CPSC, Bass Pro Shops Announce Recall of Hunting Tree Stands

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Bass Pro Shops of Springfield, Mo., is recalling 2,140 tree stands used by hunters.The tree stand's buckle may in some instances have a sharp edge that can fray and break the gray nylon strap securing the stand to the tree. Consumers can be seriously injured if the strap breaks and the stand falls from the tree, especially if the consumer is not wearing a safety belt.

Bass Pro Shops has received 3 reports of the stand's straps fraying or breaking and Warren & Sweat received an additional 25 reports. One person fell from a tree, resulting in leg and ankle fractures and a sprained lower back.

The tree stand involved in this recall is sold under the brand name Warren & Sweat Mag-Lock Plus tree stands. The metal tree stand has a grid platform, measuring about 17 inches wide by 25 inches long, supporting a camouflage canvas covered seat. The seat sits about 19 inches above the platform. The tree stand has a 4-inch gray nylon strap that is permanently attached to the tree stand and buckle. There is a 67-inch black nylon strap that secures the stand to the tree. This black nylon strap is removable. There is a gray sticker on the tree stand that reads in part, "Warren & Sweat Treestands." There is a drawing of a deer on the label.

The tree stands were sold nationwide by sporting goods stores and the Bass Pro Shops mail order catalogue and in Missouri by the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World store. The tree stands were sold from August 1994 through December 1994 for about $50.

Consumers should stop using the tree stands immediately and call Bass Pro Shops at (800) 554-5488 to receive a free replacement buckle and gray nylon strap, or return the treestand to the store where purchased for replacement of the buckle and gray nylon strap.