Hunting-related spinal cord injuries among Oklahoma residents

While major causes of traumatic spinal cord injuries have been described as motor vehicle crashes, falls, sports-related events, and injuries related to violence, causes of serious consequence but of lesser magnitude have not been widely reported. This report, drawn from Oklahoma State Department of Health spinal cord injury surveillance data, describes the incidence and circumstances surrounding hunting-related spinal cord injuries. All of the injuries resulted from falls from trees or tree stands. The incidence rate of injury was less than one per 100,000 licensed hunters. Half of the injuries resulted in neurological damage severe enough to result in permanent paralysis or death. The circumstances of the injuries suggest a need for educating hunters concerning safe hunting practices and safe tree stand use, including inspection of trees for weak or dead branches, and use of a safety belt when ascending, descending, or sitting in a tree or tree stand.