Help with lofting hooks

[popa bear]

Sorry to all in advance if i come over as being a bit thick but i have just taken delivery of some lofting hooks.I would have assumed the weighted end of the hook would be hollow to put the lofting pole in to put the decoy up in the tree.On these hooks the weighted parts are solid is this a fault or am i supposed to use the end of the hook part to put the pole in please be gentle with me

[steve_b_wales]

The weighted end fits into the lofting pole.

[popa bear]

Just had another look and no spur just the continuation of the hook is this what you mean also just had a look on the evil bay and all the hooks on there are like mine with no obvious spur but no pics of the bottom of the weighted end to see if they are hollow

Edited December 29, 2016 by popa bear

[popa bear]

The weighted end fits into the lofting pole.

Oh okay i did wonder if they did i have bought some poles from Full marks but they haven't arrived yet so i don't know how big they are

[Old Boggy]

As Steve said, the weighted (solid) end fits into the hollow end of the lofting pole. Once all poles are gradually joined together and hoisted up, the hook is then hooked over a branch and the poles can be

removed to put another decoy in place.

Removal can be made easier by putting or taping a funnel into the top pole. This way it is easier to

locate the weighted bit into the funnel, raise it up to clear the hook and then bring it down.

Instead of a funnel, I use a bit of 2mm wire doubled up to go into the hollow part of the top pole with a ring about 4 inches in diameter formed horizontally out from the top of the pole. Easier to draw and

make than to explain in words !

Hope that this helps.

 

OB

[Konnie]

As above,

Practice on a low branch, as getting them down can be more testing than getting them up.

[Bobba]

A bit of advice on using the poles.

 

Always make sure the are securely locked together - some have a pop up locking stud which does this. The reason for this advice is that sometimes a decoy gets stuck in a branch and you will try to dislodge it by pushing the poles up and down against the decoy. If the poles are not securely locked together there is the risk that they can separate and the top pole will drop at 32 ft per second squared and possibly hit you and do considerable damage.

 

This happened to my shooting buddy last year. He required micro stitching to his top lip. The point of impact bein 3 inches away from his eye where the consequences would have been life changing.

[popa bear]

Thanks for the advice guys have done some lofting with my home made stuff but decided to treat myself to some proper kit out of my christmas bonus.The poles turned up today and christ was i surprised i didn't think they would be quite that large in diameter and can see clearly now that the hooks weighted end will fit into the end of the pole.Off to try the new toys out now will have to go to somewhere i can drive to as the kit is getting heavier and heavier oh well plod on

[steve_b_wales]

Thanks for the advice guys have done some lofting with my home made stuff but decided to treat myself to some proper kit out of my christmas bonus.The poles turned up today and christ was i surprised i didn't think they would be quite that large in diameter and can see clearly now that the hooks weighted end will fit into the end of the pole.Off to try the new toys out now will have to go to somewhere i can drive to as the kit is getting heavier and heavier oh well plod on

As mentioned, make yourself a funnel, which makes life a lot easier when getting the hooks back off the branches. I used a cut down tub of reloading powder, which works a treat.

[snow white]

Another little tip is put some red paint on the bottom of the solid part it makes it easer to see against the sky.

[marmite]

us a cheap 4 -6 inch funnel makes it much easier

[Wooder]

watch out when your taking them down. they hurt if they hit you!!!!

[Bluebarrels]

One of the best bits of advice when using lofting poles Watch out for any overhead electrical cables,otherwise getting your deeks down will be the last of your worrys BB

[stockybasher]

As mentioned, make yourself a funnel, which makes life a lot easier when getting the hooks back off the branches. I used a cut down tub of reloading powder, which works a treat.

 

I use a 1'5 litre lemonade bottle - cut off the bottom of the bottle and fix the bottle mouth on the lofting pole. Bit of gaffer tape to secure, job done....!

Gives you that few extra inches to capture the decoy hook end