Authorities in southern Ohio are investigating the death of a hunter following an apparent treestand fall in Brown County over the weekend.
The Brown County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as 52-year-old Michael DeFinney of West Chester, Ohio.
First responders located Definney deceased in a wooded parcel near Straight Creek after responding to reports of an unresponsive hunter.
While the sheriff’s office has not released further specifics on the exact timeline or equipment involved, preliminary reports confirm he died from injuries sustained in a fall from an elevated treestand.
The incident remains under active investigation by the Brown County Sheriff’s Office and the Brown County Coroner’s Office.
This tragedy comes at a critical juncture in the deer season. With November days away and the rut kicking into high gear, tree stand traffic across whitetail country is about to reach its yearly peak.
It takes only a split-second misstep or a compromised strap for a standard hunt to turn fatal.
Whether you are running a hang-on, a ladder stand, or a tree saddle, staying tethered to the trunk from the moment your boots leave the dirt until they touch back down is the only reliable safeguard.
Use a Linemans Rope or Lifeline at all times. There’s plenty of options out from companies like Hunter Safety Systems.
Inspect your straps for dry rot, check your stand cables, and ensure your fall-arrest system is locked in on every single climb.
Be safe out there!
