I use a #4 or #5 treble fishing hook, I either pinch the barbs shut or file them off, then I melt some lead and pour it into a mold I made from a brick, where I chiseled out a depression where the hook will set in, then I pour in molten lead and let cool.(This is done to add weight to the hook)
Then I use a plastic zip tie through the eyelet, to make an opening where I can put the end of my bow pull rope through and tie off. I carry my tree hook in a large plastic medicine bottle in my pack, and if I drop something(as long as it's not my pack) I'll get it out and tie the end of my pull rope to the tree hook and go "fishing" for the dropped item.
You will be surprised how easy it is to hook the items, just make sure you have a couple extra feet of rope on your pull rope longer than your treestand height.
The older you get, it makes it a lot easier than climbing down and back up the second time around.
