RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

I also dislike screw in steps. They are much more trouble than they're worth. I switched to climbing sticks and have never looked back.

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

I woulodn't use anything but screw ins. I make it a point to use trees with lots of limbs (I can do that here with the species of trees we got) and sometimes I only use 2-4 steps and still have my stands 15' or better.

I hate climbers. Too heavy, to noisy, too bulky, too cumdersome, too expensive ....
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RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

Another vote for the Pilot holes. I always predrill my holes. After I get it started I use both hands and sometimes my feet to really crank it in until the bottom of the step touches the tree. I have thought about the climbing sticks but how many would you need to hunt 3 different stands. I just take the bottom 2 steps out when I'm done and thats all I have to carry in to hunt. I almost always have soemone with me too. It saves alot of trips up and down the tree.

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

I have never had any problems with my walmart steps, but I think predrilling is the way to go.

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

I got a duffle bag of those damn things. If you are hunting private land get some ladder sticks. They are easier to carry than you would think, and your ready to hand a stand in minutes. Plus each step is in the proper spaceing so coming out of a tree at closing time is a little safer. I only use the screw in type as a last resort. Got a discount on some 1" square tubing andwelded up a bunch of ladders for less than a buck a foot. use ratchet straps to secure them.

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

I often use the drill method too. I found that lubricating the steps helps alot and I also bring a large box end wrench about 10"-12" long. I put it over the step and it gives tons of leverage to crank them right in. It is especially useful when taking them out after they have been in the tree for months.

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

Cisco, the Ameristeps you are using are the same I was referring too sold at Walmart. Nothing buy junk! I wouldn't give you a dime for 100 of them. I guarantee if you tried the Ezy Climb rod steps that Twang mentioned you would be a happy camper. Some people don't allow screw in steps on their propery, but where I hunt its fine. I've used screwins for over 20 yrs. and wouldn't use anything else. But you have to use quality steps!

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

I have found the Cranford EZY steps to be the best. I put just a light coat of vaseline on the screw and they go right in, no problems at all. I also have not seen that screw in steps kill trees.

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

Cisco, I have never, ever responded to a thread in all caps, so believe me, this is not an accident. PLEASE, don't form your opinion of tree steps from your experience of Ameristeps.

AMERISTEPS ARE JUNK! JUNK, JUNK, JUNK!!!!! I DON'T CARE WHERE YOU BOUGHT THEM; IF THEY CARRY THE NAME "AMERISTEP," THEY AREN'T WORTH USING AS TROTLINE WEIGHTS!!!!

RUN, DO NOT WALK, TO YOUR NEAREST DEALER WHICH CARRIES CRANFORD E-Z STEPS!!! YOU CAN'T IMAGINE THE DIFFERENCE!!! WE VETERANS IN THE KNOW IMPLORE YOU! YOU DON'T NEED TO LUG A DRILL INTO THE WOODS; YOU'LL SWEAR THE THINGS ARE POWERED BY THEMSELVES AFTER SCREWING THE FIRST ONE IN!!

The difference is in the points at the end of the screw; if you'll look at the Ameristep garbage, you'll see how the "taper" (if you could be so brash as to call it that) on the Ameristep goes from the point to the widest part of the thread in about a 1/4". Cranfords truly taper all the way from the base of the thread to the point. It's an incredible difference!

Just to let you know, I own a Summit Cobra and a Summit Viper, and I believe they are among the best climbers on the market. But if you'll go buy some Cranfords, you -- like I, probably -- will still have a tough time grabbing that big ol' climber when you can throw a 9-lb. strap-on and a few screw-in steps on and weave your way in and out of the thickest, gnarliest timber out there.

BUY CRANFORD!!!!!!! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Discipline -- not desire -- determines destiny.

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

i think they sould be outlawed. if the trees were yours would you be destroying your future veneer logs i don't think so. they make ladder stands thats what there for. i have found several left in trees cutting into one with a chainsaw is a no no.

you can use your pepper spray my 12 gauge with 3 inch slugs works fine