Whitetails Unlimited recently granted $5,500 to the Tree Stand Safety Awareness Foundation. The TSSA is 501(c)3 non-profit organization formed in 2016 by a group of outdoor industry leaders with the focus of enhancing tree stand safety. Their goal is to cut in half the estimated number of tree stand falls resulting in an emergency room department visit by 2023.
The grant provided by WTU will fund a new program TSSA is pursuing where educational pop-up banners will be provided to various states for use at hunter safety classes. The banners will raise safety awareness when using the three main styles of tree stands; hang on, climber, and ladder stand. Tree stand fatalities have dropped by 70% since TSSA’s inception and their program hopes to bring that number even lower by educating hunters on the importance of tree stand safety as they enter the sport.
“It is extremely important that all hunters exercise safe hunting practices,” said WTU Program Services Director Russ Austad. “TSSA’s vision of tree stand safety ties in perfectly with our DEER program and we couldn’t be happier to be partnering with them.”
About Whitetails Unlimited:
Since our beginning in 1982, Whitetails Unlimited has remained true to its mission and has made great strides in the field of conservation. Thanks to more than 475 chapters, 114,000-plus members, chapter volunteers, and corporate sponsors, Whitetails Unlimited has earned the reputation of being the nation’s premier organization dedicating its resources to the betterment of the white-tailed deer and its environment. Our mission is to raise funds in support of educational programs, wildlife habitat enhancement and acquisition, and preservation of the shooting sports and hunting tradition for future generations. To date, Whitetails Unlimited has expended more than $102.7 million on program services and activities that continue to enhance, and ultimately foster, our mission.
Stay connected with us: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WTU Website
For more information, contact:
Russ Austad, Whitetails Unlimited
Program Services Director: (920) 743-6777, Ext. 102