I wasn’t sure my tip was worth sharing, but decided to send it to help other Buckmasters fans who are getting on in years, or are a little on the heavy side.
Using a climbing stand is my favorite way to hunt whitetails. But, at age 52, I’ve had four back surgeries and a quadruple bypass. I’ve also added a couple inches to my waistline in the past few years, so this makes it very difficult to bend deeply once I’m in my climber.
Most climbers require you to slip your feet into bootstraps on the bottom section. This can be practically impossible with the health issues I’ve already listed, not to mention days when it’s cold and you have to wear bulky clothes.
Although a few stands come with a rope that helps you raise the straps, mine doesn’t. So, I came up with a simple device to help me get the bootstraps attached without bending.
I took a coat hanger, cut it to about 12 to 14 inches long, then bent one end into about a half-inch hook shape.
This rod enables me to reach the straps with very little effort, pull the straps up, slip my boots inside, and shimmy up the tree to enjoy the hunt.
There are no permanent ropes or straps to get in my way and I can return the sturdy little tool to my backpack when I’m done.
— Editor’s Note by Tim H. Martin
Any hunter who has used a climber — even the skinny hunters — knows the difficulties of straining to attach bootstraps on a cold, dark morning.
Frank Carieri’s tip is simple and unique, but very much worth sharing. His idea is bound to help a lot of hunters end the bootstrap blues.
If you have a tip or invention that makes hunting better for you — no matter how odd or trivial — please share it with us and your fellow Buckmasters fans!
Email your tips to huntingtips@buckmasters.com and if chosen, we will send you a cap autographed by Jackie Bushman and a hunting knife!
– Photo Courtesy of Frank Carieri
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• Staying Put: Virtues and Perils: The stick-to-your-stand philosophy is generally best.