I used screw in steps for a while (Cranford are the best, IMHO). But they are a LOT of work, and I sweat like nobody's business, so not good for scent control if you're hunting the same day you're screwing (no comments, please). If you're hanging permanent stands or if you want to put in permanent steps and carry just your stand and bow with you when you hunt, then steps can work great. But thiscan get expensive if you want to hunt many different trees, which I think is a good idea to keep the deer from patterning you. Also not a good option on most public land. Also, steps can rattle agains each otehr while you're getting to your stand (Cranford has some rubber coated ones that help this and are great in the rain).

There are some inexpensive climbing sticks, but they tend be much heavier than the Lone Wolf climbing sticks that I prefer. I use 4 independent non-interlocking sections that will get you 15'+ up in the air in almost any tree. They weight 2.5 lbs per section, have a 350 lb rating, fold up and spoon with each other to carry very compactly and quietly. The mounting strap they use works equally well right or left handed and the toothedbrackets swivel to fit almost any tree condition. The steps on the stick also can swivel either right or left, for more flexible usage. they aren't cheap, though: $144 for 4 sticks. IMO worth every penny because the Lone Wolf guys are briliant engineers who really think through their designs.