I have my rope already up in the tree for gun season, i tie to sling so gun is canted...

I use a ladder stand so I never raise or lower my gun by a rope. I use my sling. Gun is of course unloaded when I climb up or down.

I always tie-off to my sling as well as some of the other posters. Again, key is to make sure that there isn't a bullet chambered when ascending and descending.

You may opt to use a "finger glove" and place it over the barrel to ensure that no debris gets in. ("Finger glove"--not sure of the correct terminology--is similar to the finger portion of a rubber glove and resembles a small rubber--sorry for the comparison.)

I usually have my rope about 3ft off the ground so the barrel doesnt come in contact with the ground...

DITTO!

all good responses....safety and logic win all the time

I one side of an S hook closed and I tiea piece of parachute chord to the closed end. I then tie a loop in the rope about two feet above the hook, this is for the barrel. I keep the rope hanging from my stand so the end is about three feet off of the ground. When I arrive I put the end of the barrel through the loop and attach the hook the the trigger guard. It holds the muzzle up and next to the rope, this is very manageble and the gun doesn't swing aroung banging into the tree. I've never used one but a caribiner would probably work even better.