A hunter's tree stand includes a vertically elongated rigid frame assembly including upper and lower tree contacting standoff points. An elongated inelastic band member encircles the tree in a horizontal plane disposed vertically intermediate the standoff points and connects to the frame assembly at each end thereof. A binder coacts with the band member to effect a predetermined shortening of the band member when a binder actuator element is displaced from a first position to a second position to displace the center portion of the frame inwardly and thereby resiliently preload tension within the band member independently of loading of the tree stand. The tree standoff points are configured to limit their penetration into the tree. The binder can be locked with the actuator element in its second position to deter unauthorized removal of the tree stand.