Interim DEC Commissioner Sean Mahar has announced the release of the Hunting Related Shooting Incident (HRSI) statistics for 2024. It was the second-lowest number of incidents ever. Unfortunately, there was one fatality with a firearm.

There were 11 HRSI incidents in 2024. Four of them were two-party incidents and the remaining seven were self-inflicted, including the fatality. Two of the incidents involved illegal hunting.

There were also 11 elevated tree stand incidents logged in 2024 (most don’t get reported). Two of the falls were fatal, including one with no harness and the other with a harness that was not attached to the tree.

My condolences and prayers go out to the loved ones and friends of those fellow sportsmen who died. I’m hopeful that someday soon we will see a year with no fatalities to report. And I also want every year after that to have none as well.

One of the elevated stand incidents bears mention, so that we can all learn from it. Most of the incidents involved no harness but the one that I want to discuss did. A hunter with 56 years of experience had properly attached the harness, but during a fall the strap broke under the full weight of the hunter.

The strap showed signs of dry rot. The hunter sustained very serious injuries but survived.

When we teach hunter and bow hunter safety courses for the DEC at the Sullivan County Conservation Club, we always drag out a Fall Arrest System (FAS) that hangs in the back of the storage room. It was donated by fellow instructor Ken Hundeland to use as a teaching aid. Ken taught me that you should throw out your old harness at least every ten years and get a new one. We tell that to every student that we teach. By the way, the FAS that we use for the demo is one that Ken replaced with a new one. Smart.

Yes, I am aware that new Fall Arrest Systems and harnesses for them are not cheap. But I’m reminded of a time when I was complaining about the cost of a motorcycle helmet being $300 several decades ago. My friend Eric told me, “If you have a $50 head then get a $50 helmet.” He was right, and Ken is right. Throw out your old harnesses and get a new one. I don’t want to see any of us in these DEC statistics.

Another incident worth mentioning is that a hunter with 35 years of experience had a medical episode and fell out of a tree stand. A Fall Arrest System and harness was used and the hunter survived despite being suspended for four hours before being found. The moral of this second incident is that harnesses can and do save lives when used correctly. Make sure you use one and make sure people know where you are so they can find you in an emergency.

Check out all of your gear before going afield and make sure it is solid and up-to-date. Let’s all be safe while we enjoy the outdoors!

John S. Van etten is the current president of the Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Sullivan County, Inc.