i do not leave mine out i take them down around the first of march and replace the cables every other year .i have a cable machine at work so when i make mine i tend to go little heavier on the cable some of the members of my family will use them from time to time and they are some full figured fellas. i just like to know they are safe and as far as straps they get replaced every year and sometimes twice if the stand gets a lot of hunting action.i just can not see letting someone get hurt over a 5 dollar strap ....