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Grappling hook ideas. DIY or off the shelf

deertrout

Well-Known Member
Jun 20, 2019
251
563
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Northern Michigan
I picked up one of the beast 3 fingered hookers when they came out, works pretty well but I haven't needed it much. Was thinking about selling it but I'm switching to one stick this year and can see it saving the day at least once a season. Was thinking I could attach it to the loop on the bottom of my rapel rope when needed.
 

Weldabeast

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SH Member
May 23, 2019
12,569
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Northeast Florida
Fair enough, I have Doyle's inside my packs. I hook that to my gun or crossbow, then I tie a pull up rope to my pack. I have dropped a glove once.
I rereading and u asked about fishing it up everytime and then I started in.....I'm not advocating fishing stuff up. I got a doyel I use also for pulling up my bow. I have the grapple for emergency or if u need to tie limbs back outta the way etc...

I don't understand the logic of fishing for ur stuff each hunt either
 

Loopwing

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Mar 10, 2020
1,477
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Virginia
I rereading and u asked about fishing it up everytime and then I started in.....I'm not advocating fishing stuff up. I got a doyel I use also for pulling up my bow. I have the grapple for emergency or if u need to tie limbs back outta the way etc...

I don't understand the logic of fishing for ur stuff each hunt either
Yeah. I understand the emergency completely! Everytime, or even once, if that was the intention before I left the ground, makes no sense to me.
 

Maverick1

Well-Known Member
Aug 2, 2019
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I am asking seriously, why? I am always looking for better ways. What am I missing?
From what I have seen, a couple of ways to get the bow up the tree:
1. Retractable hoist (Doyle’s, dog leash)
2. Rope/webbing (paracord)
3. Strap to backpack
4. Fish it up with a hook (apparently this is a thing?!)

I use paracord. One end tied on and permanently attached to the webbing on the outside of my saddle, other end attached to the bow on the ground night with a flexible rubber coated wire. Ascend tree, pull up bow, stuff Paracord into dump pouch.
 

Iron_llama

Well-Known Member
Aug 4, 2020
2,236
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NW MN
How much stuff are you guys dropping that a hook device is needed? Do you really use it that often? Asking as a true question. (I dropped a couple of hand warmers during the season last year, that’s about all I can think of.)
I drop more stuff when I don't have a hook to retrieve it with. With a hook, dang near nothing.

My hook is a very large (I think Size 0) Eagle Claw treble hook. I filed off the barbs and rounded over the points. The eye is large enough to fit over the carabiner from the EWO Dynaglide kit. Next step is to epoxy a decent magnet to it, in case I ever drop an arrow and need to catch my broadhead.
 

Iron_llama

Well-Known Member
Aug 4, 2020
2,236
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NW MN
I have a stand pack and bow to go up. Stand on my back during original climb. I might try bringing the bow and pack up together on my retractable but if that sucks I'll have to grapple one or the other to get it up
I 1-stick and climb on my rappel line. I tie my pack to the end of my rappel line and my bow to a dog leash, replaced the leash with Dynaglide from EWO. At the end of the hunt I just drop my pack, lower my bow on my rappel line, and use my Dynaglide leash to pull down my rappel line. If I didn't want to drop my pack I'd wear it down the tree. I guess I could lower my bow on my treble hook but I haven't seen a need for that. Besides, I like to swing it a few yards away from the trunk so I'm less likely to drop anything on it.
 
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Cbigbear

Well-Known Member
Oct 19, 2015
514
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I am asking seriously, why? I am always looking for better ways. What am I missing?

It prevents the possibility of wrapping the rope on - sticks, limbs, vines, moss, etc. I can climb the tree in the easiest manner - topside lean, around limbs, wrapping the tree, etc. My bow is dropped in a clear spot to the stand & I fish it up. Because of this I use a gear reel not a retractable. I switch years ago after a couple hang ups.
 

always89y

Well-Known Member
Vendor Rep
SH Member
Jan 2, 2019
2,315
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Knoxville, TN
I've been using a glow in the dark weighted squid jig for years. Then I glue a magnet to the center to pick metal items/phone

5pcs Luminous Squid Jig Hooks 12 Stainless Steel Needles Fluorescent Fishing Cuttlefish Sleeve Squid Jig Baits Night Fishing Fresh/Saltwater Lures Baits https://a.co/d/iOFJXMN
f3cb3d85152cad2f5b07f2b6c4926746.jpg


Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk
 

Jeremy_D

Well-Known Member
Mar 7, 2020
360
214
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46
Wisconsin
LOCATION
Baraboo
I don't understand the logic of fishing for ur stuff each hunt either
I dont understand the confusion. Stand goes on my back retractable hooks to bow or pack I go up...fish up the last item. I may be able to hook the bow and pack together but I have dynaglide in my retractable and Im not sure what kind of PITA its going to be pulling the weight of my bow and pack up at the same time.....so I may have to fish up the last item
 

shmelton

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jan 5, 2020
540
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I use a snagging hook or gator hook…I may have to give the squid jig a try.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

HuskerInIowa

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SH Member
Aug 18, 2022
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Never occurred to me to carry one until I saw this thread and now I see Tethrd is coming out with one in a couple days so I’ll probably spend $50 on that instead of making my own for 37 cents. Knock on wood I haven’t dropped much. Forgot to attach the paracord to the bow to pull it up once so I guess it would’ve saved an extra trip that day. Couple handwarmers and a can of Copenhagen but I don’t see the hook helping me out there.
 

TheBlindCat

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Apr 9, 2022
306
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35
I have this, the hooks work fine and it stows easy without exposed hooks. The magnet on it isn’t strong enough to grab anything of substance. I did buy a stack of magnets in the shape of a donut at Home Depot that I’m going to toss in the pack. Take up no room, weight nothing, but could easily retrieve a broadhead or rangefinder (oops) on the end of my pull down rope.

 

Shapeshifter

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Sep 22, 2022
427
572
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56
Anybody use the the Booger Treestand Retriever? Seen a review on it on Staggs in the Wild. Looks pretty slick. I was thinking about giving it try. Not sure how much it cost though, probably expensive for what is I'm assuming.
 

Blacksmith

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SH Member
Dec 10, 2018
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Bucyrus OH
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Bucyrus OH
I don't drop stuff that often. I don't like carrying more stuff than I need. When you get to my age Sht happens. I forgot to hook my bow on my pull up rope once!! lol
See, if you just carried a fish hook that would not have been a problemResized_20231014_165314_878.jpegResized_20231014_165337_443.jpeg
 
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Blacksmith

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Dec 10, 2018
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Bucyrus OH
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Bucyrus OH
Never occurred to me to carry one until I saw this thread and now I see Tethrd is coming out with one in a couple days so I’ll probably spend $50 on that instead of making my own for 37 cents. Knock on wood I haven’t dropped much. Forgot to attach the paracord to the bow to pull it up once so I guess it would’ve saved an extra trip that day. Couple handwarmers and a can of Copenhagen but I don’t see the hook helping me out there.
I bet if you wanted that coppenhagen bad enough, a fish hook might work for you.
 
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Exhumis

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Mar 12, 2019
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Northern Virginia
Here’s the one I use:
TEC Accessories RETREEV - Mini Grappling Hook Retrieval Tool Tactical Keychain Hook, Keychain for Men and Women, Key Organizer, Keychain Accessories, Compact Cool Keychains, Keychain Holder https://a.co/d/21iLI9V
IMG_1002.png
What I like most is the prongs remove and slide inside the body for easy storage. It also has a magnet at the tip which came in handy retrieving my crossbow crank after I fumble fingered it.
 

jphillips97

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SH Member
Feb 8, 2021
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Shout out for EWO. Here is what I carry. I say carry because I have not used it (yet).

 
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