tcmetrohunter
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2019
- Messages
- 447
So this past weekend I decided to try my XOP Vanish stand in a hybrid style setup with my saddle for a management hunt I was doing. I tested the system in the yard with both straps on the stand and found it to be very solid on the tree even with all the side pressure I could muster.
My setup in the woods was on a hill side looking over a main deer trail that came off bedding and food. Due to the hill side I used two Helium mini sticks and hung the stand facing the trail/bedding area. We setup the day before the hunt period so I walked in with my saddle, 4 sticks, and a small pack with my ropes and straps on it. I have an old alice pack backpack strap setup on the stand and zipties to make the seat a load shelf. Walking around for about an hour scouting I didn't find the weight to be too bad and I weighed it at about 26 pounds which is a lot compared to my run and gun setup but I was going to leave the setup in the tree so I only had to carry it twice.
After two days of hunting I think I can honestly say for longer sits when its cold I prefer the stand over a straight saddle setup. I did not need to try and shoot behind me so that wasn't a issue. I should have shot a buck yesterday but my head got the better of me and I didn't take a shot on it because I thought it was too far. Turned out to be 22 yards. Ugh. I really enjoyed being to able to sit and then stand and then lean against the tree.
The Vanish is a great stand and moving forward for next season I'm probably going to try and setup a better back pack strap system, easy hang bracket, and use my T1 sticks with with to reduce weight. I don't plan on using it to replace my run and gun stuff but I'm happy I bought it and I'll definitely be keeping it in the aresenal.
My setup in the woods was on a hill side looking over a main deer trail that came off bedding and food. Due to the hill side I used two Helium mini sticks and hung the stand facing the trail/bedding area. We setup the day before the hunt period so I walked in with my saddle, 4 sticks, and a small pack with my ropes and straps on it. I have an old alice pack backpack strap setup on the stand and zipties to make the seat a load shelf. Walking around for about an hour scouting I didn't find the weight to be too bad and I weighed it at about 26 pounds which is a lot compared to my run and gun setup but I was going to leave the setup in the tree so I only had to carry it twice.
After two days of hunting I think I can honestly say for longer sits when its cold I prefer the stand over a straight saddle setup. I did not need to try and shoot behind me so that wasn't a issue. I should have shot a buck yesterday but my head got the better of me and I didn't take a shot on it because I thought it was too far. Turned out to be 22 yards. Ugh. I really enjoyed being to able to sit and then stand and then lean against the tree.
The Vanish is a great stand and moving forward for next season I'm probably going to try and setup a better back pack strap system, easy hang bracket, and use my T1 sticks with with to reduce weight. I don't plan on using it to replace my run and gun stuff but I'm happy I bought it and I'll definitely be keeping it in the aresenal.