Screw-in steps, ladders, or sticks?
 

I've been a big fan of strap-on type stands for a myriad of reasons, but getting to that height is becoming more of a concern. I've used the folding E-Z steps for over 20 yearsand have never had one break (although I've had one or two close calls of them pulling out of very thick bark). I've read here recently though of several others who weren't so lucky.

That leaves me wondering about the strap on sticks and ladders. I've got a couple sets of some EXTEEMLY HEAVY ones, but they aren't practical to carry around because of weight and noise. Anyone had experience with lightweight stick or ladders that aren't an ordeal to carry around?

I'm also interested in other safer screw-in steps -- provided they can be quietlycarried. Ideas anyone?

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

I've used the 16' 2 piece stick ladder before and liked them.

With that said, and with all the accidents of falling out of trees, I've opted to hunt from the ground from now on. Kind of hard to fall out of a ground blind!!!LOL

When I told my uncle that he needed to wear a safety harness while he hunted from his stand he laughed and said "Only jack___es fall from trees". Well he fell and now hunting in a box blind or a ground blind.

I just thought I'd share that.

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

Dave, I use the Non Typical sectional ladders. I have 4 sections and it gets me 25' up. I can lash them to my stand and they are very light, total package weight about 20 lbs or so. I'll send you a pic of the setup later on today.

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

As far as I'm concerned, no screw in step is completely safe. A good friend and member here, Big Country, almost died this season when an Ameristep screw-in pulled out of the tree. He was climbing in before dawn and fell from only 6 feet up.He landed on his feet with no apparent injury at first. Then he felt something warm and wet run down his leg. He turned his light on and saw blood everywhere. A step caught him on the way down, severed his bicep, deltoid and part of his tricep muscle. The main artery in his arm was pulled out of the muscle but miraculously not cut. As it was, he nearly bled out before getting to the hospital. They had to give him 4 pints of blood and hundreds of stitches. One of the guys hunting with him thought he was on the blood trail of a fatally hit deer when he crossed BC's trail out to his truck. The doc told him he was close to bleeding out. I'm on blood thinners and that fall would have certainly been fatal for me.No more meathooks on my trees!

I've been using the steel sticks by gorilla and the Aluminum Rapid Rails by Ameristep this year. Thegorilla sticks are a little on the heavy side but lighter and more manageable than most steel sticks or ladders and they are easy to set, Rock solid and quiet. The rapid rails are much lighter and nest together making them easy to strap right to the stand. They are a bit harder to keep quiet once on the tree. If the tree isnt straight, the longest sections will occasionally shiftsomewhat when you step on it causing some noise. Another friend has an older set of them and his have rubber cups that prevent the noise. I'm going to pick some up at the hardware store before I use them again.

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

[quote] I've had screw in steps break with me and was very lucky to not get injured. I use the sticks now and feel much safer. They are a pain to carry but easy to install and you work up less sweat getting into a tree. When my screw in step broke it happened to be on a tree with a fork in it. I wedged into the fork and didn't fall more that a foot. Looking down though, I saw several steps right between my legs. I'm tellin' ya' boys, I'd be a singin' a higher pitch in church come Sunday!

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

All I use are hang on stands. With that said I use a climbing stick most of the time. Not a fan of screw in steps. Had 1 break and 1 pull out on me. I did see in Gander moutain yesterday. Amerastep builds a strap on step. Looks like the real thing. They were $7.69 each tho. But I will own a set of these for next year for when I pack way in!

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

I have been using the Lonewolf climbing sticks for the last 3 years and love them. They are fast to put up, Im mobile and they are easy to pack in and carry around.Awesome setup...........

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

I have used screwins for over 25 years. The only screwin steps I completely trust are Cranford Ezy Climb rod steps. They don't fold so they are a little bulky, but fit in my fanny pack just fine. But for ease of use and quickness, Lone Wolf climbing sticks or Ameristep aluminum rapid rails are on my list.

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

I bought two 20' sets of sticks this year, just to give them a shot. I bought Hunter's View Tree Snake sticks. They were VERY inexpensive, which is why I thought I'd try them. I've only used them half a season, but so far so good. I can tell you their customer service is PHENOMENAL! I had been planning on building my own, but these were cheaper than JUST the raw steel I would have needed. They're not too heavy (though I have nothing to compare it too). During the off-season, I plan on getting some grip tape from the local skate shop, and applying a thing strip to each step...will stop the squeaking sound from my rubber boots when wet, and will make them much safer when muddy/icy. The last batch of screw-ins I bought came from Walmart, and are the steel rod type (non-folding). Used them for 3 season with no complaints at all...they go in MUCH easier than some of the older steps I had.

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

I've been using the Ameristep Grizzlies and never had a problem... They are big, firm footing and strong... however.. I have read enough about what screw in steps can do to you if you fall and I keep thinking about being gored between the legs or under the chin. This year I bought two sets of walking stiks. The problem I face now is that you can remove the bottom sets of screw-ins to keep people from getting up in my stand and stealing it. What do you guys do with the climbing stiks to prevent that?

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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$$. :D

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

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.

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

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!!!

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

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.

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

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.

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

Cool. Whoever tries it first will post back here with the results, okay? :DMy 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.

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

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

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

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.

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

From all the help and suggestions you all have given me, I've done some research on the Rapid Rails, the Gorilla stacking sticks, the lone Wolf sticks and a few others. Of these, most cost about $100 for the basic set-up without adding extra sections and most weighed under 12lbs. That's all good. What I need to know now is which will get me to around 18 feet easily. If I'll need to buy additional sections to reach that height, I need to know that since it is a big factor i.e.-extra weight, noise, cost, etc.

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

Hunter's View Tree Snakes will get you 20', and I only paid 38 bucks. I bought 2 20' sets...one of the pieces was missing the part that rests against the tree, and they sent me THREE free sections and let me keep the one I had...that's 16' free, and they did it FAST. There may be higher quality stick made (I'm sure there is), but these work nice, and the company treated me super, so I'm "stickin'" with them. :)

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

4 lone wolf sticks can get me 20' feet and they stack together and only weigh 14lbs total.

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

How much does 4 sections of Lone Wolf cost?

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

How do you guys transport these sticks? I have some hunter's view sticks and they are noisy and heavy and it's hard to carry stand, pack, sticks, bow all at once. I tried strapping them together with velcro straps but can't get all four to stay together tight and quiet. That's why I was considering one of the shorter independant (non-interlocking) steps that could be strapped to my stand. I still haven't found a method that beats my amacker screw ins for ease and quiet. I carry 11 steps in a fanny pack and can get up to 25' if I stretch. It takes a bit longer to get in and set up (approx 30 min to climb and hang stand ) but it's getting hard on the elbows hanging off the tree even with a lineman setup on my rock climbing harness. Although the steps may be heavy (probably just under 10 lbs) it's a compact weight and close to the body so easy to carry. Haven't found an alternate system yet that I like as much but these steps are getting old and I'd like to retire them before they fail.

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

I just use 2 of the tree strap tie-downs that came with the sticks to tightly hold all 5 sections together. If you're hauling in a stand as well, you can strap those to the back of the stand. I usually juts through them over my shoulder and carry them in that way...but I never have to go farther than a mile with them. I used to use pieces of pipe insulation between the sections to make them quiet, bu now I find that if I just strap the sections together tightly, that it's good enough.

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

well, i have the lone wolf climbing sticks and the lone wolf hang on they fit to the stand perfectly and if you go to the hardware store and get to 16' bungy straps they hold the sticks to the stand perfectly w/out a noise. it will get you depending on how much space you put between them from 14-18 feet. in my neck of the woods i usually hit some branches and don't even use but 1-2 of the sticks. i will warn you not to trust a pecan tree though. just this past weekend i was one lucky sole, i used on stick and thought i would be cute and just grab the 1st limb and pull my self up them climb on up to put the stand on. well the i got on it and grabbed the next limb and without warning the limb my foot was on broke and the limb i was holding swung me out and it broke. i fell about 10-12 feet and landed on my back and head. i have hunted out of treestands for 15 years and have never fallen til now but it has really opened my eyes. if you use a limb you better make sure it is alive and this time of year you cant tell w/ pecans. when the brake there is no warning. i nocked my shoulder outand sprang my knee as well as a sore back, neck, head. i am very fortunate. please be carefull. i hit the sticks on the way down and just bruised me if it would have been a screw in step there is no telling what it would have done.

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

Good illustration of why you should use a safety belt the second you're off the ground...after reading about others falling this year, I use my climbing belt as soon as I'm off the ground. Glad you'e not seriously hurt...heal fast!

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

4 lone wolf sticks are $133...you can order directly from their website. One of the sticks has a velcro strap and that will hold together all 4 sticks. Then I just attach the 4 to my stand with a single bungee. Just need to figure out how to attach to tree without climbing down the tree each time you put another stick up.

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

WOW!! $133?? For that price they better LIFT me into the tree. I can get 3 sets (and have change) of the Hunter's View for that price...that's 60' feet of sticks. There's nothing that can justify that price for sticks...but I have 5 kids, and several other money-sucking hobbies; not counting my wife. :D