RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- For National Tree Stand Safety Awareness month, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has shared a reminder to all hunters in Virginia to practice their ABC’s. This acronym was developed by the Tree Stand Safety Awareness Foundation to keep citizens aware an d safe during hunting season. DWR explained the abbreviation below:A: Always remove and inspect your equipment B: Buckle on your full-body safety harness securely  C: Connect to the tree before you leave the ground and slow down.  D: Destination; share your stand location for each hunt.DWR said the acronym is crucial for hunters to know, given the 13 tree stand incidents, including one death, that occurred during the 2025 to 2026 hunting season. A department spokesperson said almost half of the incidents happened to hunters who had not taken hunter education courses, while others didn’t have the right equipment, like a harness and tether, to safely use a fall arrest system."Let’s keep those memories safe, wear a safety harness every time you hunt off the ground and follow the ABC’s of tree stand and saddle hunting safety," said Jimmy Mootz, Virginia Hunter Education and Outreach lead.The department also included extra tips for hunters, including making sure you carry a whistle or horn on you at all times, ensuring you practice using your tree stand before going out for a hunt and wearing blaze orange in the stand to let other hunters know where you are.For more tips and education on these topics, enroll in their Hunter Education Course, visit the DWR Hunter Education program or visit DWR's website. ...read more read less