I used to NOT wear a harness. Last year while going up the tree (without a harness on) my climber lost grip on the tree and I started to fall. I only fell maybe a foot before the stand caught a grip again but that was enough for me. Right then and there I pulled my harness out of my pack (that's right it was in my pack) and put it on (in the pitch black darkness). Now as soon as i get my stand strapped to the tree, I strap my harness to the tree, before even getting into the stand. I use it religiously while climbing and descending. I may take it off once I get as high as I want to be but then I don't move around much after that. If I have to stand up to stretch, I strap on the harness. I don't want to go out like that. Yes it takes a few more minutes but IMH(scared)O it's worth it. Besides, I am usually out there WAY before shooting light. Any noise I might make going up the tree with a harness isn't going to affect anything much anyway. The deer may move off but not far. I've usually spooked 'em long before that anyway.