Hunting from Elevated Tree Stands: Hunters’ Safety Practices and Attitudes Regarding the Use of Personal Fall Arrest Systems - Update

Abstract

This study sought to identify hunters’ attitudes and practices with respect to the use of personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) when hunting from elevated (tree) stands. Hunting is a popular recreational activity in the United States (US) and the use of elevated stands (e.g., tree stands) provides hunters with several advantages in hunting large game animals, such as deer. However, hunting from an elevated position creates a hazard and the potential for serious injury or death should the hunter fall while climbing into or out of the stand or while positioned in the stand. Hunters were surveyed regarding their hunting practices, their attitudes regarding the use of Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) when hunting with elevated stands, reasons why they do not use a PFAS when hunting with an elevated stand, and their prior experience with falls from elevated hunting stands. Although the results varied based upon the hunter’s activity with the stand, a majority of the hunters surveyed reported not always using PFAS and that a significant percentage of hunters never use a PFAS when hunting from an elevated stand. Respondents reported several reasons for not always using a PFAS, including: time, cumbersome, hinders movement, do not think about it, and difficult to use. Discussion of the results as they relate to an earlier survey and well as approaches to increase compliance of using a PFAS will be discussed.