How big of trees do you hunt, and how long are your arms? 6 foot or a tad over would be the limit of my "bear hug the tree" ability" - and I'm not a fan of trying to blindly toss things from one hand to the other on the backside of the tree, unless I can't avoid it. So for one or 2 sticks, where I can walk them around the tree rather than make a bunch or noise - the extra length is useful. Otherwise it's extra flapping and difficult to use functionality.
Although for big branchless (or minimally branched) trees this did just give me an idea that I don't know why I hadn't thought of previously. If you can't bearhug, make a loose loop of e.g. paracord (maybe reuse as a gear-holder?), circle the tree, and bring it up with you as you climb. Use it to tie/hook on the strap and pull it around the tree.
Maybe others are already doing this, or maybe it's just a big hassle, but I don't really run too many big trees (although I did just get my first saddle deer from one, and in setting up there I was reminded of all of the ways they can be a big pain. Fortunately i was carrying extra straps to double-up and extend their reach, and could screw in for a gear holder, and drill for a platform, etc. I would have liked a different lineman belt setup, etc.)
Basically much longer than a 6 ft strap means that you need to plan ahead in a bunch of other ways, I think.
