Tips & Tactics

Extra Treestand Hands

Extra Treestand Hands

By Gary Whitbeck

When you climb into your treestand and get settled in, it seems like there are never enough limbs to hang all your stuff on.

And those tiny screw-in bow-holder hooks that come with a rope won’t allow you to hang very many items.

I’ve found that the larger screw-in hooks made to hang bicycles in your garage make really ample treestand gear hangers.

Even though they were originally created for bikes, ladders and tools, the hooks are perfect for dangling my backpack, binoculars, calls, bow, quiver and such.

These hangers are heavy duty enough that you can hang several deer hunting items on just one hook.

It’s like having an extra set of hands in the treestand. If I see a deer, I can slip off my binoculars, grunt call or whatever quickly and quietly.

I carry several hangers in my pack and get them started when I get settled in. If it’s a tree I use often, it’s okay to leave them there until next time. But I don’t leave them in the tree during the off-season so tree bark won’t grow around them, and they can rust or weaken.

Extra Treestand HandsWhen I need a break from holding my bow, I leave a little space toward the end of one hook to hang it on.

I really like having one hanger dedicated to hanging my quiver. If I need a follow-up shot, I have an arrow already loose in the quiver so I can grab it quickly and not struggle to deliver one from quiver to string.

Bicycle hooks come in a variety of sizes and weight classifications, and you will want to choose a size based on the type of tree you use for your stand.  Remember — the harder the bark, the smaller the hook should be.

If you want to use a larger hook on hard-barked trees such as oaks, using a tree-step tool to create a starter hole is a good idea. Pine trees will be easier to get a hole started.

Rubber coating is another good aspect of using bike hanger hooks. This eliminates the chance of any metal-on-metal clanking that might occur.

Next time you are headed to the hardware store, put “bike hangers” on your list and give them a try.

If you have a unique or special tip you’d like to share with Buckmasters fans, please email it to huntingtips@buckmasters.com and, if chosen, we will send you a cap signed by Jackie Bushman, along with a knife!

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