I first empty my gun. Then I tie a rope right behind the trigger guard. Then I put a reverse loop right behind the front sight and pull the gun up after I am in my stand. I always raise it and lower it with the barrel pointing up but it is never loaded. I also put a ballon over the end of the barrel to keep out debris. My hunting partner has a soft case that he puts his gun in, ties a roop around it with loops and pulls it up in the case.