As I have been looking more and more at this saddle hunting I have noticed guys sometimes lean a good bit and other stand more upright. There a benefit to one over the other?
I would think for myself I would rather stand more upright.
This may be a dumb question but just something I've noticed.
Another question I seen a guy have the triangle shaped carabiner on his teher where it attaches to the tree. Now I know the manufacturer tethers can come with a loop or a tied loop. Or they can made as well.
But, Now why would this guy have a connection like that? That would just add more weight I would think?
Only dumb question is one that goes unasked. If you wonder, someone else does. Leaning vs. standing. Simple really. Your feet or someone you know ever get tired of standing in a tree stand? Leaning, a significant amount of your weight comes off your feet onto your saddle. It's more comfortable than standing for an extended period. It's also safer as you can't fall as your leaning on your equipment. Often it is alternated with sitting in your saddle with your knees in the tree which for most requires a pad on the tree or knee pads.
Carabiner on the end of the tether, why? Every saddle hunter has to connect their bridge to their tether. Rather than tie a knot the carabiner if faster. They don't weigh much as they come in aluminum. The carabiner is also a smooth surface for the bridge to slide on if a hunter needs to maneuver for a shot. You observed them using the carabiner against the tree to complete the circle for tree attachment. Better to girth hitch to the tree as side loads on a carabiner can cause failure. They are made for end to end tension and not side loading, bending or twisting tension. They come with ratings for side loading and cautions against it. As another member stated above, you really need a biner to complete the loop if you are going to rappel down. Pulling 40' of rope through a girth hitch is not practical...and even less so if multiplied x times by limbs encountered on the way up. If you have to complete the circle with a biner, a heavy steel screw gate biner rated for climbing is best. Also shorter end to end is better to alleviate bending pressure in a smaller tree. Smaller oval the better as long as it's climbing rated.
I hope that helps. God bless.