Dumas Man Talks Deer Hunting Safety After His Accident

Arkansas Game and Fish says most deaths during deer season come from hunters falling out of deer stands.

One hunter in Dumas talked about his life changing tree stand accident and how it has made him an advocate for safety.

As Lee Walt loads up his truck with tools at his Dumas deer camp.

His son grabs the gun.

All signs, it's buck season!

"It's a great time of year, leaves are falling"

He's got pictures to show some of his prize shots.

One of a bear, taken just four days before his life changing accident last season.

"The straps around the back of that stand disintegrated, just broke."

He was trying to secure a deer stand and fell 20 feet to the ground and was knocked unconscious.

He said that day, he made some serious mistakes, the first he wasn't wearing a safety harness.

"Squirrels can chew on them if you leave them up there too long the trees grow and expand."

Lee broke his pelvis and was in a wheel chair for two months.

"Couldn't put weight on either foot."

Now he's doing fine and teaching his son and his buddies about putting on a harness, before they climb that tree.

"Safety is more important than trying to kill a deer."

A motto not just for them, but all deer hunters this season.

"Take that extra time to make sure everything's ok.

Check your equipment out.

And don't take any chances it's not worth it."

The safety harness runs anywhere from $30 to $150, according to the brand and features you can get on them.

And you can pick them up at any sporting goods store.