Any bowhunters have a screw-in break off on them?
 

I've been meaning to ask this for a while, however, just getting around to it. While bowhunting over in Illinois in mid-November I had the misfortune of experiencing my 1st broken screw-in step. I am usually very careful when hanging or taking down stands, but not this time. Over a period of 12 months I will hang, and take down, over 50 treestands, so I am quite familiar with the procedure. On this particular day, my patience were gone and I was worn down from hunting hard for the past month. In addition, it was raining, cold and over a hour past dark[:@].

I had my climbing belt on, but did not have the belt around the tree (note: the reasons I was in a hurry above:eek:). After taking down both stands (my friend was filming with me) I began to remove the screw-ins. If you've ever tried taking these things out of a hedge or locust tree when you are tired...it's not much fun. About the 4th step I tried to remove would not budge[:@]. After bruising my hand while failing to loosen the step, I reached across to my left with both hands and gave it a good "tug".....SNAP! It broke as quickly and cleanly as one might cut a small wire using wire cutters. Luckily, I fell only a few feet before grabbing one of the multiple trunks in this particular hedgetree.

I walked away with only a sore shoulder and a realization of what could have happened. Were this a different type of tree with nothing to grab onto, like so many of the oak and locust trees I usually perfer, I would have fallen 20 ft backwards!

I certainly didn't mean to ramble, but I felt those of you who feel "bullitproof" -like I did- need to be careful and wear your safety harness and climbing belt at all times. I had "heard" of screw-ins breaking, now I know they can.

RE: Any bowhunters have a screw-in break off on them?
 

Wow, that is scarey!!!

I have had some pull out of thick barked soft trees before (different kind of screw-in however) but never thought one of this style would break like that.

I just took six of my stands down tonight and two of them had screw-in steps that had been in the trees for two seasons. Fortunately none broke but my old body is so worn out from wrestling with those steps, right now I can hardly punch the keys on this keyboard.

Who is the manufacturer of those steps? They look like they are in fairly good condition.

Glad to hear you were not hurt.

RE: Any bowhunters have a screw-in break off on them?
 

Same exact spot.

RE: Any bowhunters have a screw-in break off on them?
 

Only 1 other hunter has had this happen. I'm telling y'all,
pay attention when you're using them. During the off-season I
would take a wire brush and remove any rust that has started.
Few accidents will be avoided with a "mulligan" like mine was.

Antler Eater,
These particular screw-ins came from my hunting partner. He had
a dozen or so that he threw into are collection of a couple hundred.
They have no markings, except for the small weld on the inside of the
'elbow'. He 'thinks' they are 15-20 years old? I've shown them to
quite a few fellow hunters, including all at my bow shop where they
had a catalog of screw-ins, and noone recognizes the brand. Needless
to say, I have thrown all of this particular step in the trash.

Since this happened I've asked a lot of questions. One thing I've heard
from several others is don't leave your screw-ins in the tree year around.
With the tree continually growing, stress is put on the step and causes
it to weaken....thus the potential for disaster.

This undoubtedly is a rare occurence, but like I've mentioned, get a climbing
belt and wear it. It could save your life.

RE: Any bowhunters have a screw-in break off on them?
 

I had one break on me this past fall. I don't believe I had my harness hooked up yet, but what saved me was the 3 point of contact system. When my weight shifted onto the step it broke, but fortunately I was still holding on to others and maintained myself in the tree, about 15-16 ft up. I was hanging my stand for the fall and oddly enough, replacing some of the steps that i had left out from the previous year. Mine broke in that exact same spot too.

RE: Any bowhunters have a screw-in break off on them?
 

I have never had one break, but I do have friends that have. I use the silver tips by ameristep. They seem to be a lot thicker, but I'm not saying that they couldn't break either. Always use a three point climbing system. It takes a while to get used to, but comes automatically after a while. Glad to hear you are OK.

what kind of steps were they?

RE: Any bowhunters have a screw-in break off on them?
 

I also had a folding step break at the rivet, you really need to check them if your crazy enough to use em. Mine all went in the garbage about 14 years ago.When your screwing a folding step into a tree check were all the pressure is placed,right on the .02 cent rivet.

RE: Any bowhunters have a screw-in break off on them?
 

I've never had one break but have had some pull out. Some trees will form a "plug" around the threads if left in the tree too long (couple of years) and will pull out like a cork. I learned this the hard way. Luckily I had ahold of the platform of my stand or would have fallen about 20 feet. For this reason I would strongly recommend moving the steps at the start of every season. If the threads are clogged with sap you can clean them up with a steel brush.

RE: Any bowhunters have a screw-in break off on them?
 

Charlie P - just by chance, my friend also had a bunch of these. He said they were easier to screw in the tree. My brother and I said NO WAY...never even considered them. To me, they
just look like a potential problem. If not because of the rivet alone holding all the weight,
the length of the threads appear to be too short.

BobCo 19-65 - they are a older model, as I mentioned above, can't figure out what kind they are. There are no markings on them.

RE: Any bowhunters have a screw-in break off on them?
 

Ether the threads are to short or when they cut the threads they are cutting to deep right where the threads start. It looks like they could make them thicker or just make them out of better still[&:] I use them but i have never had that happen before. But from now on you can bet i will replace and inspect all my steps before using them.