Each fall Pennsylvania deer hunters anxiously await the opening of deer hunting season. At the opening of the rifled deer hunting season, warnings about gun safety are conveyed throughout the state. However, being accidentally shot is not the only type of accident that hunters need to be aware of. A hunter recovering from a fall that occurred in York County while he was hoping to bag a deer knows this all too well.

The man was injured when he fell from a tree stand in Manheim Township, near Codorus State Park. Though the extent of his injuries is not known, it was necessary for a helicopter to fly to the scene to assist him.

While tree stands often make it easier to see deer in the trees, as this accident illustrates, they can be dangerous. There are several steps that can be taken to make sure no one is hurt while using a tree stand when hunting.

The first is to avoid getting to the tree stand by scaling trees that are wet, icy or dead. The wet and icy trees may be slippery and dead trees can more easily break.

Another tip is provided by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. This group suggests that ropes be used to transfer items to the stand rather than try to carry them while climbing. It also recommends that tree stand decks be covered with non-slip covers to prevent hunters from slipping on the platform.

A hunter shared a safety rule that applies regardless of whether a tree stand is being used or not. She said she always brings a flashlight along when heading out early in the morning. Should another hunter arrive while it is still dark, the flashlight can be flicked on and off to signal their position to the other hunter.

All hunters hope for a successful season without any injuries or deaths. Taking the time to make safety a priority is the first step in that direction.

Source: WHPTV, "Safety is key for hunters after local man falls out of tree stand," Christina Butler, Nov. 28, 2011