BD, I' ve used them for so many years, I think the first set I purchashed was from the now defunct Bowhunters Warehouse in Wellsville Pa. They stack on top of one another and I just bunge cord them to the stand and it all goes on your back. By removing the bottom ladder it discourges theft and entry to your stand.

Actually, neither. Call me old fashioned but I still use strap-on tree steps when I tote the hang-on stand out into the woods. I have found them to offer the best versatility when it comes to placement and have never had a major concern with them.

Most of the time I use my climbing stand but when I use a loc on I have always used screw in steps. If you do use the screw in type make sure you get a step starter, it makes things much easier.
After reading these posts I may have to check out the climbing sticks, it seems like everyone likes them.

It comes down to weight for me. The climbing sticks are quicker to set-up and are much easier to climb. Not usually as high as I would like but if you buy the optional extra piece they' ll get you 20 feet. They are definitely bulky and most are pretty heavy. We usually use them on the stands that aren' t to deep in the woods. I wouldn' t consider using them on a hike in ...setup .. then hunt.. then pack out. To heavy, loud setting up and bulky. But if you have a secure area and can leave a stand up for a few days they are very nice.

Guys who don' t feel real comfortable climbing trees love them.

[Deleted by Admins]

I have used both, but I feel safer with the climbing stick. I use the huntersview climbing stick and it works great. Much easier and faster to get the stand hung. I think I will buy 1 or 2 more for my other stands

I have a few lock on stand,and I use the screw in steps for those...also have a few latter stands. I admit...it sure takes alot out of you, hanging a lock-on using screw in steps....

Absolutely using climbing sticks is better. Steps can be apain in the butt. Unfortunatley I' m not made of $, so I have to resort to using a combination of both. If I could afford it, I' d only use sticks...but at $40+ per set... multiplied by all the stands I like to hang...OUCH[:' (]

I' ve used screw-in steps for more years than I can remember. I have two different sets of strap-on ladder steps, but the two kinds I have are extreemly heavy, bulky and noisy. I set them up yesterday on my place where they' ll probably stay all season. I' ll still be screwing steps into trees at 0 dark thirty. [&o]

I must say I' m mostly a climber type of guy. I hunt alot of public ground and spots where it just makes sense to pack a stand in on your back.

However last year I started a hunting a perfect little funnel behind my neighbors place and decided to stick a hang-on stand in there. I bought Summit' s Swiftree and was very pleased with it. It' s heavier than most because of it' s steel construction, but it' s awesome once it' s in place. My Dad and I hunted Illinois last year and hang-on' s were once again the only choice.

For this years Illinois trip I' m planning on buying another Gorilla stand and either Rapid Rails or Summit' s new Bucksteps.

Tyler