Michigan ERs Brace for Deer Season: Hunters, Ladders & the Laws of Gravity

Every November 15, Michigan hospitals prepare for two things: gunfire echoing through the woods and an influx of hunters that forgot gravity is undefeated. As firearm deer season opens, emergency rooms across the state — from Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids to Henry Ford in Detroit — brace for the annual wave of tree-stand-related injuries.

Michigan Hospitals Gear Up for the Annual November 15 Rush

Doctors say most of these injuries happen not during the hunt itself, but while climbing up or down to treestands. According to Spectrum Health's Dr. Bruce Murray, opening day injuries in Michigan range from broken limbs and internal trauma to spinal fractures and paralysis. Translation: it's not the buck that's dropping — it's the hunter.

How to Stay in the Woods (and Out of the Emergency Room)

A few simple tips (and the use of safety equipment) can help keep you upright and out of traction:

• Always...ALWAYS wear a full-body harness. "Seatbelts save lives" applies to trees, too.
• Check your stand often for weak boards or loose bolts.
• Don't mix deer season with beer season. Gravity doesn't care if it's "just one."
• Let someone know where you're hunting.

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Sure, harnesses don't look cool, but they look better on you than a hospital gown (and they're a lot less breezy in the back).

Deer on the Road — The Other Michigan Danger Zone

It's not just the hunters who need to stay alert — drivers do, too. With deer on the move, Michigan roads are a real-life game of "Frogger." Ingham County Sheriff Gene Wriggelsworth reminds motorists to never swerve to avoid a deer; that's how you end up in the ER next to the guy who fell out of a tree stand.

RELATED: 2024 Data Reveals Michigan Danger Zones: 83 County Car - Deer Crash Rankings

So as you head into another firearm season opening day in Michigan, remember: whether you're climbing, driving, or just trying to make it to Thanksgiving with all your limbs intact — slow down, buckle up, and stay grounded. Literally.