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Post by dougedwards on Oct 18, 2010 8:19:04 GMT -5
This early season hunting can be somewhat different in that there is lots of foilage still on trees which can impede the shooting lanes required for us bow hunters. Here recently I have noticed that in general the whitetails are not as spooky as they will become later in the season and tend to walk faster to their destination and not stop as often to listen and sniff the air. This would seem like a good thing for the hunter but it has presented a potential problem for me as I usually hang my bow from a hook inserted into the tree where I have to reach up from a sitting position to grab the bow.
My hearing capabilities are not what they used to be as we have had recent rain here in Virginia and the ground is soft and I usually see the deer before I hear them. Problem is that I don't have long to respond because my shooting lanes are limited.
Do you guys hold the bow in your hand the whole time that you are in the stand or do you hang your bows in some way while sitting and waiting? Just wondering.
Doug
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Post by whyohe on Oct 18, 2010 11:52:38 GMT -5
I now have a X-bow. In my tree stand is a hoop that goes around the stand that encloses you in it. i set my boe on the hoop so that i can still move a little bit with out having to move the bow but i can still hve it in hand fast if needed. with a compound bow I would do the same thing. this way i didnt have to reach or turn around to get it. i try to keep my movements to a min.
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Post by Harley on Oct 18, 2010 11:55:27 GMT -5
I keep my grip hand under the sling and the bow across my knees; I don't like it that way because it ties up my hands, but I also can't hear deer approaching and the bow in hand is the only way I'd be ready.
Harley
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Post by tdillinger on Oct 18, 2010 11:59:29 GMT -5
I hang my bow cant hold it for long because it fatigues the muscles. Sometimes like you said they can sneak into your area. Many times I cannot get to the bow right away, I sit and wait for a good time to grab. For the last 10 minutes of light I will hold my bow with release attached resting bow on side of stand to hold the weight.
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Post by Dave W on Oct 18, 2010 15:08:33 GMT -5
I hang mine on a hook. I stand the first couple of hours of daylight and the last 1-1 1/2hrs of daylight so I am more alert and can reach the bow easier and get in shooting position if opportunity knocks.
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Post by barkbuster on Oct 18, 2010 18:20:55 GMT -5
i use one of the bow hangers that stick out from the tree about 15-20 inches and swivels, that way you can adjust it foe easy access. i also hang the bow at a height halfway between sitting and standing so i can reach it either way.
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Post by smokeless77 on Oct 18, 2010 19:50:17 GMT -5
I'm with Dave W, Stand most of the time.
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Post by dougedwards on Oct 19, 2010 7:51:47 GMT -5
I suppose I could stand for the first two hours of daylight and the last hour or so in the afternoon. I am not sure if it is veasible to hold my bow for that period of time as I am sure it would get to be heavy after a while. I have been wearing the Walker ear muffs to aid in my detection of movement but they do get in the way when I come to full draw as I place the knuckle of my thumb right under my ear lobe.
To reach around and slowly pick up my bow from an inserted hook, turn and get my feet right, twist and pull to full draw not only takes a little time but also provides for movement which cold be detected by the whitetail's acute sense of hearing or they may actually pick up the movement visually. A crossbow would be a tremendous advantage in such cases but I am determined to kill my deer "the old fashioned way". Thanks all for the replies.
Doug
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Post by splinter on Oct 19, 2010 12:06:46 GMT -5
Well it depends most of the time i have my Bow laying across my lap, with my hand through the sling, But then i have 2 hung my Bow, and I seem to have killed either way, I know some guys like to stand while in there stands, me I sit and stand, but i try and not move alot, I scan the woods with my eyes, But then i have a Very comfy Stand (Summit Viper), That i use most of the time but i have loc-On's to, and a Ole-man ladder.
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Post by Dave W on Oct 19, 2010 17:35:43 GMT -5
Talk about timing for a post. My buddy was in his stand last night, heard the deer coming off the other ridge but decided to sit, figured it was some does heading for the acorns and not sure if they would make it to him before light faded. There he sits when a hog and two of his buddies pop up right below him. Got busted lifting the bow off the hanger.   I haven't seen one for a long time and have no clue where I got mine but there was a company that made a sling that hooked to your belt with a pocket that the bottom cam sits in. Takes the weight off your arm if you hold the bow for extended periods. Pretty sure I have seen bowhunting pants with a similar feature sewed to the pant leg. |
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Post by splinter on Oct 19, 2010 18:00:39 GMT -5
Hogs we dont have them here, unless you want to go to some pay place, Not my Idea of hunting. I would love to Hunt Hogs, We dont even have them on the Farm In Ky, One was seen about 15 years ago there, but was a fluke. I have heard of them? But I use a Hook that mounts to my stand that always in the up postion, Just reach a few inches and slid your hand in the sling.
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Post by Dave W on Oct 19, 2010 18:19:59 GMT -5
Hogs we dont have them here, unless you want to go to some pay place, Not my Idea of hunting. I would love to Hunt Hogs, We dont even have them on the Farm In Ky, One was seen about 15 years ago there, but was a fluke. I have heard of them? But I use a Hook that mounts to my stand that always in the up postion, Just reach a few inches and slid your hand in the sling. Actually I was referring to a big whitetail.  |
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Post by Harley on Oct 19, 2010 18:22:08 GMT -5
I knew that!  Harley |
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Post by dougedwards on Oct 19, 2010 18:25:46 GMT -5
I am going to try to look for one of those slings. I can't be the only guy who gets tired holding his bow in place.
Doug
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Post by Dave W on Oct 19, 2010 18:48:42 GMT -5
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Post by smokeless77 on Oct 19, 2010 19:01:11 GMT -5
The Lone Wolf stands has the bow holder built right into it's base.
But the stands are pricey.
John
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Post by Jed on Oct 19, 2010 19:26:24 GMT -5
You might try this: I went to a carpet factory and got a bunch of the old carpet squares from patterns that were discontinued. I then zip-tied them to every stand I own. (it's easy to punch through the carpet with a zip tie.)
This does three things for me: keeps my stand quiet when I move my feet, insulates my feet from the cold metal, and provides a good rest for my bow. I usually alternate between sitting and standing, and I rest the bottom cam of the bow on the carpeted stand. I can do this without making any noise or hurting my bow. Further, it works in both the sitting and standing position, and keeps the bow in your hand.
The downside is you only have one free hand, so it is harder to rattle or something, but I don't do a lot of rattling anyway.
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Post by dougedwards on Oct 20, 2010 5:32:40 GMT -5
thanks Dave......just ordered one. Doug |
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Post by realhunter on Oct 20, 2010 8:25:02 GMT -5
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Post by redspinner3 on Oct 21, 2010 22:46:18 GMT -5
I use an easy hanger for standing and tree hook for sitting
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Post by sagittarius on Oct 22, 2010 8:30:37 GMT -5
Doug, If I'm up in my treestand, I usually alternate between holding my bow between my knees (Compound) laying my crossbow across the rail, or hanging either one from time to time. I have padding around my platform and rails so I don't damage the pretty finish on my bows, lol. When I hunt from a blind, I sit on a DB stool and usually have my bow in my lap most of the time. |
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Post by pposey on Nov 4, 2010 11:32:44 GMT -5
If the woods are reallllllyy dry and noisy I'll hang mine, otherwise it's in my hand ready to shoot wiether I'm standing or sitting
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Post by bloodtrailer on Dec 15, 2010 12:20:52 GMT -5
I have my wife put a big pocket on my left side shirt(near the hip) like the old BDU uniforms and put my lower limb in the pocket(you can do the same with a cloth loop) left hand stays on the grip(while standing ) no weight ,you can stand like that a long time. When a deer comes in rotate the bow,attach release lift and shoot VERY LITTLE MOVEMENT ;)TO ALERT THE DEER. Sitting the bow rest on my climbing stands rail, left hand near grip. Only time not holding bow is peeing(getting old can't hold it  , never use to go when hunting) If you put it(the  bow )down the deer seem to know & show up. I do the same ,for gun season but use a big Coat pocket on the right side, resting the but in the pocket and lifting to shoulder to shoot. |
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Post by toosensitive on Dec 15, 2010 17:28:27 GMT -5
I use a hanger like the Realtree above, however, mine has 3-4 hooks on the bottom so you can hang other stuff; backpack, rattln antlers, binoculars. 1st and last 1/2 hr of the day she's clutched in my hand.
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Post by dougedwards on Dec 21, 2010 15:19:38 GMT -5
I did try the sling but it doesn't go well with a Summit Climber. I think my delima lies not within the sling but with the tree stand. It is very narrow and every time I stand up the cup on the sling gets caught on the side of the stand causing an irritating rubbing sound. For the time being when I am not standing I keep the bow on the top of the climbing bar laying laterally. The QAD rest holds the arrow in place.
The problem is that I am getting old and it gets exhausting to stand for hours like I did when I was a youngster.
Doug
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, never use to go when hunting) If you put it(the 
bow )down the deer seem to know & show up. I do the same ,for gun season but use a big Coat pocket on the right side, resting the but in the pocket and lifting to shoulder to shoot.