I hunt private property (mine)
I just hung a strap-on in the swamp, 20' up, but have not put the steps in yet (I use My climber to hang the stand).
As I get older, I get less comfortable with screw in gut hook steps.
Plus will they kill the tree?

It would be great to slip into the swamp and up the tree unheard, but cant help but feel that a climber is safer. With the climber I have the belt around the tree as I am climbing.
I was looking at the "fall guy retractor" for the strap on stand, maybe that will ease My mind, anyone use one ?
16 year old nephew is hunting with Me this year, he used both last year, just do not want him falling.

Slack

I guess it's just personal preference. I like a climber myself. I don't think the steps kill trees.

You can always buy some of the climbing sticks or ladders which offer the "NO GUT HOOK" way of getting up and down. If you want to be safe while going up and down you can use the climbing system ropes to be attached all the way up and down once the stand is set.
http://www.summitstands.com/productDetail.aspx?id=329148

I bought some of those summit sticks the other day from cabela's 60 bucks but they're only good to about 15'. you could buy 2 sets. Saw some other brandat wally world later for 30 something. I think I'll combine the 2. The summits have no pegs and you couldn't impale yourself if you tried.

It's hard tobeat the convenience of a climber in my opinion. I've thought about switching on to a hang-on stand for years, but bought an API Extreme Bowhunter two years ago and love it. I can't imagine fumbling with steps while suspended to a tree unless you hang all your stands pre-hunt..something you definitely wouldn't want to do on public land. Climbing sticks are an option, but are just one more thing to lug around.

on private land i use hang ons with climbing sticks got the extension for one stand and use 2 of em for another stand i use my climber on public ground they steel everything around here

As for the hang - on stands I rather use one that has a chain instead of thestrap , the strap has a tendencey to streach and you gotta check it everytime you use it and tighten if need to.
I feel more comfortible and secure with a chaintype , as for the climbing sticks MEIJER has them on sale for $ 25. 00 for a 16 feet and you can get a 4 foot extenson for $ 9.99.

RD,
Dicks has the 16' for $30.00 and the 4' ext for $13.00.
ComfortZone brand it I remember correctly.

Where/What is Meijer ?

Slack

I trust hang on stands more than I would a climber. At least the base of my hang on doesn't have the chance of falling out from under me 20+ feet up a tree.

Screw in steps wont hurt the tree. If you were to leave a step in the tree for years, the tree will just grow around it.

I like to use a fixed wooden stand. As long a you use treated lumber they last pretty good. and are really Pretty safe. Once there built.