PLYMOUTH – Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a tree stand accident that occurred around 5:15 pm Saturday, October 22, in Marshall County.
Mark Miller, 44, of Elkhart, was preparing to hunt from an elevated tree stand before falling nearly 20 feet to the ground.
Emergency personnel from multiple agencies were on scene to assist with transporting Miller out of the woods. Miller was taken to South Bend Memorial Hospital with leg and chest injuries. Miller was not wearing a safety harness at the time of the accident.
Falls from tree stands are the leading cause of deer hunting accidents in Indiana, accounting for almost half of all accidents. Many occur while a hunter is ascending or descending from the stand. With deer season upon us, Conservation Officers offer several safety tips while hunting from an elevated position.
Hunters should inspect their tree stands and hunting equipment to ensure they are safe before using. They should also only use a tree stand that has the approval of the Treestand Manufacturers Association (TMA) and make sure to read the manufacturers warnings and instructions before installation.
Hunters should wear a full-body, fall arrest harness system that meets TMA standards. Single strap and chest harnesses should not be used. Never leave the ground until the full-body, fall arrest harness system is on. Always have three points of contact with the tree when climbing and descending.
A hunter should never climb with anything in his hands or on his back. A haul line should be used to lift a gun, a bow or other gear into the stand. Firearms on a haul line should be unloaded with the action open and muzzle pointed downward.
