Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
09-05-2006, 01:09 PM
#11
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location:
Posts: 4,553
RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
I like and use climbing sticks/ladder versus screw in steps. I do not feel secure in climbing on screw in steps when less than optimal conditions, such as rain and snow or low light. I prefer to heft a little more weight of the climbing sticks versus the risk that many "cheesy" screw ins provide.
09-05-2006, 06:50 PM
#12
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location:
Posts: 3,246
RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
ORIGINAL: GregH
Wow! Why would anyone climb a dead tree regardless of using steps or sticks? You're taking your life into your own hands when you do this. I've been using screw in steps for over 20 years. I've had the old, blunt tiped, hard to use single piece steps break when frozen, but when using the more expensive two piece screw in steps, I've never had a problem. You get what you pay for. You must also remember to not use the same hole for your steps. They wear out and the step will pull out. They will also pull out if you don't screw them into the tree properly. They should always lay nice and flat against the tree after being screwed fully in. It is also possible to screw them too far into the tree which can cause them to try and lever themselves out of the tree. I have over 50 steps. I always check them and maintain them. Throw away the bad ones. Bent, rusty or loose pins should be discarded. Your life is not worth the risk. I always carry 15 with me when setting a stand. I can go from 3 to 30 feet with that amount. The extras are used for hanging bows, calls, rattling antlers, binos, cameras etc. The climbing sticks are nice also, a bit cumbersome, but easier to use as you get older. Eventually I'll just be using a ladder stand and then a ground blind until I retire from hunting.
Wow! Why would anyone climb a dead tree regardless of using steps or sticks? You're taking your life into your own hands when you do this. I've been using screw in steps for over 20 years. I've had the old, blunt tiped, hard to use single piece steps break when frozen, but when using the more expensive two piece screw in steps, I've never had a problem. You get what you pay for. You must also remember to not use the same hole for your steps. They wear out and the step will pull out. They will also pull out if you don't screw them into the tree properly. They should always lay nice and flat against the tree after being screwed fully in. It is also possible to screw them too far into the tree which can cause them to try and lever themselves out of the tree. I have over 50 steps. I always check them and maintain them. Throw away the bad ones. Bent, rusty or loose pins should be discarded. Your life is not worth the risk. I always carry 15 with me when setting a stand. I can go from 3 to 30 feet with that amount. The extras are used for hanging bows, calls, rattling antlers, binos, cameras etc. The climbing sticks are nice also, a bit cumbersome, but easier to use as you get older. Eventually I'll just be using a ladder stand and then a ground blind until I retire from hunting.
09-06-2006, 09:38 AM
#14
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: North Louisiana
Posts: 3,050
RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
Climbing sticks all the way. I hunt on my private land so I can leave them out there. I have nine lock ons up with climbing sticks. The Strong Built sticks are not that expensive and they are just as safe as any other brand. You can get 16 feet for 39.95 at Walmart or 20 feet for 49.95. Check your local sporting goods store because sometimes the 20 feet stick goes on sale for $39.00.
09-15-2006, 09:41 AM
#16
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location:
Posts: 356
RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
I have had a climber for about 8 years now and won't trade it for anything! Back in the early days, I used the screw in steps and those worked OK. Negatives are that you spend too much time screwing them into the tree if you don't have a permanent tree from which to hunt, dangerous when screwing in the upper steps, they make too much noise, you work up a sweat, if you carry too many they get heavy. I never used the climbing sticks, but I prefer the self climber.
09-15-2006, 10:06 AM
#17
Typical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location:
Posts: 888
RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
Its just plain hard to hold yourself up n the tree while screwing those steps in. Then you have to hang a stand, clibing sticks are the only way to go, other than a good summit climbing stand..
09-15-2006, 12:24 PM
#18
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 27
RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
I've only used the steps and do so because I'm either hunting public land that allows them or private land that I can keep a stand up as long as I want. The steps are nice and solid if put in correct and I have yet to have one fail ( knock on wood! ). I hate the wobbly feeling of ladders and have never used these sticks. You have to be extra careful when they are wet or it is dark, but they work for me.
09-15-2006, 01:03 PM
#19
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,358
RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
I use the stepladder system, they are tie on steps that are rock solid once on the tree. Faster and more portable than screw in steps (which are illegal here in NH) and easier to carry around than climbing sticks/ladders.
09-15-2006, 04:26 PM
#20
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Bennettsville, SC
Posts: 542
RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
I like the sticks. They are more expensive, but they take a lot less work. And here in the South, most of our land belongs to timber companies who don't want you screwing anything into their trees.
I also don't like the fact that the tree might get some kind of diease and die. Espically if you are hunting out of a oak, which due to timber companies are few and far b/t here in SC.
I also don't like the fact that the tree might get some kind of diease and die. Espically if you are hunting out of a oak, which due to timber companies are few and far b/t here in SC.