By Glen Wunderlich
Over the past week or so, I’ve been checking treestands for safety reasons and found several of them in need of work. One ladder stand that has been attached to a live cherry tree for years had become unsafe for several reasons: Straps holding the stand to the tree had broken and the ladder was suspended a few inches off the ground.
While choosing a live tree is paramount to safety, doing so presents safety concerns that should be addressed before the season. And, since archery deer season begins October 1st, here are a few other reminders to keep you safe.
* Choose a live, straight tree. Before the leaves begin falling in earnest, look for trees with leaves. Many standing dead ash trees are still in the woods – victims of emerald ash borers – so it behooves anyone to become acquainted with these potential dangers. In addition, make sure to look above before placing treestands or even ground blinds in the vicinity of standing dead trees or limbs prone to fall.
* Assemble your stand according to the manufacturer’s instructions and bring the instructions when you set up your stand to double-check as you go. Use a lineman’s-style belt or climbing belt—attached to the tree—during setup.
* Set up the stand with another person.
* Always inspect your stand to ensure everything is in working order. If a strap or rope is frayed, do not use the stand.
* Stay connected—always. Wear a full-body safety harness; whenever you are not touching the ground, use a lifeline. The vast majority of treestand accidents occur while climbing up or down or while installing stands. Always maintain three points of contact.
* Take advantage of YouTube videos from accredited sources such as the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), or Tree Stand Safety Awareness Foundation (TSSA). Learn the proper knots and practices thoroughly before heading afield.
* Carry a cell phone or two-way radio, and make sure someone always knows where you are.
* Never carry firearms or bows up and down trees. Always use a haul line to raise and lower all gear. Make sure your firearm is unloaded.
* Become intimately familiar with your bow or gun – especially the trigger’s safety. Keep the safety engaged until ready to shoot.
There are positive changes in the estimated number of falls that are occurring on a national level. Based on data available (2017), there has been a 28 percent decrease in the number of estimated falls requiring emergency department visits, while over the same period of time, there has been 7.1 percent increase in the number of licensed hunters nationwide.
Let’s keep the trend moving in this direction.
WEST POINT, MS – TruckVault is proud to introduce the offering of Mossy Oak branded secure in-vehicle storage systems for covered pickups, uncovered pickups, and SUVs beginning fall 2019.TruckVault is the way to go for a weeklong hunting trip with friends or as a way to keep one’s favorite hunting gear safe and protected while enjoying what Mother Nature has to offer close to home. TruckVault has become well known for keeping outdoor enthusiast’s most precious valuables safe, secure, and protected while enjoying the outdoors. Read more
Contact: Dan Johnson | Union Sportsmen’s Alliance 763-244-5019 | 
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE-RGR) announces the new Hawkeye® Hunter rifle chambered in several short- and long-action calibers. Based on the popular Hawkeye Standard with a classic American walnut stock, this new stainless steel rifle comes paired with a factory-installed picatinny rail and threaded barrel, providing the avid hunter with the ultimate, rugged and hard-hitting rifle.The Hawkeye Hunter is initially being offered in four different calibers: 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Winchester, 30-06 Springfield and .300 Winchester Magnum. All Hunter rifles feature a cold hammer-forged, satin stainless finished barrel, a factory-installed 20 MOA picatinny rail for mounting optics and an American walnut stock. Additionally, the .300 Winchester Magnum configuration features a removable Ruger® radial-port muzzle brake to significantly reduce felt recoil.
WESTFIELD, Massachusetts –– Savage’s dedicated 12 and 20 gauge slug guns have a proven track record with American hunters. Now the 212 and 220 are even more ergonomic thanks to the addition of the easily customizable AccuFit™ system. Shipments of these firearms have been delivered to dealers.“The way a gun fits your body can make or break accuracy,” said Beth Shimanski, Director of Marketing for Savage. “Having AccuFit on the 212 and 220 will allow hunters to fit their guns perfectly and that means faster target acquisition and a more instinctive feel.” 
EKO CAM SYSTEM ALLOWS UP TO 90% LET OFF WHILE MAINTAINING BOW PERFORMANCEEvansville, IN – Bear Archery announced today the launch of its most revolutionary and highest let off cam system yet, the EKO Cam System. With up to 90% let off, the EKO Cam System allows the user to pick their preferred let off with four different positions at 75%, 80%, 85%, or 90% at each draw length without sacrificing performance. The EKO Cam System uses a rotating module for draw length adjustment and can be made without the use of a bow press.
Odessa, Florida – Adams Arms has partnered with Tactical Shit and Vet TV to give away a huge prize package valued over $4,000!The prize package includes an Adams Arms 12.5” Small Frame .308 Pistol with a red dot, 5 cases of Hornady Critical Defense ammunition, a Witt Machine Dirty 30 Suppressor plus the $200 tax stamp, an Inforce flashlight package, a Tru-Spec backpack and clothing package, and a 1 year subscription to Vet TV with an iPad! No purchase necessary, free to enter.