When choosing an elevated position, the type of tree stand you choose makes a difference. Unless you own land or have a relationship with a private landowner that allows you to leave your stand attached to a tree during the off-season, you’re likely using a portable tree stand to carry in and out with you the day of your hunt.
The hang-on tree stand is one popular stand that can travel with you from hunt to hunt. So, today, we talk about these stands and how to hang one safely for a successful hunt!
What is a Hang-On Tree Stand?
The name is pretty self-explanatory. A hang-on stand hangs on a tree with a series of straps, making it ideal to place in a spot you intend to use only for the day (or maybe a few days, depending on the length of your hunt).
Most hang-on stands are light enough to carry into the field with your gear. Hanging one securely can take some practice, but once you get it down, putting up one of these stands should only take a few minutes. Tear-down should also be quick and easy in case you need to adjust or relocate the stand based on wind direction or simply not having any luck where you thought you might see some action.
Because they are intended to be highly portable, hang-on tree stands are not large. So, they’re not ideal for hunting with a friend up in a tree or holding lots of gear to sit through the day. They provide about four square feet of space – just enough to hold a hunter above ground while waiting for a buck to stroll by.
Unlike other tree stands, hang-on stands do not come with attached climbing aids. So, along with the stand itself, you’ll need to bring climbing sticks or a segmented ladder to get into and out of your stand.
How to Hang Your Hang-On Stand
Hang on! Let’s get into the details of hanging your stand.
Make Sure You Have Everything You Need
We mentioned you’ll need climbing sticks or gear to get into the stand, so make sure you have everything you need with you before leaving for your hunt.
Check the stand, all of its components, and your safety gear (lines, harness, and a lineman’s belt) before heading out. You should not use your tree stand if you don’t have everything required to fasten it securely to the tree and keep you safe while climbing in, sitting, and climbing back out.
Pick a Good Tree
When placing permanent or long-term stands in trees, you can take your time to peruse the forest and find a sturdy, straight tree. However, when hauling in a hang-on stand, you probably don’t have the luxury of time to evaluate every tree in a deer high-traffic area.
Still, it’s crucial to choose a tree that is as sturdy and straight as you can find without spending all morning going from tree to tree to tree.
To get a head start, use the HuntWise app to e-scout hunt areas. Use different map layers to learn the lay of the land and narrow down the possibilities of potential trees for your stand based on topography and real-time animal behavior tracked in the app. Then, whether you can get into the hunt area the night before or early the day of your hunt, you already have a good idea of where the best trees might be.
Make sure it’s a sturdy tree! Don’t compromise your safety for a tree in a better location that may not hold your weight once you’re up there.
Don’t Rush
While you may be anxious to get up in a tree to make the most of your day, take it step by step so you don’t skip a crucial step that could compromise the safety of your stand.
Start by securing the first climbing stick at a comfortable height. Add each stick and test them before adding your full weight.
Before climbing, attach your safety harness and lineman’s belt. Stay connected to the tree at all times.
Do not carry the tree stand up with you. Instead, use a haul line to lift it up to the spot where you want to sit. Secure it temporarily with one hand while wrapping tree straps around the tree and to the stand to fasten it securely. Make sure the stand is stable and level.
Test it gently and adjust as necessary. If it budges, adjust the straps and test again. You’ll need to be able to sit in the stand comfortably without movement.
Haul the rest of your gear up with the haul line, climb into the stand, stay connected to your safety lines, and settle in for deer to come your way!
Practice Before Opening Day
Don’t let opening day be the first day you get the tree stand out of the box and try to hang it! Remember: you don’t want to waste time fussing with a stand while other hunters get the buck you’re after.
Find a sturdy tree near home or at a hunting buddy’s house and practice hanging your stand until it becomes second nature. You’ll also want to practice getting in and out of it and sitting in it for a few hours to get the feel of what it’s like to suspend yourself overhead with your rifle or bow.
It might seem silly when it’s not the “real deal,” but we promise that with some practice, you’ll be more at ease and adept at hunting from a stand when it’s time to really hunt.
Consider the Wind
Ideally, you checked the wind direction using the WindCast feature in HuntWise before hanging your hang-on stand. However, if you’re not having any luck after setting up your stand, consider the wind.
Even at an elevated spot, your scent can drift and spook deer.
Here’s what Melisa Geleott, a HuntWise team member and avid tree stand hunter recommends:
“Setting your tree stands in the ideal wind direction is imperative to your hunting success. Knowing the direction in which the deer enter your hunting zone and where they will be traveling tells you where to effectively place your stand. Knowing the traveling corridors for the deer in your area will help identify the best placement.
Remember: You always want the wind blowing in your face and for game to cross in front of you. So, when walking to and entering your tree stand, you generally don’t want the wind blowing at your back where it will blow your scent into your tree stand or the area you marked in your HuntWise app to hunt.
This might require a little more travel to get to your spot to not bust your spot, but you can use the wind to your advantage. Before heading out for the evening or morning, use WindCast to check the wind direction and plan accordingly, as it may require a bit more time to get settled in your spot.”
Use HuntWise and the Right Set-Up for Tree Stands for Success
You might prefer to keep your feet on the ground while hunting, and that’s okay. However, if you’re ready to enjoy some peaceful time in the trees and a different perspective on hunting whitetail this season, a hang-on tree stand could be a good solution.
Follow the tips we’ve provided here to hang your stand, including using HuntWise to scout hunt areas and place your stand based on wind direction. The app provides real-time data on wind, weather, and hunt locations so you can scout ahead of time and beat other hunters to that buck!
Download HuntWise today, and the first week is on us.
