What is the best way to get a gun into a tree stand?
 

I left work early to do some hunting in the afternoon. I made it out to my tree and used my climber to go up about 18'. After I got the climber locked into place I sat down and started using a rope to pull my gun case up to the climber. I was looking over the side and pulling the gun case up when just under the tree stand the gun case handle broke off. When the rope went slack I ended up punching myself in the mouth and then I watched the gun fall to the ground. It was heart breaking watching my 2 week old gun fall helplessly into the swamp.

Has anyone else been this unfortunate? Is there a better was climb a tree with a gun?

RE: What is the best way to get a gun into a tree stand?
 

I just carry it over my shoulder w/ the sling

RE: What is the best way to get a gun into a tree stand?
 

I have an Avery Floating gun case. I either sling it over the shoulder or bring it up with a rope.

RE: What is the best way to get a gun into a tree stand?
 

Shoulder sling w/o a round in the chamber.

RE: What is the best way to get a gun into a tree stand?
 

With the gun unloaded I tie a rope (climbing grade 8mm) around the stock behind the trigger guard. I lower it the same way but swing it a little at the last so that the barrel isn't driven into the ground. Both ways the barrel is pointed down. The rock climbing gear rope is strong, doesn't get knotted up, and the extra thickness is easier on your hands during raising and lowering.

RE: What is the best way to get a gun into a tree stand?
 

I make sure I don't have a bullet in chamber...Tie a rope to stand tie other end to gun strap...and get setup in tree..then pull gun up...I tie rope in middle of strap so it comes up horizontal...I don't want muzzle pointing at me...once I get it up, I use a crow call to hide the sound of me working bolt to put bullet in chamber....Don't really know why you would want to bring gun case up the stand with you??? Good Luck

RE: What is the best way to get a gun into a tree stand?
 

I started keeping the gun in the case about 2 years ago. I use to pull the gun up with out a case but one day I went to load load a bullet and there was a clump of dirt in the chamber. I had to go back to the truck and and flush out the dirt WD-40. Since then I just left it in the case. Once i take out the gun I lower the case back to the base of the tree. It's a camo case that I spray with scent lock. I'm actually glad it was in the case after watching it drop.

RE: What is the best way to get a gun into a tree stand?
 

I used to use a rope to raise and lower my firearm and day pack but have gone to unloading my firearm, slinging it barrel down over my head and one shoulder and climb into or out of my stand/blind. I do this because the barrel over my shoulder will hit my blind door top when I duck my head to enter 16-ft off the ground. With a muzzleloader I have to reverse the direction of the barrel, but stay aware of where the barrel is so I don't hit the door top with the barrel. Good luck!

RE: What is the best way to get a into a tree stand?
 

I'm surprised at how many people climb with there . I was taught to never climb with my . I had never given it much thought till mine dropped after the case handle broke. I also just bought a new tree climber and it even came with a DVD that had a warning section that said to never climb with a bow or back pack.

RE: What is the best way to get a gun into a tree stand?
 

Same here SeaHunter, I don't hunt the swamps so I can lay my gun on the ground without any problems, Just being careful of the rocks and stuff and then pull it up after I get settled in my stand, I also have a short piece of cord that I tie my gun with after I'm in the stand, just in case I doze off and drop it. I thought at first that it might be in the way but after about 2 years of doing it that way it has not once been a henderence to me in anyway, and also if a person was to drop his gun from the stand, not to mention the damage it would receive, I would'nt want to be in a stand with a loaded firearm hitting the ground below me.

RE: What is the best way to get a gun into a tree stand?
 

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.

RE: What is the best way to get a gun into a tree stand?
 

I use a rope to pull my gun up. If you are worried about getting dirt in the barrel, put a piece of elecrical tape over it. I do that to keep snow out of it.

RE: What is the best way to get a gun into a tree stand?
 

I think a few people do not 1) realize you are using a climber, or 2) have not used a climber, because you cannot sling your gun over your shoulder and use a climber, especially one with a bar (like a Summit Viper). Even hand climbers require too much movement to sling your gun and climb either safely or efficiently.

I simply attach a haul line to the upper half of my climber. I then run the other end of the line through the trigger guard (the gun's empty---it cannot fire). This ensures that the gun comes up/goes down butt up/barrel down. I have a rubber cover (picked up at the hardward store in the loose bolt section) that I slip over the barrel.

I keep the haul line attached to the top half of the climber, so I don't forget to have a line with me.

And I'll second the concern of slinging a gun while climbing, although I myself will sling my gun when using a ladder stand.

RE: What is the best way to get a gun into a tree stand?
 

I do have a Summit Viper X4 tree climber. If I was using a ladder stand I would not think twice about just slinging over my shoulder.

I also went and purchased a Allen soft gun case this weekend. It has nylon handles that are sewn to the case sides. I pulled with a lot of pressure just to make sure they would not rip. This case also has a camo print so I'll most likely just lower it to the ground after removing the rifle like before.

RE: What is the best way to get a gun into a tree stand?
 

You guys are all wrong. The best way to get a gun into your treestand is as follows: load weapon and put one in the chamber. Click saftey off and stand it against tree. Climb into stand then ask mother-in-law to hand it up stock towards you, make sure she has finger on trigger.;)

RE: What is the best way to get a gun into a tree stand?
 

Good idea Muley. Except my mother-in-law is too good a cook. I don't understand the problem here. I use camo nylon rope you can get for about $2.00. Nothing in the chamber and I tie mine to the sling at the rear so the butt of the gun comes up first. If you are in a swamp I'd look at the floating case as an option. Last Sunday I took a youngster out who has a Summit Climber, not sure of the model but it looked like a Bow stand since there wasn't a bar across the front. I asked him where his rope was and he pointed to the nylon strap that came with the stand, about 4' long. Cursing myself for being 1 mile from the truck I pulled my own $2.00 rope out and gave it to him. I went about 15 yards away and climbed up in my Viper with my gun unloaded and slung over my shoulder. I should mention I hunt with a Bull Barrell Rem 260, not very light. Anyway it wasn't comfortable but it is possible. I like the ballon idea. I'll probably steal one from my 3 yr old when he's not looking. Be SAFE up there and I hope you get what you're after.

RE: What is the best way to get a gun into a tree stand?
 

I too lower and raise mine unloaded with a rope. One word of advice stemming from an incident that happened to me this year. I had checked all around for deer, then lowered it to the ground and climbed down. I started to gather my things when a large doe ran past me not more than 10 feet away. I watched her go and then looked at my unloaded . Always reload when you hit the ground! : )