When I used a climber I would, it would be across the top portion of the stand while I climbed, did it for 20+ years until I started using a permanent stand. The weapon was on safe, but it was loaded. I would always load and unload my weapon at my vehicle.
I use a line to pull my rifle up after climbing and lower it before going down. I leave rounds in the magazine with the chamber empty. I've heard of people getting a shot at a deer while in mid-climb but I haven't tried going up or down with the rifle and the opportunity has presented itself to me at times (if I had my rifle in hand).
That is interesting. And I 100% agree. It states you are not allowed to even be in possession.
I do. I remove round from chamber but magazine is full.
I have a bad habit of this, idk why just a bad habit I picked up. I really shouldn't either had a buddy up in Scott County about 25 year ago die from this exact thing.... pulling a muzzleloader up a tree while fully loaded, I still don't know what exactly made the gun go off.
First, my rifles do not have a round in the chamber when I climb into or out of my ladder stand, and my MZ does not have a cap on it. That said - and I'm going to take a lot of heat for this - I ALWAYS carry my gun into the stand over my shoulder instead of pulling it up with a rope. Over my shoulder (usually crossways diagonally across my back) the barrel is beyond/above my head. If I fall and somehow the gun goes off, the muzzle is beyond my body and pointed away. If I drop a rifle being pulled up by a rope, possible the gun hits butt first and goes off with the barrel pointed right at me up in the stand.
This is what I do as well.
I've done it both ways. For me, I find it easier to get in the stand and then pull the rifle up. But your reply got me to thinking. How many people pull and lower the gun barrel up vs. barrel down. I pull and lower mine with the barrel up, I guess that's why I always unloaded it. I have a thing about loaded weapons pointing at me. Unloaded, not so much.
The beauty of being a concealed permit holder. Legally allowed to carry it concealed or open and fully loaded day or night. This is my new rig. Makes it easy to get when mamma bear has me on my back about to rip my throat open. Boom! Six in the chest and one in the head for good measure. Yes, it's a 7 shot .357 magnum.
That is mainly why I use the line to raise and lower my rifle as well. It's just easier to mess with the rifle after I'm settled. My wife made me promise I'd wear a harness years ago even when using a ladder stand; I still feel obligated to do it. This adds to the hassle.
Watch it a deer is fixing to jump you
But I do put it on before I ascend.
