new to hang on stands

[Steverino]

I'm probably a bit paraniod KT...
but I do add a second stand ratchet strap to my hang-on stands during the season when they are out in the elements. It's cheap insurance should your primary strap fail. I personally like Gorilla hang-on's and like the quiet tree attachment straps.

A few season ago, I was alarmed to find the strap holding the stand that I had been sitting in the past 12+ hours was severely chewed up more than half-way through from what appeared to be squirrels. This stand had been out maybe 8 weeks tops. I quickly shimmied my svelte 6' 250# frame (not!) down that tree and proceeded to place a secondary ratchet strap on all three of my hang-on stands. I use large straps and have now gotten into the habit of checking them every time that I am up in a tree.

Sounds like you made a smart move on your hunting set-up KT. Be sure to show us all the pics of that bruiser you bag this fall!