a friend of mine reccomended that while hunting on private property to use a cordless drill with extra battery to drill in about 4 in. in tree then sliding in bolt.use a 1/4 bolt with a 3/8 in bit so it will slide in but be secure.he said he dont break up a sweat like he used to in warm weather while installing tree steps.he said it was definetly faster and nice to pull steps out as you descend down to leave stand in tree so its not easily seen or stolen.sounds like a great idea to me.he has been doing it for years now,he even said he has 4in. rubber sleeves on end sticking out from tree

If you intend to use standard lag bolts or threaded bolts for tree-steps, I hope you have very good medical and life insurance, and your burial expenses are prepaid.

As long as you use grade 8 bolts you won' t have a problem.Also drill the holes at an angle.Check out the simmons (sharks broadheads) web site.Jerry sells a handrill and bolt kit.Works quite well.I think he uses 3/8 bolts.

CB

Hard on the trees, could kill them.

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At an outdoor show a few years ago, a vendor was selling machine threaded bolts for installing in pre-drilled ANGLED holes. He demonstrated how well they worked to nayone who would listen. It was compelling, but I never tried them. I DO however used 1/2" lag bolts screwed into some trees ON MY OWN PROPERTY. After the season, they' re impossible to remove. They' ve been there for years with no problems whatsoever.