A hoist for elevating a hunters tree stand from the ground to a vertical position alongside of the trunk of a tree comprises a segmented, extendable and contractible pole having a tree clamping ring assembly pivotally mounted to the top section of the pole and a V-shaped jaw for engaging the tree trunk near the bottom of the pole. A first rope is tied at one end to the clamping ring assembly and extends down to a retractable reel located near the bottom of the pole. By pulling on this rope, the clamping ring assembly can be pivoted to an angle allowing the ring to pass about the tree trunk and when released, the clamping ring assembly pivots downward under the force of gravity which secures the pole to the tree at its upper end. The clamping ring assembly further includes a pulley, about which a second rope is deployed. One end of the second rope is adapted to be connected to the hunters tree stand at its upper end and the other end can be pulled on to elevate the tree stand.
