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Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
I just wonder who prefers what and what are the reasons why? I realize many people are probably like me and use both but if you had to pick either steps or climbing sticks, which would it be.
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RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
I like the steps. I may only need a couple in order to reach climbable branches or use them to fill in a blank spot half way up. I usually carry 7 steps. That's the max. number that will usually get me as high as I need andcan pack them in my fanny pack. In some places, though, you can't use them on public land.
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RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
I use screw ins the most , but around the house I use 12" spikes except on the bottom 4 I use screw ins and take them with me. I have 4 sets of 20' sticks I use for weekly or seasonal stands as in ill. were you cann't use screw ins.sportsmens guide has them for $35 the best deal that I found on them.
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RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
I always use strap on ladders. I have had too many of those screw in steps pull out and cause me to fall. I'm very lucky to still have my manhood after one such fall. Plus I find it a lot quicker and with practus quiter to use the sticks. I strap mine to my treestand and then back pack the whole package in at once, this works great.
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RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
The sticks can be a pain to tote around very much. My 16' sticks weigh 21 lbs. plus I use a 4' extension some. That weight isn't alot but if you have to pack it in along with a stand and a bow or gun, plus my day pack, it gets real heavy, real quick. However, I prefer to use the sticks if its some where close where I can get in and set up without toting them a long ways. I use them in stands I plan on leaving in one spot mostly like on food plots or areas or trails that produce year after year.
I prefer the steps if Im packing in a ways or somewhere where I worry about theft. Just unscrew the last steps and it'll be harder for someone wandering by to steal my stand. |
RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
I use climbing a climbing stick because our state game laws prohibit the use of screw on steps. I was reluctant to use the stick, but after the first year I wouldn't go back to the steps. They make that early morning climb much safer and faster.
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RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
I prefer the screw-in steps for two reasons: cost and weight. 10 steps cost about $20 and put me about 15 feet off the ground. The cost of sticks would be a lot more to get that distance off the ground. 10 steps are a lot more compact and weigh a whole lot less than sticks.
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RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
Hillbilly, The screw in pull out, especially in a dead tree. A friend of mine had one pull out 15 foot up in a tree, he luckly caught his shoe lace in the next step down and hung upside down, till he was able to right himself and keep from falling. Climbing sticks are expensive. See this for how to make steps that are cheap and safe:
http://www.the-gleasons.com/How%20to%20make%20steps%20into%20a%20Y-board.pdf Chap Gleason |
RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
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.
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RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
I've tried them all, the L.W. sticks are easier, quieter, less work, and FASTEST.....
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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.
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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. |
RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
sticks are safer...more of a pain to lug, but worth it.
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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.
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RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
screw ins
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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.
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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..
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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.
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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.
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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. |
RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
i use both...but prefere sticks...just seem easier to put up..........
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RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
I can't use screw in steps on the public land that I hunt. I have a set of the Aluminum Rapid Rails and I love them. They are light and get me up to around 18'. I just bought a 42" extension this year. Will see how high I can get with that.
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RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
I use both. The only screw in steps I will use is Cranford's Rod steps. I can buy them for $3 a piece at my local archery shop. These are the best steps I have ever used, sharp, easy to screw in but hold great.
I will be using Lone Wolf climbing sticks as well this season. More expensive than most others, but have many features that are well worth it. |
RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
Depends on your state laws. In FL screw in's are not allowed on WMA's.
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RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
I prefer climbing sticks, but around here, you might as well custom-wrap your stand and steps with a big christmas bow for the localyahoos who would steal it the second they found it. Seriously, these people would takeChrist off the cross and go back for the nails.
I use screw-ins because they're the best to protectmy stands. I have a tool to install them that really buries the threadsin the tree, and you can't get them out by hand - you'd need a hammer at a minimum. Also, I can set them extra far apart so that most people would split their pants or be otherwise unable to climb the steps. I'd need 5 padlocks and 30 feet of cable to protect a set of climbing sticks. Another added bonus of the screw-in steps is that they're less visible. If you have a well-hidden stand, a passer-by may not even notice it. On public land in PA - you can't use screw-in steps, so I useaSummit climber. |
RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
sticks are so much more safter and faster and easier to put up.
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RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
I use old TV antenas. They are free as people want to get rid of them. I will then use a rachet strap to attach to the tree.
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RE: Screw in Steps vs. Climbing sticks?
I also use tv towers. Working in radio, I get lots of them for free from engineers from our stations. One guy tried giving me a 36'' face radio tower section made of steel. It was 10 feet long and probably weighed close to 1000 lbs. Had to pass on that bad boy.
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