As Accident Numbers Fall, Hunters Should Still Focus on Safety

By DAVID RAINER, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Lt. Michael Bloxom of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division handed control of the Hunter Education Program to WFF's R3 staff on September 1 this year, but as he heads toward retirement, Bloxom highlighted the effectiveness of hunter education with a milestone achievement during the 2024-2025 season.

"We actually had a record low number of accidents last season," said Bloxom, who will retire at the end of the year. "We only had seven accidents, and that includes treestand accidents. Historically, two-thirds of our accidents involved a treestand. This past season, we had four firearm and only three treestand accidents. I hope that means we're finally getting the messages out about using safety harnesses and other safety equipment. But three is still too many."

Unfortunately, one of the treestand accidents resulted in the only fatality of the season. The accident occurred in Bankhead National Forest, which is known for its rugged terrain with plenty of gorges, canyons and steep ridges.

"The person was by himself and didn't have a safety harness on," Bloxom said. "He was found at the bottom of a 40- to 45-foot bluff. He had his stand positioned facing the cliff, and he fell into the ravine."

The accident report indicated a pull-up rope was attached to the stand, but there were no definitive clues as to what happened. These types of incidents are avoidable. Following the treestand guidelines below will help ensure hunters safely enjoy their time outdoors.

"We don't really know, but he may have lost his grip and fallen into the ravine," Bloxom said. "To be safe, you have to have a fall arrest system and be connected to the tree at all times.Eighty percent of treestand accidents happen on the way up or the way down."

Bloxom cautioned that a fall from any height can be dangerous. One female hunter was exiting a tripod stand when her jacket caught on the stand, causing her to fall.

"She fell 10 feet and had serious injuries," he said. "Even falls from short distances can kill or do significant harm."

The other treestand accident last year involved a stationary stand that had been erected more than a year earlier.

"If you leave the lock-ons up, the heat and cold, the rain, and the trees growing can make those straps give way," Bloxom said.

This season, one treestand accident and one firearms accident have already occurred. The treestand accident involved trying to place a ladder stand on a tree.

"A lot of these ladder stands require two or three people to put up," Bloxom said. "Two people have to hold it while the other straps it to the tree. The report showed that the treestand actually bent backward as he was trying to put it up by himself.

"And we had another shooting at a low bird on a dove field."

Bloxom said the Hunter Education Program will be in good hands with the R3 (recruit, retain, reactivate) staff, including R3 Assistant Chief Justin Grider, R3 Supervisor Lt. Bill Freeman and Conservation Enforcement Officer Katie Burks.