climbing sticks
 

We have some good posts on stands going,thought I would throw this out.What are you using for climbing sticks and your experiences with them?Ron

RE: climbing sticks
 

I have several of them and used them from time to time. Usually I put up a couple stands for guest and that's what I use on them. I have two twenty foot ones, a 12 and a 16 foot one. We also use steps but mostly our climbers for our own hunting. I like the sticks well enough. It's just they weigh in at about a pound a foot in most cases.. plus they're a little bulky. So you add a stand and it's not something I like to haul too far. The aluminum ones tend to make noises in the winter and clold weather. I've sprayed them full of foam insualtion which helped some but not worth the effort really. They have their place and I'll always use them. We generally end up with a few screw in steps in addition to the sticks. We use screw in steps more. We also use 2 sections of a stick and steps from 9 or 10 feet up to the stand. That way you can stash a couple sections somewhere to quietly put up to reach the steps and not have someone using your stand or stealing it. Well at least you make it tougher.

RE: climbing sticks
 

i have 2 sets of strong built sticks. theyre cheap, but not too bad

RE: climbing sticks
 

I've got a 20' set of StrongBuilts, too. One thing, make sure you buy some stair tape for the top surfaces of the steps. You might make a quicker-than-desired descent if you don't. I lengthened my ropes to 10' instead of the standard 6', and it makes for easier use on larger trees. I think ratchets would be even better.

RE: climbing sticks
 

I'm not to wild about screw in steps myself.......I prefer sticks and strap on steps.

I have mostly Summit stuff and it's very good. I have 2 Swifttree ladders, and probably Summits best fixed stand item: "BuckSteps"
These are great.......more versatile than a 1 piece ladder style stick. Each section has 2 steps on it that you can stand on with both feet, and since they strap on individually you can use them in trees not possible with a climbing stick.
They are super solid and easy to set up. Plus like Dave mentioned, you can leave the very bottom of the tree blank and start the Bucksteps up a bit where someone can't get at them, and just strap one more on when you get to your tree or use some screw in steps at the very bottom.

I'm going to be painting mine later today (like to play;)) and will try to get some pics up of these.

RE: climbing sticks
 

I have a of set of Gorilla climbing sticks that are 3' long and come in 3 to a set they have 3 steps to each stick and weigh 3lb each they have a strap to attach to the tree.

Also I just got a set of their stack n sticks which came in 4x4' lenghts that also have 3 steps to each stick and attach by a strap. These are ok if you have a perminant stand as you put them together on the ground then lift them into position.

On both sets the steps can be turned from left to right or right to left depending on how you look at it:)

If you are wanting more portable sticks have a look at the climbing sticks I can usually set those up along with my stand and be hunting in about 5 minutes

RE: climbing sticks
 

Last month I bought a set of Lone Wolf climbing sticks. Obviously I have not used them in a hunting situation yet, but I have practiced with them some. They seem to be very stable, quiet and easy to put up. They look very similar to the Gorilla sticks mentioned above.

RE: climbing sticks
 

Since I don't hunt public land much, I use Cranford Ezy Climb screw in Rod Steps......strongest and easiest to use that I have found. But I have been thinking of trying Lone Wolf's climbing sticks since the steps can be reversed. I like the design of Summit's Bucksteps too although I don't know if I would like taking "straight" steps up the tree. I am a little bowlegged.[8D]

RE: climbing sticks
 

My friends dad has the lone wolf steps and they are sweet. They only weigh 7 pounds and you can pack and set them up quietly if you take your time. He has about 20 hang on stands and doesn't leave any steps, just brings them in with him in the morning.

RE: climbing sticks
 

I have several of the 20' Strongbuilt sticks. For the money they can'rt be beat but they are a bit heavy and bulky. I recently bought a set of the Summit Bucksteps and have even tried them out in the woods. I don't think I'll buy anything else from now on.