I do use a safety strap once I get into my stand.. however it's one that just goes around my stomach. From everything I've read these aren't great because if you do fall you'll end up upside down. Anyone have any recommendations for decent harnesses? I hear people talk about using harnesses while they are climbing up into their stand but I'm not quite sure how that would work. I use climbing sticks so I would need something that would work around the steps and not make the climb difficult. Also, what do you do when you get up to your stand? For me, this is where I have the most difficulty... climbing into the stand. Does the harness stay attached to the tree while you get in the stand?

One other quick question about hanging tree stands... I have a hard time trying to hold onto my tree stand and getting the chain around the tree and securely attached (when you're 5'2", the arms just don't reach long enough!)Cabelas has a gadget called the "stand hand" that looks like it may help... anybody have any experience with a gadget such as this? Thanks for your help.....happy hunting.