Just curious what everyone is using or have used. Did/do you like them? Why? or Why not?
I am using the Summit Swiftree (2nd Season) I like them a lot even though they are not very portable(noisy setup). I also have some of the Rivers Edge Stick Steps (also noisy setup). These setups are solid and pretty much care free once attached to the tree.
Thanks, LT
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"The Whitetail Deer". Call them dumb, call them curious, call them whatever you want, but one day, the biggest one you ever saw will turn you into a babbling fool.
The '07 sticks(what I have) are improved with more distance between the tree and the steps giving more footroom. Using sticks in sections like this, its easy to go around limbs. I pack mine out each time unless I am hunting the same stand the next day, so the light weight is a bonus. The pivoting brackets are the berries.
Rapid rails or Gorilla sticks. No more screw in steps for me since the day a good friend almost bled to death when one pulled out of the tree and he got hooked by another on his way down. He barely made it to the hospital. He got to the ER7 pints of blood lighter.
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Cant wait for 2012!
If guns kill people, spoons made Rosie O'Donnell fat!!!
I agree BTB 100%. I know we are never suppose to fall, but if I ever did for whatever reason (I never climb without harness or belt or both) I would not want steel steps sticking out every 2 ft to break my fall. Geesh, were we taught to "Not" run with scissors.[:-]
LT
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"The Whitetail Deer". Call them dumb, call them curious, call them whatever you want, but one day, the biggest one you ever saw will turn you into a babbling fool.
I have a set of Rapid Rails and they work nice, but most of the time I use the Cranford detachable folding steps. Great for quick in and out of tree stands in several locations. I just leave the lags in
I've got several sets of Summit's Bucksteps, four Lone Wolf climbing sticks, a couple ladder sticks from Dick's Sporting Goods (not sure of the brand), and a TON of Cranford's Deluxe Folding steps and Detachable steps...
They've all got their place, but I generally just go with the Cranfords when I can; I've been a fan of their steps for over a decade.
I've been using the EZ folding screw-ins for 25 years and never had a serious mis hap. However, I have read about some of the more serious problems that other hunters have had (I vividly recall reading about BTBowhunters friend Big Country) and this year I asked for (and got) the Lone Wolf sticks. After practicing with them a couple times, I'm looking forward to trying them out.
BTW- I also have the stick ladder by (former) ol' man and the ladder sections made by Strong Built -- they're both very noisy and weigh a TON. I set them up each year in a place they'll remain until seasons's end. Too heavy and cumbersome to move!
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Today' s small bucks are tomorrow' s trophies.
[image]http://www.whitetails.com/deer8.html[image]
I always worry about that BTB!! Even witha harness on one of those steps could gut you if you fell on it right.
I use the Gorilla magnum step, big feet and small tree steps don't work too well. Most of the time I hunt with a climber but did put up a hang on this year. Had one of the steps pop out while standing on it this year. Was only the second step I put in so it wasn't a big deal but sure makes you think.
I'm getting a set of Lone Wolf Sticks this off season. I'm done with the steps.
For the record, the Gorilla magnum steps are just about impossible to start in the tree without a pilot hole of some sort.
Which Steps or Sticks Do You Climb With?
