21 Oct 2014
LJ Smith, 2014 HOF Inductee
This years’ Treestand Hall of Fame Inductee was Lorne “L.J.” Smith, Jr. Presenting the award on behalf of the TMA members and Board of Directors were John Louk, Executive Director and Bob Ransom, TMA President for his many inherent
and distinctive contributions to the Association and also the hunting industry which include the following:
- was instrumental in planning and participating in the first organizational meeting for the treestand industry in 1989 and has supported TMA by promoting treestand safety since its inception;
- was instrumental in producing and publishing one of the first treestand safety videos in 1997 and has freely given of his time and expertise in reviewing scripts for video productions and other publications to educate and inform the consumer on best treestand safety practices;
- has a passion for teaching treestand safety, as a volunteer, faithfully contributed more than 1,000 hours of his time conducting training for instructors and conservation officers in treestand safety and treestand accident investigation;
- since 2001 has served as consultant, investigator and expert witness in support ofmanufacturers and retailers in more than 400 hunting and treestand related accidents;
- has shown a commitment to promote treestand safety by sharing numerousrecommendations to manufacturers to enhance product design and also improve thehunter’s safety;
- because of his willingness to serve others, is regarded as a trusted friend by members of the Association and also many in the hunting industry;
- has represented himself with the utmost of integrity and is respected not only as a professional but also as a person in the treestand and hunting industries
