The ABC’s of Tree Stand Safety

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The ABC's of Tree Stand Safety 2September is National Tree Stand Safety Awareness Month, and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) reminds all hunters that use elevated stands to practice their ABCs before and during the season.

A: ALWAYS remove and inspect your equipment. Practice at ground level
B: BUCKLE on your full-body safety harness securely.
C: CONNECT to the tree before you leave the ground and slow down.
D: DESTINATION share your stand location for each hunt.

In addition to the ABCs, developed by the Tree Stand Safety Awareness Foundation, DWR encourages these additional safety guidelines.

  • If you are new to hunting, enroll in a Hunter Education Course.
  • Inspect a stand for damage before the season begins and before and after each use.
  • Read the instructions that came with the stand.
  • Securely attach the stand to a straight, healthy tree.
  • Let other hunters in your party know where your stand is located.
  • Leave a map on the dashboard of your vehicle and the time you will return.
  • Carry a whistle, horn, strobe, two-way radio or a cell phone on your person. Make sure it is properly charged or pack fresh batteries.
  • Use a fall-arrest system including a lifeline and full-body safety harness and maintain three points of contact at all times from the moment you leave the ground until you return to the ground.
  • Always use a haul line for gear.
  • Tie a haul line to the belt or stand when climbing to keep hands free.
  • Unload gun or bow before climbing or descending your stand and use a haul line to raise and lower the gun or bow from the ground to the stand.
  • PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE using your tree stand and fall-arrest system.
  • Be especially careful using tree stands during rain, snow and icy conditions.
  • Don’t use a tree stand if you’re tired, sick, or on medications.
  • Wear blaze orange in the stand. Let other hunters in the area know where you are.

During the 2025/2026 season, there were 13 tree stand incidents including one fatality. Of the 13, six victims hadn’t taken a hunter education course and nine were not connected to the tree by using a fall arrest system including a harness and tether.

“Hunting is a tradition valued by generations of Virginians, both to put food on the table and as a means of fellowship and comradery,” said Virginia Hunter Education and Outreach Team Lead Jimmy Mootz. “Let’s keep those memories safe, wear a safety harness every time you hunt off the ground and always follow the ABC’s of tree stand and saddle hunting safety.”

For more information on the DWR Hunter Education program, including workshops and mentorship opportunities, visit DWR online. Download the DWR safety harness PSA on YouTube.

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