For those of you that use a lifeline with your ladderstand or hang on, if you use a prussic knot and carbiner, do you stay hooked to the lifeline while hunting? Or, do you have a separate tether?
Thanks

I don't get in trees much anymore.
I had a,separate loop around the tree with a prussic knot.
Adjusted it just long enough to sit down.

I have lines on all of my stands, including ladders.  I just stay hooked in to the line with the prussic knot from the moment I leave the ground until I return.  No seperate tether.  

I do get my knot up tight to the tree at the top of the line and kind of tuck the line in next to the tree to prevent movement of the line below when I move in the stand.

I don't use the strap on lifelines. I use the prussic knot and I stay connected the whole time. it's great with my climber. being attached literally adds about a minute to my total climb time. loosen it up and slide it up and pull it tight again, repeat.

QuoteOriginally posted by Whip:
I have lines on all of my stands, including ladders.  I just stay hooked in to the line with the prussic knot from the moment I leave the ground until I return.  No seperate tether.  

I do get my knot up tight to the tree at the top of the line and kind of tuck the line in next to the tree to prevent movement of the line below when I move in the stand.

Thanks, I was wondering about the movement issue.
I will keep that in mind.

I do it like Whip.  Hook up before I leave the ground and stay attached until I'm back on the ground.  Great minds think alike.     :D

How is the life line initially attached in the upper reach of the tree?

Whip...do you use a prussic knot or a ascender going up and down?

I have equipped all my stands with a lifeline and keep a prussic loop on them all as well. I stay hooked to it at all times. The top of my lifeline is tied around the tree or a stout branch as high as I can reach with the knot being directly above my climbing stick, the bottom gets tied to the bottom of my stick. This keeps any swinging of the lifeline at bay.

QuoteOriginally posted by TGbow:
Whip...do you use a prussic knot or a ascender going up and down?

I use a GriGri device on my rope but I also have prussic knots on each so that if I have guests they can use the knot.

Tater John, the ropes initially are attached when I place the stand.  With hang ons a linemans belt on your safety harness keeps you connected.  My ladders stay in place but I take my ropes down at the end of each season.  So twice each year I have to climb the ladders without being hooked in.  There is a way to use throw lines that would allow placing the life line from the ground without the need to climb the tree, but I haven't taken that step yet.