HSC Treestand Safety 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the TMA (Treestand Manufacturers Association) label on a treestand indicate?
- The stand has been independently tested and meets industry safety standards (Correct answer)
- The stand is approved for use in all 50 states
- The stand was manufactured in the United States
- The stand has a lifetime warranty
Correct answer: The stand has been independently tested and meets industry safety standards
The TMA label means the stand has passed independent safety testing for load limits, structural integrity, and compliance with industry standards.
Question 2: When should a hunter attach their safety harness tether to the tree?
- Before leaving the ground and while still at the lowest point of the climb (Correct answer)
- Only after reaching the desired hunting height
- After settling into the seat of the stand
- Only when wind speeds are high
Correct answer: Before leaving the ground and while still at the lowest point of the climb
Attaching the tether before leaving the ground ensures the hunter is protected from the very first step and throughout the entire ascent.
Question 3: If you fall from a treestand and are suspended in your harness, what is the first self-rescue step recommended to prevent suspension trauma?
- Use a suspension relief strap or foot loop to stand up and take weight off your legs (Correct answer)
- Remain completely still and wait for rescue
- Remove the harness immediately
- Swing yourself back to the tree trunk
Correct answer: Use a suspension relief strap or foot loop to stand up and take weight off your legs
A suspension relief strap allows you to stand and pump your legs, keeping blood circulating in your lower body and preventing suspension trauma.
Question 4: What information should you leave with a trusted person before going to your treestand location?
- Your exact stand location, expected return time, and what to do if you don't check in (Correct answer)
- Only your cell phone number
- The name of the landowner only
- Your license number and tag information
Correct answer: Your exact stand location, expected return time, and what to do if you don't check in
Leaving your location, return time, and an action plan ensures someone can send help quickly if you are injured and cannot call for assistance.
Question 5: What is the maximum weight limit that most treestand manufacturers specify for their stands?
- 300 pounds, including the hunter and all gear (Correct answer)
- 150 pounds for the hunter alone
- 500 pounds total
- 200 pounds of gear only, not including the hunter
Correct answer: 300 pounds, including the hunter and all gear
Most treestand manufacturers set a 300-pound combined weight limit (hunter plus gear), and exceeding it dramatically increases the risk of structural failure.
Question 6: Which type of treestand generally poses the greatest risk of falls due to the way it is set up and used?
- Hang-on (fixed-position) stands without a separate climbing system in place (Correct answer)
- Ladder stands with full-length side rails
- Tripod stands placed on flat ground
- Ground blinds elevated on stilts
Correct answer: Hang-on (fixed-position) stands without a separate climbing system in place
Hang-on stands require a separate method of climbing (screw-in steps, strap-on steps, or a stick ladder), creating more opportunities for falls compared to self-contained ladder stands.
Question 7: According to hunter safety guidelines, firearms carried into a treestand should always be:
- Unloaded until the hunter is fully secured in the stand (Correct answer)
- Loaded with the safety on throughout the climb
- Left on the ground and retrieved by a partner
- Stored in a locked case attached to the tree
Correct answer: Unloaded until the hunter is fully secured in the stand
Keeping the firearm unloaded during the climb prevents accidental discharge if the hunter falls or the firearm strikes the tree.
HSC Treestand Safety 2
What does the TMA (Treestand Manufacturers Association) label on a treestand indicate?