Best way to get rifle up in deer stand?

Was wondering the best method to hoist your rifle up into a ladder stand. I’ve used a pull rope for a bow, but on a long gun it seems to me it may swing around too much and bang into the tree or metal ladder. They always tell you for safety reasons not to have anything on your back when climbing, although I have done this had the rifle on a sling but it was a short ladder and much smaller climb up and down. Just wondering how some of you did it without damaging your rifle. If you used a pull rope where did you attach it on your rifle?

I use a pull up rope tied to the stand and hanging off the ground high enough that when attached at the back of the trigger guard the gun muzzle (pointing down) is off the ground. I make sure, when I set the stand, that I have a clear pull up path...no branches, twigs, vines, etc. I just slowly and carefully pull it up and haven't had any issues with it hitting anything.

If you have a case with a loop or handle in a position that will keep the gun muzzle down, that's another option if you're afraid of banging it against the stand.

Same here; I have a pull up device called a Strapper that had a 30' spool of strapping and clips for attaching the rifle and one to put the strapper on your harness. I run my strap through the back of the trigger guard as well, my gun pulls up barrel down and doesn't swing.

Strapper, no tangles, light, easy to wind up the strap and lasts forever;

update: I checked and this gear hoist is no longer made but there are plenty of them out there that are just like it made by other companies. Good thing I have two of them.

Pull up cord.

I put a leather shotgun sling on mine, attach pull rope to the middle of the sling and pull it up. I bring the gun up level with the ground so the muzzle isn't pointing at me. I also have a leather flint stall on the frizzen, no powder in the pan and hammer down.

Spikebuck said:

I use a pull up rope tied to the stand and hanging off the ground high enough that when attached at the back of the trigger guard the gun muzzle (pointing down) is off the ground. I make sure, when I set the stand, that I have a clear pull up path...no branches, twigs, vines, etc. I just slowly and carefully pull it up and haven't had any issues with it hitting anything.

If you have a case with a loop or handle in a position that will keep the gun muzzle down, that's another option if you're afraid of banging it against the stand.

Click to expand...

nchawkeye said:

I put a leather shotgun sling on mine, attach pull rope to the middle of the sling and pull it up. I bring the gun up level with the ground so the muzzle isn't pointing at me. I also have a leather flint stall on the frizzen, no powder in the pan and hammer down.

Click to expand...

Those are most likely the best options. Being an old hardcore bowhunter for many years, treestands are the norm, with climbers being the only type I have used up until this past season. I found a 21 food ladderstand on sale so I purchased it for hunting a known deer travel route hunting grounds.

For many years, I have used two different paracords. One for my backpack and one for my bow or rifle. This past year, due to the age of my paracords, I thought I would try a little heavier and larger size pullup cord. Other than the little additional weight and bulk, it has worked out pretty well overall in both my climbers and the ladderstand.

A couple of things I did learn was that it is not safe to climb a ladder stand with a backpack on, due to transitioning from the ladder up onto the platform. Thus, the second pullup cord helped.

Secondly, when tying the rope around the muzzleloader, it is easy to control it for the most part while rising it up. If tied on correctly, the muzzle will be pointing straight down. As long as I pull slowly until the muzzleloader is off of the ground, then I experienced no banging or clanging against the ladder stand parts. The one thing I ascertain after pulling it up into the stand is, I like to take a peek at the muzzle to ascertain no dirt, mud or debris plugged off the muzzle. I do the same after lowering it to the ground.

So, yeah, tie a pullup cord on properly and pull very slowly until the ML is completely off of the ground. Keep the movements easy while pulling it up and you will be fine.

Old guy stuff ...on my farm, we have rules about this ...Never hoist a loaded gun of any kind, period. Unlike some others, I prefer to hoist muzzle up to avoid the possibility of having the gun fall muzzle-down into mud/snow. If alone, I tie a cord around the barrel/front portion of the long gun, lean it against the tree, climb the stand, get situated with everything, then hoist it up slowly.

Empty pan and capless nipples every time. I never climb higher than I want to fall.

I take the cap off and carry it in my hand. When I go out with flints probably blow the pan out and reprime up top. It's easier if your ladder isn't 90° straight up, a small angle is helpful to keep your center of gravity climbing with one hand.

RobertIN said:

I take the cap off and carry it in my hand. It's easier if your ladder isn't 90° straight up, a small angle is helpful to keep your center of gravity climbing with one hand.

Click to expand...

Me too.

RobertIN said:

I take the cap off and carry it in my hand. When I go out with flints probably blow the pan out and reprime up top. It's easier if your ladder isn't 90° straight up, a small angle is helpful to keep your center of gravity climbing with one hand.

Click to expand...

I used to use that method but I find it simply is not near as safe as using a pull-up rope, thus allowing the use of both hands whenever climbing. It also led to some clanging the ML against the ladder.

Anyway, that's my thoughts on this. Everybody to their own thang.

Pull rope for gun & backpack

I hunt ladder stands 99% of time anymore. I have a sling on my 54 flinter and hook it over back and up stand I go. When I get to the top, I unsling it and hang it on bow holder. Sit done then lower the shooting rail then the rifle is then primed and the corner of butt plate and toe plate fit perfect in grate cut outs on standing platform, and the rifle rest against shooting rail between my legs. Its a perfect fit until I have to stand up if deer are behind me. The I stand up raise seat rifle is then positioned in corner between seat and shooting rail. If I do use a pull rope it means I am in a climber and I ALWAYS put a cover over the muzzle and front sight, and I always unprime it before raising it and lowering it from tree with rope. Reason being is its muzzle heavy and I have gotten gobs of dirt in muzzle and front sight before - this prevents it. And unless I am about to potentially take a shot I have frizen stall in place for extra safety.

I have a modern camo slip on/slip off Uncle Mikes rifle sling I put on the rifle, throw it over my shoulder and take it up with me. I take the sling off after I get in the stand.
Ohio Rusty ><>

Try a sling like this its awesome.

All well and good - many good thoughts. Now ...HOW DO YOU RELOAD WHEN YOU'RE 15 FEET UP IN THAT THERE STAND? OR DO YOU?

sheriff john said:

All well and good - many good thoughts. Now ...HOW DO YOU RELOAD WHEN YOU'RE 15 FEET UP IN THAT THERE STAND? OR DO YOU?

Click to expand...

Yep, sure do. Even in a smaller climber.

I’m up no less than 21 feet to 30 feet. Just have to be creative and figure out the best way for each ML and stand. I reloaded a couple of times this past season, once in a climber and once in a ladder stand.

sheriff john said:

All well and good - many good thoughts. Now ...HOW DO YOU RELOAD WHEN YOU'RE 15 FEET UP IN THAT THERE STAND? OR DO YOU?

Click to expand...

I'm 6'6" I use the 1.5 man stands with large platforms (i like room and comfort) reloading is no problem just the same as standing on the ground.

Johnny Too-Tall said:

I'm 6'6" I use the 1.5 man stands with large platforms (i like room and comfort) reloading is no problem just the same as standing on the ground.

Click to expand...

Makes sense. Most of ours have no "floor", thus nothing to rest the gun butt upon. Short barrelled guns - JBMR, "Hawkens", etc. are less problematic than full-length. Gotta be a trick someone's successfully used. Holding between the knees don't work for me. Still can't reach the muzzle without possibly dropping the gun.

This........ have two of them and should have four or five and no need for other 'gear'. Works great from center fire to ML...

Third Hand Tree Stand Gun Hoist

The last thing you need is a rope to break, a sling stud to pull out or whatever non-sense is bound to happen. This is the best thing I have seen and tried.