Tree Steps

[BowDonkey]

Have any of you guys tried or use the strap on type step? How well do they work? The problem I have up here is all the tress are a softwood and I don't trust the screw in type.

[Pinelander]

How soft ya talkin' about? Never used the strap-ons... screw-ins are supported well with the "heel" of the step pressing against the tree preventing the screw-in part from working outward or downward from it's original screwed-in position. This sounds a bit screwy to me....

[Scooter]

I've used them a few times. Here on state land you can't use screw in steps so I typically use a few to get up into a good pine. I have used the odd one up high but typically less than 6 feet up. The ones I've used move around a bit and I just don't trust them totaly.

[BowDonkey]

Thanks guys, I've been making ladders and just leaving them in the woods. I was told by more than a few hunters from around here not to trust the screw in type in popple trees. Thanks for the heads up about screw in steps in public forests. Guess I'll have to read the reg's someday! LOL

[Cato]

I've used many climbing systems, including the strap on steps. Using the strap on steps, you pretty much have to use a safety harness while setting them up, as you need both hands to put the step on. Otherwise they work fine.

I have, for a long time, used the independent ladders, those that are about 3' sections. They give you the flexibility to put one ladder on the tree, and move the other above a limb, or slightly to the side. One of the issues with the strap on ladders is that the buckles on the straps can fail. I use a piece of ski rope as a secondary strap, in case the primary fails.

I like to go in, set a stand, hunt it, and pull it in the same afternoon. For that type deal, I use the Lone Wolf Sticks. They are very quiet to set up, quick to set up, very versitle, and light weight. I carry a stand with shoulder straps (about 10#) and hand carry the sticks, along with my bow. It works well. With 4 sticks I can get to about 18'.

A lot of it is personal preference.

[Scooter]

I'm a big fan of the climbing sticks. I have two 20' ones. They are a bit cumbersome and heavy to carry in and out a lot, but if you don't have to worry about them being snatched they are exceptionally nice to take in and leave up.

[BowDonkey]

Thanks alot guys, I was just about to ask about the climbing sticks. I think that may be the route I go. Anyone else can chime in also, don't be shy, this is a traditional subject. :)

[Gutshot]

I still use the strap on steps in conjunction with my Lone Wolf sticks. I don't trust the enough to use them high in the tree. I use about 3-4 of them at the base of a tree to get a lot higher when only using 4 sticks. I've used just about everything on the market to climb a tree, but ever since using the Lone Wolf sticks, I can't imagine using anything else. They ARE that much easier to use. You don't know how easy they really are until you try them out for the first time. You'll be kicking yourself for not getting them sooner.

[Scooter]

A trick I use for the climbing sticks is to bundle the sections together and then use a safety belt to tie at each end of the bundle then carry it like a duffle bag on the shoulder.

[Brian L]

I've used strap-on steps in the past. Some obviously work better than others but overall they can be advantageous if you want to pack light and setup. As mentioned, a good climbing harness is necessary. I know a lot of guys that like the Ameristep and Deer Me brand steps.

One of the best strap-on steps made is by Stepp Ladder. You can actually rest both feet on step. Obviously these won't be nearly as light as other steps. Here's the link to their website. You will probably have to contact the owner for more info as I believe their website hasn't been updated. http://steppladder.com/

My favorite all-around climbing aid is my Lone Wolf climbing sticks. These things really work well. They are fairly light to pack, easy to hang, and will work in a variety of situations.

[shaftcaster]

I use the Lone Wolf Climbing sticks.

[Bill Carlsen]

.... simply ROCK!!!!!!!! :2cents: :amen:

[BowDonkey]

Options, options, anyone ever use the Simmons Woodpecker system? I'm still trying to figure out a lightweight, quick to deploy, theif proof stand system. I've used tree spurs long ago and they rock. Talk about a thrill every time you climb. But I don't want the hassle of putting them on and taking them off. Thought about rock climbing shoes and a safety belt. But the shoes are too cold when the temp drops and I hate to say it, I'm getting old and wore out. I can't climb like that anymore! At the rate I'm going, by the time I figure this out I'll probably need an electric winch.

[James Wrenn]

I use the woodpecker some.I like to do the trees ahead of time when possible.I cheat and use my cordless drill to fix trees to be hunted later. :) I buy bolts in the contractor packs at Lowes or Home Depot so they only cost me 50 cents a piece that way. On the one day or far back hunts I use my tree gafts and either a loc-on limit stand or my redneck treesuit.

[Cato]

I've done the same as James. Cordless drill. Since I hunt private property, I have permission to leave bolts in some trees that I'll hunt year after year.

Watch out for soft wood. A tree can have a dead spot, and the bolt can slip. You might want to consider a little longer bolt.

Gotta use a safety harness.

Cato

[Passthru]

I had some strap on steps and didn't care for them at all.

Currently I'm using the Steppladder system which is worlds better. I just ordered 4 lone wolf sticks to see if I like those better than the Steppladder.

I heard so may good things that I couldn't resist giving them a try.

[BowDonkey]

Do the bolts fit in the holes loosely or do they screw in? Cato you said longer bolts, how long?

[James Wrenn]

The strap-ons I have work fine but are just bulky to carry and heavy.You need a belt for putting them up so you can use two hands to get them tight.I just don't like how much space it takes to carry a dozen steps.I use a strap with 3 steps on it with my redneck treesuit and walk them hard and other than wiggle a bit they hold well. jmo

[James Wrenn]

I just use 5" bolts. 2"s in the tree and 3 for me. :) I only weigh about 170 and with the 5" bolts I don't have to buy the more expensive #8 hardened ones that you might need with more weight or longer bolts.There is no way I can break or bend one in the tree.The bolts go in loose but the threads keep them from coming out and they will tighten up pretty quick as the tree grows or sap gets on them.I use a single cut bit in my cordless like the one that comes in the woodpecker.It cuts a clean hole and does not wear the battery down like a regular bit that is more aggresive.You want one with a barb point instead of a screw if you can find one.I found a perfect one at woodcrafters but had to buy a whole set to get the one I wanted. lol

[BowDonkey]

Ok guys this I promise will be the last question. You had to see it coming. If you had to choose between the Woodpecker or climbing sticks. Which would it be? Most of my hunts are easy access but when time allows I go quite a ways in. In fact I'd hate to kill a deer in some of these spots. The terrain here is some of the roughest I've ever hunted.

[Cato]

Donk,

That is a tough one to answer. The Woodpecker involves carrying in less. If you use the hand auger (sp) model, it and the bolts fit in a pouch you carry on a belt. But the down side is you pretty much must install bolts using a harness so you can be hands free; it is a little messy, as the wood shavings that come out of the hole you drill get on you; it takes a good number of bolts to get up 15' to 18', I'm guessing 9 or 10; it definitely takes longer to set up. However, once the holes are there, you can pull your bolts from the base of the tree and protect your stand from theft (they can't climb without the bolts in the lower part of the tree). If you do that, it is good to mark the holes with something easy to see in the dark, if you plan on a morning hunt, as it can be hard to find the holes to replace the bolts in the dark.

If I was going to own only one, it would be the Lone Wolf sticks, especially if you plan to move around. They are quick, quiet, light, versitle, and easy to set up. You just have to deal with carring them in.

I had Jeff Aulik (Gray Wolf Woolens) create a carrying bag for my sticks. I will try to post a picture later. It is the length of the sticks, zips up, and has a carrying strap I can put over my shoulder. That way I can carry my bow in my left hand, my bag can be over my right shoulder, and I still have my right hand free for a flash light. I carry my portable stand on my back.

Hope this is helpful.

Cato

[Bill Carlsen]

...asked about strap on steps. Since I last posted on this I received a ladder stand from Cabela's and in it was a video from the bowhunter safety course on treestand safety. In it they claim that the strap on steps are the least safe of any climbing method. My own experience with them seems to bear that out as I only use them on the first 2 or 3 steps in places where I am allowed to use screw ins. :)

[James Wrenn]

Well between the climbing sticks and woodpecker I would go with the woodpecker.The sticks are bulky and heavy to lug around.They are nice if you set the spot up ahead of time but if you are going to do that you can do so with the woodpecker as well. :) My buddy bought some of the lone wolf sticks but only hunted with them twice before selling them.He said that with the woodpecker in his pocket he was ready to hunt coming and going.With the climbing sticks he was just carring stuff. :)
With the woodpecker you can have multiple locations ready ahead of time in those remote locations.With the sticks you can have only one if you leave them there and the rest of the time you are just carring stuff. ;) jmo

[Passthru]

My problem is it's illegal to use anything that penetrates the bark more than 1/2" on public land here in Indiana. Otherwise I would use the woodpecker system.

I read a tip one time about using tree steps that would apply to the bolts. They said to stick little twigs in the holes so you could find them later in the dark.

I still haven't got my LW sticks yet. They should ship this Friday.

[swampy]

Donk,I use a 20' section of 3/4 conduit(thats how they come)and cut 3 5' pcs,12 4"pcs and 2 1' pcs with a tubing cutter.The 1' pcs are the top and bottom forming a T and the 4" sections are steps 3 per 5' section.I use a torch to weld but a welder would be great also.
For connecting the pc,s together get the stell connecting pcs,the alum is okay but I like to weld the steel to the top of the section going together.The alum connectors have screws that can be tightened pretty good sinking them right into the coduit.I had some 1/2" square tubing laying around that I welded to the conduit near the top of each section forming a V so that 2 legs go against the tree.
Attach with straps,I find red to be handy for spotting your tree from a ways away but some might not want that.I also can lock my stands in the up position so nobody can hunt it when I,m not there.These stands are also made from conduit simular in design to the screaming eagle stand that was out along time ago.

It works out to be a 15' ladder in 3 pc,s for transport that,s not that heavy.

Tip: make sure all the steps start from the same side if makeing more than 1 ladder,that way all the parts will be interchangeable from ladder to ladder.

Tip: if ya can,t weld or don,t no somebody that can than buy some pre made
I found torch welding to work well on the thin material(1/16 wall) but wire feed would work awesome (I don,t have 1 of those)

A safty line can be attached at each site straight up and down for getting into and out of your stand saftly.

[BowDonkey]

I know I promised no more questions, but just gotta ask one more to the Woodpecker owners. What's the diameter of the bit? I think I'll be going that way at first just because I have a cordless drill already. Cordless drills, one of those inventions that once you use one, you can never imagine life without it. Throw in some torque screws and you wonder how you ever got anything built without them. Anyway thank you all for your answers and patience. I'm like those tree beings in Lord of the Rings, decisions take time. LOL!

[swampy]

Some of the spots I hunt don,t allow any kind of stand or step that penetrates the bark.Many states have the same deal when hunting state land,Id check before finding out the hard way.

I did see some strap on type steps at Denton a few yrs ago which attached very succurely and easily but I don,t recall who made them.The strap on,s that I have (No funny stuff there LOL) I got from walmart and they tend to move a little when ya climb.Once they get set in their okay but thats about the time when your takeing them off anyway.I typically leave my homemade ladders out with my stands locked in the up position so nobody else can hunt it.

Test any home made item,s close to the ground.I test my stands by haveing my 2 hunting buddies get in the stand with me(2' off the ground max)thats a total of over 700#,s and gives me peace of mind before putting it up 12-15' off the ground.

[James on laptop]

Swampy I too have 4 ladders built from 3/4 and 1/2 conduit.Mine are just made in 2 10ft sections.They attach to the tree with 2 lag bolts per section.(cordless drill again :) ) I can keep stacking them up the tree if I need more than 20ft anywhere.

The woodpecker uses a 3/8" bit and 3/8" bolts


BTW... WE USED A MIG WELDER TO BUILD OURS

[swampy]

My buddy took the stand parts to work and used a mig,I don,t have one so I just use my Oxy/Ace torch . Does a nice job but takes longer kinda like tig welding.

10' long mmmmmmmmm I suppose I could get that thru the sh#* I tend to go thru but dang 5' is bad enough.It ain,t heavy but it does have legs stickin out LOL besides I don,t go very high,I could add a 4rth section if needed but so far I,ve not come across that.

Good luck this season and Hunt Safe

[James Wrenn]

I use these at places on our club land where they might stay for a whole season or longer.They are not moved very often.They are only 8" wide and don't have any legs or anything so are really not that hard to move around.I have tied them to the back of the 4 wheeler and dragged them across places that were too far to walk. :)