TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2009//
TI  - Injuries due to falls from hunters' tree stands in Pennsylvania
JO  - American journal of preventive medicine
A1  - Smith, James L.
A1  - Lengerich, Eugene J.
A1  - Wood, G. Craig
SP  - 433
EP  - 436
VL  - 37
IS  - 5
N2  - 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.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0749-3797
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2009.06.019
ID  - ref1
ER  -