RE: Screw-in steps, ladders, or sticks?
 

I only used sticks on 2 of my 4 stands this year, and I left them there the whole time...I was a little worried about them though. I've been thinking about taking the bottom couple of sections with me when I leave in the future, but don't relish the thought of carrying the extra crap along with me.

RE: Screw-in steps, ladders, or sticks?
 

The screw-in steps are nice, but there is very little foot room. The ladder is what i would use, most of them are really stong and last long. i have used sticks but i didn't like them too much. :Dgood luck

RE: Screw-in steps, ladders, or sticks?
 

toss up if you ask me b/t ameristep and the lone wolfs. the lone wolfs are easy to pack in, and lighter than the ameristep. the ameristep pack nicely from what I have seen and been told. I have a set of the lone wolfs and like them. I mostly leave my stand up all season and take my steps in and out with me. I like to put multile set ups and for that reason the ameristeps wouldn't be practical I think as they might be awkward to carry by them selves. I can get 20 ft easily with my 3 sticks if I start the first one at chest level and pull myself up, that gets you already 4 ft off the ground. any one else have or use both of these setups?

RE: Screw-in steps, ladders, or sticks?
 

Check out the Non-Typical's or the Lone Wolf. I think if you have the chance to see them in-person you will have a much better idea of the differences between the two. Better yet, try to use a buddies first, see which ones you prefer....

RE: Screw-in steps, ladders, or sticks?
 

Here's my Non Typical ladders lashed to hang on stand. Only about 20 lbs total and very easy to carry on the back.

RE: Screw-in steps, ladders, or sticks?
 

I Have used Ameristep Grizzlies also for about five years and still use some of the same steps that i first purchased. They have never really gave me any problems such as pulling out or breaking off. Just always make sure that you screw the steps in all the way and you shouldn't have to much trouble.

RE: Screw-in steps, ladders, or sticks?
 

I've been using the ameristep screw ins for awhile now, but I'll tell you, as I get older, it gets harder to hang on (even with the harness). this year I bought some hunters view climbing sticks. aside from being a bit on the heavy side, I really like them. a whole lot faster than screw ins and very inexpensive.

RE: Screw-in steps, ladders, or sticks?
 

I know Big Country. He's been to my house and is a very good bowhunter. It's the stories like this that make me wonder about using the screw-ins even though I've never been injured or had a serious mishap in 25 years of using them.

The strap-on ladder I have is made by strongbilt. It FEELS like a peterbilt! It's very heavy steel, a bit awkward to use and quite loud. The clibing sticks I have are made by ol'man and they're not much lighter and nearly as noisy. It's starting to look like non-typicals, gorillas, rapid rails and lone wolf would be a good ones to look at.

Thanks for the replies. Keep 'em coming.

RE: Screw-in steps, ladders, or sticks?
 

Many sticks like the rapid rails or the gorillas are sections that are independent of one another. You simply remove the bottom one or two. Rather thanhump em in and out, I'd just hide em nearby.

RE: Screw-in steps, ladders, or sticks?
 

I have the kind of sticks that are stacked on top of each other. I thought next year I'd try taking ashort piece of 4x4with me, and putting the base on that when installing. I think then I could unhook the bottom section and remove/hide it like you can with the stand alone sections...Mine are also the Hunter's View brand, and I've been pretty happy with them. I've also wondered about putting a screw in step in between sections, and having the bottom of the section rest on that...that way I could space the sections out like the other kind.