In an effort to outsmart the elusive whitetail deer, more and more Pennsylvania hunters are taking to the trees to bag their quarry, says a hunting safety expert in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. Tree stands have been very popular with hunters in archery season, and now more hunters are using them during rifle season. Robbins says hunting from tree stands can be more productive, but using them can be dangerous. Nationwide, about 10 hunters every year are killed in falls from tree stands, while many others suffer temporary or permanent injury.
People climb into trees or stands when conditions are wet, icy or windy.
They also fall asleep and fall out of the tree or become excited when a deer appears and take one step too far. These products fit under both arms and are attached to the tree and the hunter. Mushrooms or fungus on trees can be a sign of ill health. Robbins warns hunters that they cannot place a tree stand in any tree of their choice. To read previous months' news releases, click on this link.