All dependent on your style and area you hunt. I personally don't ever climb a tree I cant easily get my stick ropes around so 6 ft works for me, hell most of the time I'm stuck in a 6 inch tiny tree "dating the fatgirl". If you have the patience to play catch with your rope mods and like big trees you may need it long.What is the average length of peoples line mans ropes? I was thinking 6' should be enough but watching some videos lately I am thinking 8'-10' would be better.
The rest of your kit should complement the tether length, if you think about it. If you're thinking you'll be up in a tree that's really 20" at hunting height, what's the diameter at the ground? Can you get a strap for a stick around it? Generally my rule of thumb is that if I can't hug the tree and touch my hands together at the ground it's too big for my gear to climb.Good point 131. A 20" tree would take 5'3" for the circumfrence and then you would need additional tether length of I'm guessing 3', so a total of 8.5?