James Miller

Reporter

LARUE – The higher we climb, the harder we hit the ground. That's the message the Ohio Division of Wildlife wishes to get out to hunters climbing into tree stands this deer season.

"When I teach a hunter safety class, I have my students count off, out loud," said Chad Grote, State Wildlife Officer for Marion County.

"I ask every third person to stand up. Then I tell them 'that's how many of you will fall out of a tree stand in your lifetime.'"

Deer populations are on the decline statewide, thanks to harvest management strategies that set bag limits for each county. Statewide, harvest estimates will be down five to ten percent, according to John Windau of the ODNR office in Findlay.

In the 2013 season, 833 deer were tagged in Marion County, compared to 897 deer killed on 2012. But Marion County still has an abundant deer population, Grote said.

"Marion is a three-deer county. Hunters can get two either-sex permits and one antlerless permit this season, or three either-sex permits," said Grote.

Archery season opened Sept. 27 for whitetails. Archers set a record last year by taking 46 percent of deer harvested statewide. Antlerless muzzleloader season opens Oct. 11, youth gun season opens Nov. 22, and gun season begins Dec. 1. Muzzleloader season begins the second day of January 2015.

Many of those hunters will be waiting in trees, and some will likely fall out this year. According to a data collected in Vermont and North Carolina provided by ODNR, 20 percent of those who fall will suffer injuries requiring medical treatment.

"Most of those falls, about 85 percent, happen when hunters are either climbing up or back down from their stands," Grote said.

Most tree stands used today are either portable units that hunters pack in, or semi-permanent ladder stands that are attached or lashed to trees, supporting a bench or platform. Both types of stands should be inspected thoroughly before the first day of hunting, Grote said.

"You don't want to show up the first day of the season, find something frayed or questionable, and decide to let it slide," Grote said. "You want to practice beforehand, especially with a new stand."

Grote said it's smart to avoid the homemade ladders and platforms he finds in the woods.

He said you should look for the Treestand Manufacturing Association (TMA) approval certification on stands to be sure product testing and quality control are up to industry standards.

"And always wear a full body harness," Grote said.

"You don't want a simple waist harness. If you fall in one of those things, you could end up dangling bent in half at the waist, and there's a danger you could black out," he said.

The harness systems resemble a mountaineer's climbing harness, and could cost $40 to $200. A lifeline, or tether, is attached to the harness behind the hunter's back and looped around the tree trunk above the hunter's head. The loop is worked up the tree as the hunter climbs up and down the trunk.

"You always want to be connected to the tree, even when you are just stepping off the ground," Grote said.

He demonstrated his portable tree stand by attaching it to a tree sturdy enough to support his weight at about 20 feet off the ground. Tree trunks get narrower higher up.

Grote attached a haul line to his bow before climbing into his harness and attaching his lifeline to the trunk. He then worked up the tree by shimmying up the trunk and lifting part of the stand overhead, then dragging the lower half up with his feet and repositioning his lifeline above after each movement. Friction, leverage and gravity kept the stand from slipping. It's important to practice the attachments and maneuvers at ground level, preferably with a buddy present, Grote said.

Practicing dangling from your harness and climbing back into your stand is a good idea, too, he said.

"If I fall with my lifeline attached, I'm only going to drop a few inches," Grote said.

"And you don't want to be climbing one-handed while carrying your bow. That's why the haul line is so important."

Grote said it's important to practice with all your equipment before the heading into the field, or up a tree.

"You should know your capabilities. Be confident you can hit target at 30 yards. It's not against the law to take a 70-yard shot at an animal, but it's unethical if you can't hit a 70-yard shot. You're not likely to meet the 'one-shot, one kill' ethic that good hunters strive for," Grote said.

Respecting your prey and while protecting yourself is Grote's mantra.

"You should plan your hunt, and hunt your plan. Tell your mom and dad or your wife where you are going and when you are going to be back. And bring your phone along. Put it on silent, but don't put it in your pack, which you could drop from your stand. Keep it in a pocket within easy reach," Grote said.

jsmiller@gannett.com

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