Treestand Accidents Leave One Dead, One in Hospital
Monday, November 03, 2008 | 08:23am
MORRISTOWN, Tenn. --- Two treestand accidents in East Tennessee over the past few days have resulted in the death of one hunter and serious injuries to the other, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
On Saturday, Nov. 1, Brian C. Aldridge, 38 of Butler, died as the result of injuries received in a treestand accident on the opening day of Tennessee’s muzzleloader season. Aldridge was found approximately 100 yards from a tree from which he had fallen. He had been hunting on private land in the Pine Orchard Road section of Johnson County.
Aldridge was found by a hunting companion after he did not return to the vehicle after dark. Aldridge’s treestand was found still hanging approximately 32 feet high in a tree. The cable on the seat portion of the stand was loose and he had not been wearing a fall restraint system.
On Friday, Oct. 31, Paul Renner, 55 of Greeneville, fell 15 feet from a treestand. Renner was found on the UT Extension Farm in Greene County around 10 p.m. by a raccoon hunter. Renner had moved about 50 yards from the tree and was semiconscious when found. He had not been wearing a fall restraint system.
Renner was flown by Wings to the Johnson City Medical Center. Hunting violation charges are pending against Renner.
The accidents continue to be under investigation by wildlife officers with the TWRA.
Ten rules for treestand safety are:
1) Always wear a safety harness while hunting from a treestand, including while ascending and descending.
2) Never climb into a permanent stand you have not built yourself or carefully checked out.
3) Never hunt from tree limbs.
4) Be sure the commercial stand you have is safe. Practice with it before using it in the woods.
5) Never climb a tree that is too small or too large for your stand to fit safely.
6) Be sure your stand is level at the height you wish to hunt.
7) Always stand up slowly and be sure of your balance.
8) Be sure you are steady and braced before shooting.
9) Always use a haul line for your bow. Never climb with your equipment.
10) Never climb a dead tree or one with dead limbs above your head.