Injuries Due to Falls from Hunters' Tree Stands in Pennsylvania
Background
People who hunt deer from elevated tree stands may improve the chances of a successful hunt but also risk serious injury from a fall to the ground.
Purpose
The objective of the current investigation is to estimate the rates of injuries from falls from tree stands using a population-based study design.
Methods
Annual and age-specific rates were calculated using injury data collected from 1987 to 2006 from all accredited Pennsylvania trauma centers and hunting license sales and game-take mail surveys from the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Results
From 1987 through 2006, 2.73 people (n=499) per 100,000 licensed deer hunters were injured from falls from tree stands; seven people died. Rates increased from 0.59 in 1987 to 7.08 in 2006 (p<0.001). Rates increased with age (p<0.001) and were highest among hunters aged 40–49 years. The case-fatality rate was 1.4%.
Conclusions
Falls from tree stands associated with deer hunting are an increasing and important cause of injuries, especially for older hunters. Surveillance for tree stand–related injuries should be enhanced and preventive initiatives developed and tested.
aCritical Care Medicine, Geisinger Health System, Danville
bHenry Hood Center for Health Research, Geisinger Health System, Danville
cDepartment of Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Joseph L. Smith, MD, Critical Care Medicine, Geisinger Medical Center, 100 North Academy Avenue, Danville PA 17822-2037
ABSTRACT