I would say spend the money and use the Hunter Safety System equipment. Tree straps and life lines are relatively cheap and can be left in your tree until season closes.
I bought a climbing rope and prussic knot from Blue Water ropes. The total cost shipped was 26 bucks. The rope is 8mm and the knot is 7mm. I already have 3 Carabiners from my HSS Harness and lifeline so no need to buy more.
I only use a climber so I can't use a lifeline. But what I do is use my Muddy rope linemen's belt as my tree strap. I am hooked on at the ground and I slide it up as I climb. But the rope is very easy. No buckles, just a loop and a prusik to hook onto.
Thanks everyone. Guess Ill have to stick with current setup. Its just hard for me to fasten the strap that goes around the tree every year,( I have 4 stands), as I have some back problems and not getting any younger, and trying to reach that high above my head is a struggle. Id like to just leave them but afraid they will weaken over time, or something will chew em. Speaking of which, hang on stand I set up was up only two weeks when I went to add my rope for pulling up bow,when I went to stand on the thing it was flopping all over. Something, probably a porcupine, had chewed through not only the double sewn part of the tie down strap, but the ratchet strap I had added as a fail safe. have any of you ever seen this happen? Not good with adding pics sorry.
