The problem is that it really doesn't matterhow much experience you have or how careful you are. Mechanical parts are prone to failure, or come apart, no matter how well made they are, or how new they are. Maybe an owl comes flying along and decides to strafe you.Maybe you see the buck of a lifetime and just try and stretchto get that shot.Also, somebody may come along and sabotage your stand to "get even" with you, or simply because they are a radical anti hunter. Sounds ridiculous I know, but the problem is that dead men tell no tales. You have a right to hunt without a safety harness, but if you are married or have children, someday you might be very sorry for being careless. I'm willing to bet every other guy who fell, felt comfortable up there as well.

I used to feel the same way, until one day I had a ladder stand just separate on me while climbing. I didn't get hurt, but that was the point when I realized that it is better to be safe than sorry.

Ps I edited this post, was in a bad mood earlier today and it came out harsher than I intended.