well you will still have the problem of getting up the tree - right? How you going to do that? Tree steps, climbing sticks? Those lineman boot spikes may be viable solution to get up if you're adept at using them. but with them you need a climbing belt. Then when you do get up to where u want to be, you have to attach the strap of the saddle to a branch or trunk. Sounds like a lot of work. A climbing stand would be much easier to use and give you more freedom to move around. Personally, I hunt public land exclusively. I use lock on tree stands and secure them with either 3/8" cable/lock or Chain and lock. I hunt in high pressure areas with a lot of other hunters and haven't had one stolen yet.