Louisiana Hunter Rescued by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Agents and Local Sheriff’s Deputies

Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana - A hunter was rescued by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents and Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office deputies after falling from a tree stand, suffering rib and back injuries.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) stated on January 16, 2023, that enforcement agents and Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office (NPSO) deputies successfully rescued a hunter following a tree stand mishap on January 14 in Natchitoches Parish.

Around 3:25 p.m., LDWF agents and NPSO deputies received a call regarding a stranded hunter who had been hurt after falling from his tree stand. Agents and deputies arrived quickly and discovered the injured man. The hunter was subsequently removed from the woods by agents and deputies, loaded into a helicopter, and taken to LSU Health Shreveport hospital with rib and back injuries.

LDWF agents will lead the investigation into this hunting accident. Due to the terrain, agents and deputies needed almost two hours to rescue the hunter from the woods and transport him to the waiting helicopter. At the time of the accident, the hunter was not wearing a safety harness.

According to the hunter, he had completed his hunt and was climbing down his ladder stand when he lost his footing and fell 12 feet to the ground, striking a limb in front of his ladder stand. He was able to call a friend, who subsequently dialed 911 for assistance.