I leave the seat on, but I fold it around itself, strap the bungee around it, then I bungee it around one of the uprights (the 2 pieces of metal that make the V on the back of the stand and support from the arm rest down to the teeth in the tree). This keps the seat out of the way nicely for me. I was batting with it the first couple times I used my Goliath but now this method seems to work out well. Taking it completely off of course would work, but I don't think it will be necessary.