Deer & Deer Hunting Tree Stand Survey (D&DH 1993),
IHEA Survey of Hunters in North Carolina and Vermont (Responsive Management 2002),
Camp Ripley Bowhunter’s Tree Stand Survey (MN DNR, NBEF 2007)

• Almost 90% of hunters hunt from elevated stands (D&DH 1993)
• 96% of bowhunters on the Camp Ripley hunt use elevated stands (Ripley 2007)

• Studies differ on the incidence of elevated stand incidents:
- 37% (D&DH 1993)
- 11% (Ripley 2007)
- North Carolina 9%, Vermont 5% (Responsive Management 2002)

• Approximately 25% of those who fell were injured (Ripley 2007, Responsive Management 2002)

• Deaths due to falling often equal or exceed firearms deaths (Ohio 2007)

• 65% of stand users own a full body harness fall arrest device (Ripley 2007)
• 55% of stand users are not regular users of fall arrest devices (Ripley 2007)
• Approximately 45% of elevated stand users may use a fall arrest device at some time (D&DH 1993, Ripley 2007)
• Most do not climb while wearing a fall arrest device (Ripley 2007, D&DH 1993)
• Approximately 65% of elevated stand users have taken a hunter safety course (Ripley 2007, Responsive Management 2002, D&DH 1993)
• Almost 80% of elevated stand users are concerned with safety (Ripley 2007,
Responsive Management 2002)
• Only 16% would take a classroom refresher course (Ripley 2007)
• 32% of bowhunters would take an internet refresher course (Ripley 2007)
• Bowhunters preferred safety information sources: magazines (59%), hunting regs (44%), TV (41%) (Ripley 2007)