Sportsmans Corner: Tree stand safety

The issue of tree stand safety has been brought to our attention with the tragic death of local bow hunter Kurt Prondecki of Erving, who died after falling from his stand.

This is a tragedy for his family and friends and is far too common. Each year, 300 to 500 hunters die after falling from tree stands and serious injuries from falls have ranged from 3,000 to 6,400 in recent years.

The problem is not a new one and the use of elevated stands has increased significantly over the past two decades. The resulting injuries and fatalities have led to a lot of discussion, and the Tree Stand Safety Awareness Foundation (TSSAF) was formed in 2016 with the aim of trying to significantly reduce tree stand accidents through education, promotion and best practices.

With strong support from the archery industry, considerable effort and resources were brought forward and a number of initiatives have evolved. Education programs and curriculum for hunter safety instruction stress basic safety rules and practices. Included are the ABCs of tree stand safety.

They are:

A – Always remove and inspect your equipment before use.

B – Buckle on your full body harness every time before you climb.

C – Connect to the tree before your feet leave the ground.

By following these steps, hunters can significantly reduce their risk of falling from tree stands, as most falls occur when these safety measures are not followed. Recent statistics indicate a 42.8% reduction in tree stand falls requiring emergency care over the past four years, reflecting the positive impact of the TSSAF’s initiatives and expanded education about tree stand safety. The foundation continues to encourage hunters to prioritize safety and adhere to best practices to further decrease the number of accidents.

Some basic tree stand safety rules include always wearing a full-body harness. Never use a waist belt harness. This is crucial for safety and should be used every time you leave the ground. Use a lifeline. This keeps you connected from the time you leave the ground until you get back down.

Maintain three points of contact while climbing into and out of the tree stand. This means two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand at all times.

Inspect your equipment. Carry emergency equipment, such as a knife, cell phone, flashlight and whistle and make sure they are easily accessible.

Choose a healthy tree. You never know when something unexpected will happen and “nodding off” is a real threat when you get up at 4 a.m.

New Hampshire’s preliminary deer harvest numbers released on Nov. 2 show a significant increase over last season at this time, with 4,860 compared to 4,067. That would include archery and black powder, which concluded Tuesday and rifle season, which opened Wednesday. That would bode well for Massachusetts deer hunters, as it appears that conditions were excellent for deer, with a mild winter and an excellent mast crop, including a banner year for acorns in many locations.

It is time to make sure your shotgun and muzzle loaders are sighted in for the season. The new rifle range at the Petersham Gun Club is a huge upgrade and the Orange Gun Club range is excellent. This writer is a strong believer in making sure your firearms are shooting before the season starts.

Francis W. Sargent Award

This past Wednesday the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board presented me with the Francis W. Sargent Award at a ceremony at the field headquarters in Westborough. The award was established in 2000 by the Fisheries and Wildlife Board to recognize someone who has made significant contributions to the conservation of natural resources in the Commonwealth and is presented whenever warranted by the Fisheries and Wildlife Board. The Sargent Award is named for former Gov. Francis W. Sargent, an avid conservationist and outdoorsman who served as director of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife from 1969 to 1975.

MassWildife Director Mark Tisa opened the ceremony and introduced Massachusetts Secretary of Environmental Affairs Tom O’Shea. It was my pleasure during my 35-year tenure as a member of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board to work with both of these wildlife professionals, who each worked their way up the ranks and distinguished themselves as outstanding leading conservation professionals. They both played roles in what I call “The Golden Age of Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation” in Massachusetts, with so many innovative and significant measures that had a positive impact on the Commonwealth’s fish and wildlife resources.

Listening to each man speak of me and what things I was able to be a part of during my time as club advisor for the Mahar Fish’N Game Club, staff member and director of the Mass Junior Conservation Camp and as a member of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board was humbling, and having so many friends and members of my family present was indeed special.

Newly-elected Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Chairperson Emma Ellsworth, who is very well known locally as executive director of the Mount Grace Land Trust, made the presentation of a crystal obelisk.

What made it very special for me was the fact that during my time on the board, I served on the committee which selected Sargent Award recipients. That involved reviewing the achievements of those who were considered for the award. To even be mentioned with these notables who distinguished themselves as conservation leaders was an honor.

It did give me a chance to thank so many great people who it was my great pleasure to work with and be a part of so many interesting things over the years. I am particularly grateful for the Mahar Regional School administrations and school committee members and the parents and community members who have supported the Mahar Fish’N Game Club, which gave me a start in conservation when I followed my father as club advisor. Great thanks also go to the Athol Daily News, which has provided me with a platform for 40 years to share with the community information about the outdoors which is such an important part of life here in the North Quabbin region.

Mike Roche is a retired teacher who has been involved in conservation and wildlife issues his entire life. He has written the Sportsman’s Corner since 1984 and has served as advisor to the Mahar Fish’N Game Club, counselor and director of the Massachusetts Conservation Camp, former Connecticut Valley District representative on the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor and is a licensed New York hunting guide. He can be reached at mikeroche3@msn.com.