Lt. Michael Bloxom of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division handed control of the Hunter Education Program to WFF’s R3 staff on September 1 this year, but as he heads toward retirement, Bloxom highlighted the effectiveness of hunter education with a milestone achievement during the 2024-2025 season.

“We actually had a record low number of accidents last season,” said Bloxom, who will retire at the end of the year. “We only had seven accidents, and that includes treestand accidents. Historically, two-thirds of our accidents involved a treestand. This past season, we had four firearm and only three treestand accidents. I hope that means we’re finally getting the messages out about using safety harnesses and other safety equipment. But three is still too many.”

Unfortunately, one of the treestand accidents resulted in the only fatality of the season. The accident occurred in Bankhead National Forest, which is known for its rugged terrain with plenty of gorges, canyons and steep ridges.

“The person was by himself and didn’t have a safety harness on,” Bloxom said. “He was found at the bottom of a 40- to 45-foot bluff. He had his stand positioned facing the cliff, and he fell into the ravine.”

The accident report indicated a pull-up rope was attached to the stand, but there were no definitive clues as to what happened. These types of incidents are avoidable. Following the treestand guidelines below will help ensure hunters safely enjoy their time outdoors.

“We don’t really know, but he may have lost his grip and fallen into the ravine,” Bloxom said. “To be safe, you have to have a fall arrest system and be connected to the tree at all times. Eighty percent of treestand accidents happen on the way up or the way down.”

Bloxom cautioned that a fall from any height can be dangerous. One female hunter was exiting a tripod stand when her jacket caught on the stand, causing her to fall.

“She fell 10 feet and had serious injuries,” he said. “Even falls from short distances can kill or do significant harm.”

The other treestand accident last year involved a stationary stand that had been erected more than a year earlier.

“If you leave the lock-ons up, the heat and cold, the rain, and the trees growing can make those straps give way,” Bloxom said.

This season, one treestand accident and one firearms accident have already occurred. The treestand accident involved trying to place a ladder stand on a tree.

“A lot of these ladder stands require two or three people to put up,” Bloxom said. “Two people have to hold it while the other straps it to the tree. The report showed that the treestand actually bent backward as he was trying to put it up by himself.

“And we had another shooting at a low bird on a dove field.”

Bloxom said the Hunter Education Program will be in good hands with the R3 (recruit, retain, reactivate) staff, including R3 Assistant Chief Justin Grider, R3 Supervisor Lt. Bill Freeman, and Conservation Enforcement Officer Katie Burks.

Grider paid tribute to Bloxom’s long career in WFF Enforcement as well as his role as Hunter Education Coordinator.

“Michael has been with the agency for almost 30 years and has been a great asset,” Grider said. “He trained me when I started as a regional hunter education coordinator in the District III office. He’s done a lot to train staff, and he’s supported our volunteers for a long time in his position. We’re grateful for his dedication to the agency and his focus on keeping hunters safe.”

Grider said the Hunter Education Section is now under the R3 umbrella with the goal to complement and streamline the basic hunter education and advanced hunter education programs.

“Lt. Freeman will now be in charge of the hunting outreach component of our agency, and Senior Officer Katie Burks, who has been with the agency for almost 10 years, will be the new Hunter Education Coordinator and will serve the entire state in that role,” Grider said. “We will also be increasing our interactions with hunter education graduates, providing them with the next steps to connect to opportunities in the outdoors, including public places where they can recreate. Access and time are the two biggest things that people mention when they don’t continue to hunt. We can’t do anything about the time, but we will make sure they know all about the access to opportunities.”

Grider and Bloxom predict a bright future for Burks as Hunter Education Coordinator.

“She’s really great with the public,” Grider said. “She goes above and beyond. We know she is going to do a great job.”

Bloxom added, “Katie will do a great job and lead us into the future.”

As always, hunters are urged to follow the 11 guidelines for using a treestand safely:

1. Always wear a safety harness, also known as a fall-arrest system, when you are in a treestand, as well as when climbing into or out of a treestand. Statistics show that the majority of treestand incidents occur while climbing in and out of a stand.
2. A safety strap should be attached to the tree to prevent you from falling more than 12 inches.
3. Always inspect the safety harness for signs of wear or damage before each use.
4. Follow all manufacturers’ instructions for use of a safety harness and stand.
5. Follow the three-point rule of treestand safety. Always have three points of contact with the steps or ladder before moving. This could be two arms and one leg holding and stepping on the ladder, or one arm and two legs in contact with the ladder before moving. Be cautious that rain, frost, ice, or snow can cause steps to become extremely slippery. Check the security of the step before placing your weight on it.
6. Always hunt with a plan and, if possible, a buddy. Before you leave home, let others know your exact hunting location, when you plan to return and who is with you.
7. Always carry emergency signal devices such as a cell phone, walkie-talkie, whistle, signal flare, PLD (personal locator device) and flashlight at all times and within reach even while you are suspended in your fall-arrest system. Watch for changing weather conditions. In the event of an incident, remain calm and seek help immediately.
8. Always select the proper tree for use with your treestand. Select a live, straight tree that fits within the size limits recommended in your treestand’s instructions. Do not climb or place a treestand against a leaning tree.
9. Never leave a treestand installed for more than two weeks ,since damage could result from changing weather conditions and/or from other factors not obvious with a visual inspection.
10. Always use a haul line to pull up your gear and unloaded firearm or bow to your treestand once you have reached your desired hunting height. Never climb with anything in your hands or on your back. Prior to descending, lower your equipment on the opposite side of the tree.
11. Always know your physical limitations. Don’t take chances. Do not climb when impaired by drugs, alcohol or if you’re sick or fatigued. If you start thinking about how high you are, stop climbing.

All four of the firearms-related incidents during the 2024-2025 season were due to pointing the muzzle in an unsafe direction and not following the 10 Commandments of Firearm Safety.

1. Treat every firearm as if it were loaded.
2. Control the muzzle of your firearm. Keep the barrel pointed in a safe direction. Never point a firearm at anything that you do not wish to shoot, and insist that your shooting and hunting companions do the same.
3. Be sure of your target and beyond. Positively identify your target before you fire, and make sure no people, livestock, roads or buildings are beyond the target.
4. Never shoot at water or a hard, flat surface. A ricocheting bullet cannot be controlled.
5. Don’t use a scope for target identification; use binoculars.
6. Never climb a tree, cross a fence or jump a ditch with a loaded firearm.
7. Store guns and ammunition separately. Store firearms under lock and key and use a gun case to transport firearms.
8. Make sure your barrel and action are clear of all obstructions.
9. Unload firearms when not in use. Never take someone else’s word that a firearm is unloaded. Check yourself.
10. Avoid drugs and alcohol when hunting or shooting. Even some over-the-counter medicines can cause impairment.

For those interested in firearms instruction, WFF’s Hunter Education Unit hosts multiple one-day courses teaching firearm safety and marksmanship. Go to Outdoor Alabama’s website and search for a course near you from certified firearms instructors.

David Rainer is an award-winning writer who has covered Alabama’s great outdoors for 25 years. The former outdoors editor at the Mobile Press-Register, he writes for Outdoor Alabama, the website of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.