Three pieces of gear hold a saddle hunter to the tree: the lineman's belt, the tree tether and the bridge. They do different jobs, and the order you connect them in matters most. Everything on this page about safety comes from saddle maker instructions and the Treestand Manufacturers Association (TMA), listed at the end. Your own saddle's manual comes first. Read it every season.
The three pieces
| Piece | What it does | When it's holding you |
|---|---|---|
| Lineman's belt | A rope around the tree, clipped to both sides of the saddle | Climbing up, climbing down, and while you set up |
| Tree tether | A rope around the tree at hunting height, clipped to your bridge | While you hunt from the platform |
| Bridge | The loop on the front of the saddle that the tether clips to | Whenever you hang on the tether |
Tethrd's Saddle Hunting 101 puts it simply: the lineman's belt connects you to the tree while you climb, and the tree tether connects you at your platform.
My saddle came as the XOP complete kit, which included the rope I needed. If you buy a saddle alone, plan on buying both ropes.
The lineman's belt
Tethrd's instructions say to:
- Put the lineman's belt on at the base of the tree, before you leave the ground. Pass it around the tree and clip it to the lineman's loop on the other side of the saddle, then lock the carabiner gate.
- Keep it taut and holding your weight while you climb, adjusted with its prusik knot.
- Keep it above waist level, angled up. Never let it angle down away from your waist, and never climb above it.
- Never take it off at height until your tree tether is on and holding you.
The tree tether
At hunting height, the tether goes around the tree and clips to your bridge. Tethrd's instructions call the tree wrap a girth hitch or larkshead. Once the saddle and tether are holding your weight, you can take off the lineman's belt and adjust the tether height.
TMA's guidance, written for full-body harnesses in treestands, says your tether should have no slack when sitting. Tethrd likewise says not to allow slack in your lineman's belt or tree tether, and never to climb above your tether.
The bridge
The bridge is the part of the saddle the tether clips to. Tethrd's course says:
- Inspect it for wear and damage before every hunt. If it has any damage, do not climb.
- Never untie the stopper knot at the end of a rope bridge. It's there to catch you if the prusik loosens.
- Only adjust the bridge while you're connected to the tree by the lineman's belt or tether. Put weight on it afterward to set the prusik.
Some saddles use a strap bridge with a buckle instead. Tethrd's E.S.S. manual says never to remove the triglide buckle from that bridge strap.
Stay double connected during the switch
This is the step makers stress most. Tethrd says most accidents happen during the transition from climbing to the hunting platform. Their order:
- Climb on the lineman's belt.
- At height, attach the tether before you step onto the platform, so you're connected twice.
- Only remove the lineman's belt once the tether is on and the platform is secure.
- To come down, reverse it: put the lineman's belt back on before you take off the tether.
Rope specs
Rope diameter has to match the hitch or rope grab you use and what your saddle maker lists. Tethrd's maker specs, checked October 10, 2026, for its 8-foot ropes, which it sells as either a tether or a lineman's belt:
| Rope | Rated strength | Eye | Connection | Suggested ascender |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tethrd 8 mm | 8,360 lb | 5" sewn | Cornell hitch | Ropeman 4 |
| Tethrd 11 mm (1/2") | 5,000 lb | 5" sewn | Prusik cord | Ropeman 1 |
On Amazon, Tethrd sells the 11 mm Lineman Belt and the 8 mm lineman rope. Tethrd's 2026 tether or lineman rope is on its own site at $69.99 (11 mm) and $79.99 (8 mm), approximate. Only buy rope sold for life support, from the saddle maker or a maker of saddle hunting rope.
Inspection and practice
- Before every hunt. Tethrd says to inspect all life-support gear before every hunt for cuts, tears, excessive abrasion or anything that could weaken it. Its E.S.S. manual says a damaged saddle must be retired immediately.
- Every season. TMA says to read and understand the maker's warnings and instructions each season, and never exceed the maker's weight limit.
- Practice low first. Tethrd's manuals say to test the fit by hanging in the saddle in a safe situation before you hunt.
- Know the suspension risk. TMA warns that prolonged suspension in a harness may be fatal.
A non-safety use
On short sits, I use my lineman's belt as my pack hanger instead of carrying a separate one. The belt only comes off the saddle after the tether is holding you, in the order above.
Other good options
- Rope grabs instead of hitches. Tethrd lists the Ropeman 4 for its 8 mm rope and the Ropeman 1 for its 11 mm rope. Use the device your rope maker lists.
- Ropes sold with the saddle. Many kits, like XOP's, include a lineman's belt and tether.
- Safety courses. Tethrd has a saddle hunting safety course hosted on hunter-ed.com, linked below.
Questions hunters ask
Can I use one rope for both? Tethrd sells its 2026 rope for either job, but you need two ropes to stay double connected during the switch.
Do I need the lineman's belt if I'm only going up 15 feet? Yes. Tethrd and TMA both say to be connected every time you leave the ground.
Is a saddle a TMA-certified harness? TMA's guidelines are written for full-body harnesses and treestands. Check your saddle maker's manual for the standard it's tested to.
Sources
- Tethrd, Saddle Hunting 101: https://tethrd.com/pages/saddle-hunting-101
- Tethrd, Mantis/Menace/Phantom saddle safety warnings and instructions (PDF): https://www.pyramydair.com/airgun-resources/manuals/Tethrd-Menance.pdf
- Tethrd, E.S.S. saddle safety warnings and instructions (PDF): https://www.pyramydair.com/airgun-resources/manuals/Tethrd-ESS.pdf
- Tethrd Hunter Safety Course, Attaching Your Lineman Belt: https://www.hunter-ed.com/saddlehunting/essentials/studyGuide/Attaching-Your-Lineman-Belt/224099_299788/
- Tethrd Hunter Safety Course, Adjusting Your Bridge: https://www.hunter-ed.com/saddlehunting/essentials/studyGuide/Adjusting-Your-Bridge/224099_297674/
- Tethrd, Tree Tether or Lineman Rope specs: https://tethrd.com/products/saddle-hunting-rope
- Treestand Manufacturers Association, Treestand Safety Guidelines (PDF): https://tmastands.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/English-TSG.pdf