I use ameristep grizzly's also. They are very strong steps. My only complaint is screwing them in. I'm getting pretty tired of doing that. I try and hang a bunch of stands each year, and screw in's are a pain to me. I also do think sometimes about if I would fall...wouldn't want to get gored by one of them, no doubt.I do have an old api stick that I use, but it only goes up 12ft. It's ok, but the steps are kinda short. Another thing I use is a half of an old extension ladder. It is 14ft and I just ratchet strap it to the tree. I painted it camo, it works great. Wish I had 10 of them.

I think I will probably go to allsticks next season. I am thinking of the summit sticks. I like the way they are designed to keep your foot from sliding off the pegs. Anyone have any experience with them? Seem like a nice setup, and they are priced about the same as any other stick pretty much. I will not be carrying them in and out, just setting up once a year.

BTBowhunter and Stoneman... you answered my question. I didn't know the bottom part of the climbing stik couldbe easily removed.... putting a 4x6 or 4x4 under it would work great... thanks

WVHunter... I hear you on the grizzlies... very strong steps and seem to be very safe... as long as you don't fall on one.. putting them in can be a real b$t$h... I drill a pilot hole and use a 3lb lump hammer to get them fully seated... I don't want them pivoting when I step on them.Lot of work... I helped a buddy put up his hang on with a climbing stix... I was amazed how fast and easy it went up and how secure it was... I'm sold on the stix from here on out.

Hey Wic, some of the guys have the sticks that are designed so that each section is independent, so removing one or two of THOSE would be simple. Mine are the kind where each one fits into the next, and I'm PLANNING on trying to place something underneath so I can remove a section or two, but I haven't done it yet...I THINK it will work fine, but I just didn't want you to have a problem doing it and think I was talkin' out my a$$.

I have said it 100 times so I will say it again..........no screw in tree steps work easier, are as strong, safer, or more reliable than the Cranford Ezy Climb rod steps...at least that is my opinion. I have had some of mine for many years. They are MUCH easier to get in and out of a tree and I have never had one to bend or flex. The design of the tapered screwin part makes it easy to start, and the design also allows the step to be screwed in all the way against the tree. Therefore when putting weight on the step the step cannot pull out because its pushing against the tree. I've used Ameristeps, had them to bend a little, had a hell of a time screwing them in and now they have a place in the garage gathering dust.

Having said that, I want to try some lightweight individual climbing sticks to see if they are faster. And mainly because using a climbing stand sometimes involves finding a tree in a spot without a straight or climbable tree. If they work good along with using a good hang on stand.....I may just do away with my climber.

I use the Lone Wolf strap on ladder steps. These are very light they consist of 3 three foot sections. The more I space them out, the higher I can go. I take them down hunting public land, but leave the tree stand.They are not too hard to pack in. They clanck together a little making some noise, I cannot use the screw in type as they are illegal in my state.I would recomend these steps highly!!!

I use the cranford screw ins for the locations I want permanent with the lone wolf ez hang hooks. I also have 4 lone wolf sticks for use for temporary stand locations. They are very easy to use and carry.

Stoneman .. thanks again. I have already bought two sets of climbing stiks on year end sales. Mine also slide into each other... the 4x4 at the bottom made a lot of sense and hopefully will work.
I also like the climbing ladders ... especially the one by API(Pro Step Quik Step)... but those are fairly expensive... $119 in Bass pro Shopsif you want to get 20'+ up.

Cool. Whoever tries it first will post back here with the results, okay? My only concern is that there may be binding occuring between the sets if the trees aren't very straight...I'm off Friday thru Jan 2nd, so I'll be in the woods every day during that time...I should have a chance to try it out.

Anyone tried the Summit Bucksteps? http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/vertical-item.jsp?id=0026430416561a&navCount=4&podI d=0026430&parentId=cat20049&navAction=jump &cmCat=srchdx&catalogCode=QS&rid=& parentType=index&indexId=cat20049&hasJS=tr ue

I love the strap on ladder sticks. (don't know if I like saying that I'm a big fan of "strap ons") but they work great and are quick to put up and take down.