I gingerly sat down in the plastic lawn chair. I then quietly reached for my bow, nocked an arrow, and set it aside for easy reach, if needed. It was still at least 30-minutes before sunrise and darkness surrounded me in the native ground blind I had constructed a week before. It was dead calm. In the wake of a cold front, the wind was finally minimal and I was dripping with anticipation.
Something was wrong though.
Bow release? check. Binos? check. Range Finder? check. As the pre-sunrise light gradually increased, my line of sight was nil. It became painfully obvious that my main shooting hole was, well, not there. A couple of thick cedar branches, probably blown askew by high winds now covered the 10-inch circle that would allow a shot along the heavy deer trail. This was a nightmare and there was nothing in my pack that would save the day.
Or was there?
There have been all kinds of problem-solving hunting innovations over the years. These days, technology-based products are all the rage. For example, there are cellular trail cameras that ping you when your target buck makes a cameo appearance and range-finders that reveal distance and angle for bow shots. Then there are the many hunting apps that do just about everything imaginable for the hunter including finding hunting properties, analyzing topography, and tracking hunting conditions. Admittedly, I’m impressed. After all, when I started hunting, the biggest advantage I had other than my gun was the low-end 10X25 binoculars I toted around – and I thought they were pretty cool.
But, back to the story.
As you’ve probably figured out, there was a rudimentary tool that would come to the rescue during that morning deer hunt. You guessed it, a zip tie (actually two of them). I was able to exit the blind, carefully reposition the branches, and tighten them to the surrounding brush once again forming my precious shooting hole. Quickly and quietly. The hunt was back on.
I can’t think of a hunting tool that’s been handier in the field, stand, or truck than these slender plastic ties. Originally designed to hold airplane wires, this revolutionary strap was invented in 1958. Admittedly, I didn’t notice them until around 2000. The zip tie (or cable tie) has been a mainstay in my truck and hunting pack ever since.
Brilliant in their simplicity, these marvels come in a variety of lengths and strengths and can be found in many places from online to your local Walmart or hardware store. For the longer ones, I’ve had the best luck finding them at Lowes or Home Depot. Other than strength and versatility, their best trait may be how easy they are to pack. They are flexible and take up very little space.
I’ve often said that the creator of the zip tie deserves a Nobel Prize – and I stand by that.
Here are just a few of the valuable uses they continue to provide me on my hunting and scouting escapades.
Blind and Stand
Zip ties are fantastic tools for building or embellishing hunting blinds and stands.
As my story indicates, perhaps there is no better use for zip-ties than building or embellishing a tree stand or ground blind. There is no substitute for native brush and zip-ties securely attaches it to limbs and t-posts creating a natural looking lair for the ambush. I’ve long-since had the habit of leaving a few in the blind for needed patch jobs.
For the record, I’ve even used them to keep a problem blind door closed.
Deer drag
If you’ve never been stuck with a long dragging job with a downed deer, hog, or predator, you will at some point. The strength of these ties is amazing and if you’re smart, you’ll keep at least a couple of long ones (24”-36”) in your pack for this very purpose.
Attach them around the base of the antlers or through the back legs and you’ll be able to maintain a more upright position during the drag out. Wear gloves to lessen the strain on your hands and you’re in business.
Deer Tag
This common use is universally effective. Tagging your kill is essential and there is no better way to do so than with a small-medium-sized cable tie. Simply zip the required license tag to antlers between forks or through a pierced hole in the leg. You can rest assured it’s going nowhere. This method is far better than using tape.
Small-medium-sized cable ties are ideal for firmly affixing hunting tags to deer and other game.
Tree stand accessory pouch
I love this hack. If you have access to an old binocular case, koozie, shaving bag, or even an old purse from your wife, you can easily add utility to your stand. Simply pierce small holes in them and use zip ties to bind them to tree stand railing, nails, or a small branch. Now you’ve got temporary housing for items such as smartphones, glasses, keys, and your coffee tumbler.
Many common items, like a binocular pouch can be tightened to a blind or tree stand to hold personal items and accessories.
Gear wrap
Zip ties allow you to tightly secure gear of all sizes. This is ideal for all kinds of gear bundles. For example, you can bundle the pants, socks, underwear and top for the next day’s hunt. Your suitcase or duffle will thank you.
Zip ties are also great for cinching gear and accessories to your backpack or blind bag for easy access. Good candidates for this include caps, face masks, and calls. Speaking of calls, there is no better way to attach and silence your favorite rattling antlers, rendering them silent until you’re ready to use them.
Mock scrape licking branch
A couple of zip ties helped secure this licking branch at a mock scrape site.
Mock scrapes have never been more popular and zip ties are their best friend. Their quick cinching ability are great for hanging branches, vines, or rope at the perfect height for licking branches. Their strength means your licking branch will stay secure even during the most rambunctious scraping activity.
Bug Control
This is a good hack I learned from a friend. Early season hunts can be uncomfortably warm but perhaps the worst part is the mosquitoes and other bugs that descend on you. Zip ties are good for protecting the ankle and leg area. Simply zip them around the bottom of your pants leg and you’ll eliminate one of their favorite entry areas.
First Aid
Last, but certainly not least, zip ties can save the day during a medical emergency. While I’ve never had to do it (thankfully), zip ties are ideal for securing bandages or other cloth over wounds. Similarly, they can hold a splint to stabilize broken bones. They can also be a key ingredient in forming a tourniquet.
Steering Fence Line Traffic
Whitetails are creatures of habit. More than that, they like to take the past of least resistance. They’ll usually take unobstructed trails and protected funnels. Similarly, they prefer to go through or under fences than over them. Fence lines are always good crossings for deer. By creating easier travel, their routes can be made more predictable, which optimizes stand set up.
Use cable ties to stretch fence strands to create an opening for easy deer crossing.
Use a zip tie or two to stretch open the middle strands of fence wire and you’ve got a new route they’re sure to find. It’s like an ambush site waiting to happen. This is particularly effective for bowhunting where set up for a closer shot is paramount to success. If stretching a fence shared with a neighbor, you should seek permission first.
This list obviously only scratches the surface regarding zip tie uses for hunting. However, for them to work, you’ve got to have them. Keep them in your hunting pack or, at a minimum, your truck. The ties 8-10” in length are usually the best, but your best bet is to pack a a variety of sizes.
Remember, if you’re worried about space or having them scatter about, there is a solution; simply zip tie them together.
