Hold your bow or hang it up?

[fishorhunt]

Another deer stand question - do most of you put a hook up and hang your bow or hold on to it. I usually hold onto mine or lean it into my waist when in the stand. My dad won't get into a stand unless it has a hook to put his bow on. Seems like extra movement to me. How about you guys?

 

[Blaster]

I hold mine all the time. The timber i hunt is thick and the deer are in shooting range before i see them most of the time.

 

[bowman]

It would be ideal to hold it for the obvious adantage of reaction time on fast moving or unseen bucks. That said, I spent alot of hours on stand making it almost impossible to hold it the entire time. I usually get tired of holding it or my hands get cold and need to retreat into my hand muff.

 

[Limb Chicken]

ditto what Bowman said although I can't seem to get my muff to come with me...

 

[Pupster]

I'd say about equal time. I like to give my muff some attention too.

Pupster

 

[muddy]

Limb

i usually hang my bow unless it's the first hour or last hour of light when my view starts to get impaired.

 

[deadeye]

Have these real nice and convient bow holders that look like a U that the limb of your bow goes into. Very handy and accessable. When I use the climber I lay the bow on the rail right in front of me.

 

[ironwood]

I hang mine most of the time as well. Strickly a matter of comfort for me. When it looks as if something could develope, or as Muddy stated last light, I'll hold it. If you prefer to stand while up your tree, as I do, I would think it easier to get your bow off the hook and prepare for the shot. I still consider myself a rookie and I could change my mined over time.

 

[firedog]

I'm with Muddy. I hang my bow except the first hour or last hour. Also if the action is pretty hot.

I use one of those newer hangers that folds out. I can put it in the tree above me and stretch it out so when I hang my bow the grip is almost "eye level". Works great and there is very little movement when I reach for it!

 

[Liv4Rut]

my bow is always hanging on a limb for easy grabbing. I cant stand holding my bow in the tree, especially sitting. by having my bow in the tree instead of my hands it helps me judge deer better, i always go by first reaction, and if its big enough to grab my bow, i know its a shooter and dont have to think about it twice, if i see it coming and dont grab the bow, i let it walk. same way with my dad, he hangs it up and if his first reaction is grab the bow he knows hes got a good one on his hands, kind of like this late muzzle, i had a doe tag and buck tag left, i had a 130 and 7 does around me, i was just casually aiming at all the deer next thing i new kabooom and i shot a big old doe, then i just sat there and thought i knew i shouldnt of grabbed my gun lol

 

[Shredder]

I hang my bow on a team realtree EZ hanger (I made a ton of these last summer) The bow is always right in front of me for quick pick up. When I hear a deer approaching, get done rattling, see a deer, etc, I pick up the bow. There has not been an instance I can think of where I was not alert enough to get the bow picked up and ready for the shot because my bow was hanging up.

 

[Critter]

90 percent of the time my bow is on a hanger, but 90 percent of the time I position my stands on the backsides of the tree and stand or place a knee on the seat while hunting. For some reason I've never felt comfortable sitting down, and by standing with the bow hanging right in front of me its not a problem removing the bow from the hook with very little movement.
CRITR

 

[IowaBuckMaster]

Always hold on to it. Up and ready 50% and resting on lap or holding 50%. Except for brief moments, like use of binocs, stretching, rattling. Been snuck up on in past. I can think of a couple P&Ys I would not have taken if bow were not up and ready.

 

[Buckhunter]

Alway's hang mine until I see deer.Although there's been a few time's I wished that I had been holding it when they appeared out of nowhere!Everyone has had that happen at sometime I'm sure when they just materalize.

 

[simplesimon]

I'm with Shredder. My wife bought me the team realtree "ez" hanger and I love it. It allows the bow to be in perfect position when that crucial shot is about to take place and you need to grab the bow with as little movement as possible. I have never been busted yet. I have tried several bow hangers and I think is the best one on the market.

 

[Bakes]

Dirtball & Shredder have the right idea with the realtree ez hang. This is the first year that I used one, won't enter the woods without one again.

 

[huntingfool4life]

i've killed both of my bucks with my bow usin the ez hanger- they are by far the best hangers out their-- in my opinion. if you dont have one yet, u need to try one i think you'll love it!!

 

[Old Buck]

I always hang mine because I always glass a deer before deciding to shoot and 99% of the time shoot it on video rather than with an arrow. I've even glassed, then taped, then shot buck a couple of times but that can be pushing it unless he is a fair distance off.

 

[alaskanwhtail]

I hold onto it at all times the arrow is always knocked and the release is always on the string waiting for the old rutting buck to stroll by. I've been caught before when i was young and i still can't get over it. Won't ever happen again