Bow Hoists: Rope vs Retractable

A bow hoist is a rope that gets your bow up the tree after you're attached and set. You can use a plain rope or a retractable unit like the Huntin Hoist that reels the line back in. Both work. The difference is tangles, bulk and noise.

I use a Doyle's Huntin Hoist, a retractable hoist, and I keep extra rope in a Latitude side bag.

Why you haul instead of carry

TMA says never climb with anything in your hands, and to use a haul line to raise an unloaded bow or gun once you're at height. Latitude adds that arrows should be unnocked and in the quiver when you haul it up. See saddle hunting safety for the full checklist.

Rope vs retractable at a glance

Tradeoffs summarized from the reviews and user threads in Sources.

Three options, specs side by side

Specs from the maker or the listing named, checked October 10, 2026. Prices are approximate.

Doyle's specs come from its product page, which lists a 4 1/2" housing and a spring steel belt clip. Doyle's says its Gear Cinch transfers the load to the rope instead of a plastic or metal clasp. The Hunter Safety System strength figure is from a retailer listing, not HSS.

What you give up going cheap

A plain rope does the job for under $10. The cost is managing it: in a Kentucky Hunting forum thread, one user says a rope will tangle in your steps if you let the end blow in the wind, so tie off the bottom. Another suggests a bigger diameter rope.

What more money buys

A retractable unit like the Huntin Hoist keeps the line contained, so there's no loose rope in your lap or at the base of the tree. The tradeoffs reviewers and users report are bulk, some mechanical noise, and internal tangles if you let the line snap back. ActiveCaliber's reviewers suggest feeding the cord back in by hand.

Rope length

Bow Gear Shop suggests 30 to 40 feet is enough for most treestand and saddle heights, and that longer ropes add weight and tangle risk. All three options above, from the Huntin Hoist to the Allen rope, are 30 feet, so check that against how high you hunt.

Other good options

• Muddy Magna Lift. Another 30 ft retractable option with nylon rope, per a retailer listing.
• AmSteel or paracord. Bow Gear Shop says AmSteel has less memory and kinks less than hardware store rope.

Questions hunters ask

Can I lift my pack with a retractable hoist? Check the rating. Doyle's lists a 200 lb breaking strength. The HSS listing gives about 30 lb pull strength.

Rope or strap? Doyle's sells both, the 230 rope and the 5W30 strap, at the same length and strength. One Kentucky Hunting user says he's been happy with the strap version.

Sources

• TMA treestand safety guidelines: https://tmastands.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/English-TSG.pdf
• Latitude Outdoors Method 2 instruction manual: https://manualspro.net/522950-latitude-outdoors-the-method-2-saddles-and-starter-kits-instruction-manual
• Doyle's Deer Gear products page: http://huntinhoist.com/products.php
• Farmstead Outdoors, Hunter Safety System Bow & Gear Hoist listing: https://farmsteadoutdoors.com/product/hunter-safety-system-bow-gear-hoist-30-foot-hss-gh/
• Kentucky Hunting forum, "Retractable bow hoist": https://www.kentuckyhunting.net/threads/retractable-bow-hoist.189261/
• ActiveCaliber, Summit and HOUSTASK retractable hoist reviews: https://activecaliber.com/summit-treestands-retractable-gear-hoist-review-is-this-the-end-of-tangled-pull-ropes/ , https://activecaliber.com/houstask-ultra-silent-retractable-bow-hoist-review-the-ultimate-solution-for-stealth-hunters/
• Bow Gear Shop, "Bow Hoist Rope Guide": https://bowgearshop.com/blogs/news/bow-hoist-rope-guide-what-to-look-for-in-a-treestand-or-saddle-setup