Hunting from an elevated tree stand is a common way to hunt, but there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to staying safe. 

With many hunting seasons in Michigan opening in September – National Tree Stand Safety Awareness Month – it's the perfect time to brush up on what you need to know about hunting from a tree. A few things to remember:  

• Always maintain three points of contact (one hand and two feet or two hands and one foot) when climbing up to or down from the stand. 

• Wear a full-body harness that is properly attached above your head. 

• Ensure your tree stand is securely attached and stable before using it. 

• Use a haul line to get your hunting gear to and from the stand. 

Watch this short tree stand safety video for more tips. 

Tree stands placed on public land must be labeled with the hunter’s information in legible English that can be easily read from the ground and include one of the following three options: the hunter's name and address, their driver's license number or their DNR Sportcard number.  

During every hunt, make safety your top priority. Need a refresher? The DNR's hunter education program teaches tree stand safety, firearm handling, first aid and other important skills. 

Visit Michigan.gov/HunterEducation to locate a hunter safety course in your area or read more tips on the hunting safety webpage.

The next meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission – Thursday, Sept. 12, in Lansing – leads off with a Wildlife Committee agenda that includes an update on future engagement of the deer management initiative, followed by a discussion of the Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger program. 

The meeting also will cover a series of awards, a budget update, discussions of fisheries and land use orders, changes to the Canada goose program, a legislative report and several land transactions. 

The day starts at 9 a.m. at Lansing Community College, West Campus Rooms M119-121, 5708 Cornerstone Drive, in Lansing. See the draft meeting agenda and remaining 2024 meeting dates at Michigan.gov/NRC. 

For more information or to request time to speak at the meeting, email [email protected]. 

In the September episode of the award-winning "Wildtalk" podcast, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Michigan's Threatened and Endangered Species Law, a milestone that highlights half a century of conservation efforts in the Great Lakes State. We take you through some of the historical and current conservation efforts, including bringing trumpeter swans back from the brink, and the northern long-eared bat, the newest addition to the Threatened and Endangered list. Then, we hear from our partners at Michigan Natural Features Inventory about their efforts to conserve rare species.  

Pete Kailing, senior wildlife biologist in the southwestern Lower Peninsula, also stops in to talk about hunting and trapping opportunities available in September, including the Liberty Hunt, small game seasons, early antlerless deer season and the wild turkey fall hunting season. 

Visit the "Wildtalk" webpage for the latest episode, as well as show notes and links to past episodes. Questions about the podcast? Email [email protected].