with gunshots being second (in Ohio). I think that it should be a law that hunters must wear a safety harness if they use a treestand and if not they should be fined just like not wearing a seatbelt. With such a large percent of injuries coming from falls it seems like a cause that every hunter should support.
The story also briefly addresses that hunters are encouraged to use treestands that are certified by the Treestand Manufacturers Association rather than homemade ones. This is another great idea. Standards that manufactures have to follow are often better than those of homemade stands and unless you are a skilled builder with years of experience in structural design I think that you should stay away from making your own stands. Certified treestands are fairly cheap when you compare it to the potential medical bills you might have to pay if you fall from a poorly constructed homemade stand. Save yourself the time and money and get one that is already proven to be safe.
Remember to stay safe when out hunting and use your safety equipment every time all the time.