BNB - I thought I was the only one in the world who liked the sling besides John Eberhart (author of Bowhunting Pressured Whitetails). Most people think I'm nuts . I normally carry 8 or 9 strap on steps in my backpack. I've also modified one of the strap on steps to hold 5 foot pegs instead of one. That is my "platform" to stand on at the top. It allows me to move all the way around the tree. Just be careful not to put any of the foot pegs too close to the buckle of the strap. I've found the strap on steps to be faster and easier than screw in steps. It is awesome to be able to creep around the tree to shoot in any direction in TOTAL silence.