All hunting requires meticulous preparation and a commitment to safety, but, as Michigan’s bow season ends its second full week, it’s a good time to consider extra precautions when hunting from a tree stand.

The Tree Stand Safety Awareness Foundation, a nonprofit focused on safety education and mindfulness, collected accident information from 12 states. Although Michigan wasn’t a participating state, the data provides a good starting point for conversation.

When it comes to tree-stand incidents, the foundation found that:

∫ The average fall victim’s age was 47.

∫ Lock-on and climbing stands were the most common types involved.

∫ The majority of people who fell did not use a harness.

∫ Most falls occurred when people hunted with traditional firearms or bows, followed by muzzleloaders and crossbows.

∫ Most people fell because they slipped or lost their grip or balance.

“The DNR is in full support of the foundation’s effort to boost tree-stand safety,” said Lt. Tom Wanless, the hunter education administrator for the state of Michigan. “The more information hunters have, the safer they can be.”

Wanless shared a few tips:

∫ Use your hands and feet to maintain three points of contact when ascending or descending a tree stand.

∫ Use a full-body harness attached to a secure fall line positioned above your head.

∫ When lifting a crossbow or firearm (unloaded, safety on) into a tree stand, use a secure pull system, such as a rope. Never attach anything to a trigger or trigger guard.

The Michigan teaches tree-stand safety, safe firearm handling, first aid and other important life skills as part of its hunter education program.

Read more hunting safety tips or find a hunter safety education course near you at Michigan.gov/HuntingSafety.