tree rat - I guess I am glad I hunt a different area of MN than you do because I haven't had anything stolen yet. I did say "yet." If I was getting things stolen that frequently I would put up one of my homemade deercams and get a picture of the slobs.

As for tree steps my buddies and I use two types. One is a grade 8 hex bolt that is inserted into a hole drilled with an 18V DeWalt. Kind of a pain dragging the drill around but it is only once a season. The holes need to be re-drilled each season. I forget the name of the company that sells the bolts/drill bit but they are always at the MN Deer Classic in March. Price is a good as I could find anywhere for the grade 8 bolts.

We also use the API steps which use a separate lag bolt into the tree. As mentioned above, it is very easy to take the step with you and leave the lag bolt for next time.

The advantage the grade 8 bolt has is that it can't pivot like a hanging step so it is extremely stable.