what are you guys using to hold your bow while you're in stand?  It does not have to be mounted to your stand.  I am just curious what others are using and how you like it.  

I am thinking about going with a long arm to try to get the bow out in front of me a little to minimize movement after seeing an animal.

I sit while in a tree stand and either lay the bow across my lap or hold it vertically between my legs.  I tape an area in the grating near the front of  the stand platform shut to serve as a base for the lower tip of my bow.  

Where I hunt it's very thick, and I would seldom have the time to remove a bow from a hook to make a shot, and it would create too much movement if I could.

I hold my bow most of the time. I put a tree step in the tree on each side of the tree though. One for my backpack and one for my bow for when I do get tired of holding it in my lap.

I hold it on my lap.

I use the screw in arm. No problem getting the bow for a shot. I like to stand to shoot if possible and have been busted a few times.

I try to pick trees that offer a little cover so I can just use a hook screwed into a limb overhead.

I like the screw in hangers... I do want to get a longer one, so it is out in front of me a little more. As it is now, I have to turn a little and reach more than I like....

If I have to trim branches, I leave one several inches long in a strategic location.  I also hold it on my lap or screw a hook into a tree.

I always wear rubber boots, so with the longbow I just stick the tip down in my boot. Only move my hand a few inches to have it ready to go.

Don't work with recurves so well, last time I had a curve it fell outta the tree a couple times.  :D

I don't hunt from trees , but what I like to do is make a tripod with sticks about the size of broom handles .
Make it about 3 feet high and with one pole top towards me , I put my bow handle on that with an arrow on and the string across two legs of the tripod .
It's quite and stable , and nothing to unhook . Just pick the bow up and shoot .

Screw in bow hanger for when I first get in stand to get organized without having to hold the bow, while waiting it is in my lap or boot if sitting and resting on my boot top if standing.

When a limb is head high or above, not often, a little screw in holder/hook is nice and doesn't take up much space in pack.

I use the screw in with the hinge point, I want to find a different one though, as the one I have, the screw on it is too short and blunt and is really hard to get started in the Cottonwoods I hunt in! Usually have to screw a tree step in to get a hole started and then swap out to the bow arm. Problem that comes to my mind with the long arm you described is that it might be in the way of the limbs when shooting if it's long enough to hold the bow out in front of you. If you hunt the rut and don't want to get busted, get a decoy, you can do jumping jacks in your stand just about when they are keyed in on your decoys, but don't move a muscle till they can see it

I hold my bow in my lap or put the bottom limb in the top of rubber boot.

I use a short 24" arm and mount my camera to it as well

I've always used a screw-in type of long bow hook.  


Does anyone have any tricks (other than stiktamers) to keep the recurve limb from wedging onto the hook portion?

I put a piece of 3/8 ag tubing on mine. It helps a lot on stopping the bow from wedging tight on the hook.

I'm with Kenny on this subject.  stick it in my boot.  I have not had the issue with the recurve falling but I find it less comfortable on my ankle.

Use lone wolf stands.  I bought the trad grommet and I shove the tip down into it. Then it leans on my leg.