Keeping an Excalibur ready for action?

[houser52]

This is my first year hunting with my Vortex. I hunted from a ground blind a couple times last week and it was very comfortable sitting there with my xbow resting right beside me, on it's stand, ready to go in an instant.

I hunted from one of my ladder stands last Saturday and it got to be very uncomfortable sitting there holding my Vortex for 6 hours. I had screwed in one of those little hooks to use but that wouldn't work... too small. I also had a small limb that I had sawed off to hang the xbow from... didn't work either. xbow in the way.
I need to do something. If I'm not comfortable I tend to move around a lot.

How do you guys hang your xbow when hunting from a tree stand without having to hold it the entire time?

[jeshoffstall]

The last two weekends I hunted a variety of lock ons and ladder stands. I used my realtree bow hanger and it worked like a champ. Screwed it in at eye level standing, hung it by the stirrup and when I sat the thumbhole stock was right at easy-reach level!!

[houser52]

Thanks for the tip.

Did you screw it directly behind you at eye level or off to one side?

What length hanger did you use? I want to make sure it's long enough so I wouldn't bump into the xbow while it's hanging.

[bucknbill]

I hunt from ladder stands when in a tree, and they all have a shootin rail so i put my bow there with the stock in my lap..i can sit comfortable a long time like that..plus the shootin rail helps me feel more secure

[ComfyBear]

No need to spend the kind of money asked for the RealTree hook, just go to any hardware store and get one of those plastic covered bicycle hooks which sale of under a dollar.

The only problem I have is the dampness of the tree gets to my back no matter how many layers I wear

Just cut a piece of medium density styrofoam (pink or blue) to put between your back and the tree. I make my own stands out of wood, so I also place a piece on my wooden bench to sit on, and I'm warm and dry.

[houser52]

[quote="ComfyBear"]No need to spend the kind of money asked for the RealTree hook, just go to any hardware store and get one of those plastic covered bicycle hooks which sale of under a dollar.

Thanks for the suggestion but, yep,tried that. Didn't like it.
Trying to hang the xbow so it will be out of the way yet easily accessible is like trying to hang a TV antenna near your stand.

[strum]

i just use a tree step to hang mine ..i put camo tape around my stirup so its quiet ..not metalic sounds..

[rayman]

I hunt from ladder stands when in a tree, and they all have a shootin rail so i put my bow there with the stock in my lap..i can sit comfortable a long time like that..plus the shootin rail helps me feel more secure

Same for me. Used to make my own stands, now I get the 2-seater ladder stands from Walmart for about $110. Plenty of room to take my little boy and nephew (not at the same time though). They have a rail all the way around with foam pipe insulation. I put an extra bar on the rail that makes it taller and for added structural integrity. I also put burlap or other blind material around the rail for concealment. Leave a strap hanging to pull my weapon of choice up with. VERY SAFE AND COMFORTABLE. My OldMan climber also has a gun rest.