Hang-On Tree Stand Stability

[BowhunterXC]

I read about "hybrid" hunting, meaning using a Hang-On stand with saddle hunting gear. A Hang-On stand would give you more foot room and the option of a seat for added comfort. The last one that I owned was a Lone Wolf Alpha.

It's been many years, since I've owned a Hang-On stand.
How stable are they for side pressure, compared to a standard saddle hunting platform?

 

[Shapeshifter]

It's never going to be as stable as a saddle platform due to the seat post height and attachment point being so much higher up. You can mitigate that some by running a lower strap as well. Even doing this I don't believe it takes side pressure as well as a true saddle platform. You can also run few extra steps on a ROS if you need to get to the backside of your tree. I do really like the extra foot room as well as the ability to stand up tight to the tree. Also not having to worry about any weak side shots is sweet.

 

[Bowtie747]

I use two straps on my LWCG .5. I set a strap, do a “cam” from my top step. Put my second strap on and most of the time that’s all I need. Usually doesn’t need a toe cam. I use a second strap because there is no reason not to and for the reason of being able to push off the stand.

I can fully push off with all my weight and the stand doesn’t kick out.

 

[AttackMode]

I use 2 straps (amsteel and trucker hitched) and have no movement. I'm 180 lbs.

 

[Westdesign03]

I don’t feel like you should treat hybrid hunting with a hang on the same way you would treat normal saddle hunting with a platform. Yes you could likely get the hang on to take side pressure but in my experience you don’t really need to. That’s the benefit of the extra room. Just stand or lean and turn where you need to go for a shot. If you have to lean out further than the stand edge, rest your knee against the tree and pivot out a bit to get the right angle. Some guys flip the seat cushion over for a knee rest.

 

[Benb]

I read about "hybrid" hunting, meaning using a Hang-On stand with saddle hunting gear. A Hang-On stand would give you more foot room and the option of a seat for added comfort. The last one that I owned was a Lone Wolf Alpha.

It's been many years, since I've owned a Hang-On stand.
How stable are they for side pressure, compared to a standard saddle hunting platform?

I recently bought an alpha 3..wide v taper and super stable with both straps on

 

[Freddybowhunter]

I don’t feel like you should treat hybrid hunting with a hang on the same way you would treat normal saddle hunting with a platform. Yes you could likely get the hang on to take side pressure but in my experience you don’t really need to. That’s the benefit of the extra room. Just stand or lean and turn where you need to go for a shot. If you have to lean out further than the stand edge, rest your knee against the tree and pivot out a bit to get the right angle. Some guys flip the seat cushion over for a knee rest.

Agreed with this. If I did have a need to push off the side of my .5 I normally only do it with 1 foot while my other knee is into the side of the tree. It wiggles but I have zero fear of it becoming dislodged. I only use 1 strap

 

[BowhunterXC]

If the tree stand comes with 2 straps, I'm using both of them. If the owner's manual says that it's an option to use one or two straps, that's the only way I'd use 1 strap.

Only using 1 strap could create some instability in the platform.

 

[katiesmom]

I have a LWCG Ranger hybrid i got last year. That bad boy's teeth grip like no other platform or loc on I've ever used. I have not hesitated to put side pressure on it while hunting.
It.just.doesnt.move

 

[BowhunterXC]

I have a LWCG Ranger hybrid i got last year. That bad boy's teeth grip like no other platform or loc on I've ever used. I have not hesitated to put side pressure on it while hunting.
It.just.doesnt.move

Umm.... You didn't prepare me for the "sticker shock". I looked up the LWCG Ranger Hybrid and $550 is a lot of change for a tree stand of any kind. I have no doubts to their quality, but the price tag was a deterrent.

I like the looks, quality and price tag of the XOP Air Raid Evolution. It just happens to be on sale for $169.

 

[katiesmom]

Umm.... You didn't prepare me for the "sticker shock". I looked up the LWCG Ranger Hybrid and $550 is a lot of change for a tree stand of any kind. I have no doubts to their quality, but the price tag was a deterrent.

I like the looks, quality and price tag of the XOP Air Raid Evolution. It just happens to be on sale for $169.

For me it was the buy once, cry once....
I also had a list of things I needed on a stand. It fit all of them.
I just had to save my pennies lol.

Good hunting to you!

 

[Tr33_n1nj@]

I use a Windwalker from Treehopper for my hybrid set up. It will move with side pressure especially if I push from further out on the platform. If I need to get that far around the tree I just step over the cable and put my weight on the part closer to the tree. I have had it slightly kick out before when putting pressure on the side further out on the platform but it’s “fixable” with a toe cam from the tree. No kick outs so far when applying the pressure closer to the tree. It could happen one day though and I’ll start using a 2nd strap.

 

[Benb]

Umm.... You didn't prepare me for the "sticker shock". I looked up the LWCG Ranger Hybrid and $550 is a lot of change for a tree stand of any kind. I have no doubts to their quality, but the price tag was a deterrent.

I like the looks, quality and price tag of the XOP Air Raid Evolution. It just happens to be on sale for $169.

I have a vanish evolution...its light and no problems except for the narrow v platform.
The wife allowed me to buy my forever stand, alpha 3. If she wasnt gonna be cool with the alpha, it was gonna be the air raid for sure..nice and wide