Best choice you'll ever make is to wear the harness. A 20ft fall can end your hunting for ever. As many folks get injured each year from falls as due to weapon injuries. Bowhunter Magazine did a survey several years back regarding just his matter. It was found that the majority of accidents occur while climbing up or down to include getting in or out of the stand. They suggested wearing the belt from beginning to end. As for the hawk attack. I must be a sucker for them. Over the past ten or so years I have had it happen aleast five or six times. However for some reason my hunting partner has never had it occur? No doubt it scares me every time just like the first. I get real nervous when I see hawks/owls crusing the timber. Good Luck and wear the belt!