DNR: 1 of 3 Hunters Will Fall from Tree Stand in Lifetime

According to the Minnesota DNR, one of every three hunters will fall from a tree stand in their lifetime. With falls from tree stands the cause of most hunting related injuries, hunting equipment manufacturers have begun to offer simple, easy to use safety equipment.

Mike Flaherty from Lakeville says it happened to him. "I didn't put my harness on while I was climbing up, and I probably got to, I don't know, 15 to 18 feet, and I fell," he said. He says he thinks more hunters would wear safety harnesses if the devices were easier to put on, "If they make them easier, I think we'd use them more."

Kris Carlson works at Gander Mountain in Lakeville, and he says safety is driving many new items, "This year alone we have about 10 new products on our shelves that are just aimed at the safety."

Don Leifeld from Hastings has been hunting for years, but has never been comfortable in standard strap harnesses, "It's hard to get everything on... i just doesn't feel good." Leifeld was trying newer harness designs that look like an article of clothing and are easier to put on, "I would be more inclined to wear it, versus the generic ones."