CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – As we head into the end of the Deer hunting season The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency wants to remind hunters to be safe when heading out in the woods.

Tree stands have been popular with deer hunters for more than 30 years. Ladder stands, lock ons, and climbing stands are utilized by hunters to get above the game they are hunting. What is not as popular has always been the fall restraint device.

During the past ten years, tree stand incidents have become far more common than firearm related hunting incidents. The tragedy is that the overwhelming majority of these tree stand incidents could have been prevented with the use of a full body harness. Hunters must begin to use the full body harness and they must attach themselves to the tree from the time they leave the ground until they are back on the ground.

Fall restraint devices or full body harnesses are designed to keep you from accidentally falling to the ground from the tree stand. In the last 6 years over 72 incidents of falling from a tree stand have been reported in Tennessee. It is likely that there are more accidents that occur but are not reported or simply registered as a fall by the hospital. Twelve of those accidents have resulted in death.

Up to this point during the 2016 deer hunting season three hunters have died in tree stand related accidents. In 60 non-fatal reports of injury over the last six years and 12 fatal incidents, only 6 hunters were wearing fall restraint devices.

Fall Restraint devices have evolved over the years. Hunters were once only given the option of a strap that could be tied around the waist to protect them from falling. These were found to be dangerous as the strap would cut off circulation and possibly result in death. The full body harness is now the preferred restraint device. It fits around the legs, waist and shoulders and suspends the hunter with enough support until help arrives or allows enough mobility to get back into the stand.

The Tennessee Wildlife resources Agency wants everyone to be safe and enjoy the hunt and the holidays this year.