I've been using tree steps since the day I started hunting (25 years ago). I tell ya, I'm getting sick of screwing these things In. Softer tree's Isn't so bad but them oak's and other tree's that are hard are starting to wear on me. For you people who've used both, tell me some advantages of using either one. My thinking Is there's probably less movement Involved In putting sticks up and their much easier on the body putting up. I've got 4 different brands of tree steps (well over 100 steps total). I've got Ameristep, Cranford, and 2 other kinds I can't remember the name of. How hard Is It to put sticks up In tree's that have many big branches coming off of the tree? What climbing sticks would you recommend? How many sticks does It take to get to a certain height? I'm completely new to these things. Never have messed with them before.
I know we started using that drill bit attachment for our steps and love them! We have however started switching to stick/ladders when the tree is straight...however I still love that the gnarliest tree with that spot for a stand can be reached with steps and not even touched with sticks.
Sticks are only about 200 x easier. If leaving them up for the season I would recommend a cheap $35 set of 20' climbing sticks. Relatively easy to assemble going up the tree or from the ground then stand them up. Rock solid once cinched in and no worries if a thief comes by, it was only $35. That said they are noisy/cumbersome to take in so I'd recommend setting before seasons open. If not leaving up all season, I'd go with either Lone Wolf or Muddy sticks. Muddy IMO are easier to set on the tree with their rope system rather than webbing/buckles, but the Lone Wolf Get you much higher for the same amount of weight packing in it seems. I carry 5 muddy sticks for my setup and average between 15-20+ feet on setups, depending on cover and whether there are branches in place to use as steps etc. I'd say 4 Lone Wolf sticks get you to the same height and likely weigh about the same or less. If starting over I'd probably buy LW sticks although I certainly don't regret my Muddys.
If you're going to put them in before you hunt...I'd stick with screw ins. They are cheaper, and less intrusive looking. These are the tree steps I'll be using in the future -http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?p=WX2&i=158966. I'll keep my LW set for run and gun stuff, but it's too nice to not have to hang and hunt.
Great post on the subject and, yes, if they are permanent, get the cheap ones. I am not knocking muddy sticks but I would always get LW sticks over them.
I have the Muddy's and love them. The rope system is the bomb. Also like the fact that the steps are on both the left and right side, which works nice for me. you can also add a step to each Muddy fairly easy, but of course that isn't condoned, if you know what I mean.
Faster and quieter. I'm using Lone Wolf and have owned both Muddy and LW. I like the LW much better. I've never found a tree that I can't climb with sticks.
Climbing sticks are quite a bit easier to put up and, if you get good aluminum ones, aren't that bad to carry in and out. Another option you might look at is the strap on steps. Hunting public land, around here, you can't use screw in steps so I started using the strap, or rope, on steps several years ago. They took a while to get used to but, now, the only problem I have is that, once in a while, the straps get tangled in the bag I carry them in. I usually just take the first half dozen,or so, steps down and leave the rest in the tree (check the straps when you climb though because I've had squirrels gnaw through a couple of them).
If you have the money to spend, Lone Wolf is the way to go. In a perfect world, I would have them for every one of my stands. The cheap ladder style sticks, that you piece together are nice, but they won't work with every tree. I use some Ameristep sticks that I leave out all year. They have held up nice, but they are a little noisy on cold mornings. It makes hanging a new set so much easier though.
Does anyone use LW steps and actually leave them out there? I always just assumed they were for mobile setups only given the costs of these things.
If you don't mind Steve I want to tell you a little story about sticks before I answer you. About 20 years ago, my brother-in-law and I were sitting around complaining about using screw-in steps and about how we hated them. I said; "ya know, we could take a piece of pipe and weld steps onto it and use something to lash it to a tree and that would be a real easy way to to get in our stands." Well we didn't do anything with the idea and about 2 or 3 years later, the first climbing sticks showed up on the market. We've been kicking ourselves ever since. Now to answer your question. I would rather use a stick any day. They are so easy to put up and with the advent of the stick sections, such as Muddy and Lone Wolf, they have become much more accomodating to crooked or uneven trees. Personally I would never go back to screw-in steps. The only thing I ever do with my old left over screw-in steps now is use them for bow hangers. Good luck. Blessings.......Pastorjim
I leave several sets of LW sticks out there but if its a spot i may not be back to in a few weeks I take the bottom two steps. All i use is LW setups but after using some of the millenium stands Im sure going to buy some for all day sits and use there sticks to leave out there. If your mobile and aggressive I would go with the LW steps for sure, If your leaving them out then sticks are great. The only downfall to sticks is that in high winds they tend to creek and make noise unlike the LW sticks.
I use both Steve. There's some trees that just won't work with sticks and separate deals like Ameristep Rapid rails are too expensive. I've tried to add a set of sticks or two a year as most of my trees will accomodate them and it allows my formerly ladder stand stricken father in law to get into some of my hangon setups. I'll never not have stands with screw in steps in some cases, but I prefer sticks unless the tree dictates otherwise. A drill and a 1/4" bit eases screwing them in considerably.
I use tree sticks and always have. I can get from base of tree to hunting mode in 60 seconds. That has to be an advantage of some kind.
What's your average hunting height Caleb? Curious. I'm trying to talk myself into buying sticks, but just can't seem to justify it over either of my climbers.
15 feet. Stand set up at the top of the sticks. Most trees i pick only allow that height anyways (i like clumps of trees with branches for cover)
That's my problem. Trees like that aren't plentiful where I'm at. I just feel darn naked until I hit 18 feet or higher. I have a multitude of nice oaks and ash that are good for climbing. There's been exactly one time in the last 5 years where I've stood in the woods and said that I need sticks and that day I improvised my climber and made it work. (with effort) I own a LW Assault. I use it for a camera man stand. That way I can just take it in with me to any single stand set and film with out hanging two stands at every location. I just can't make myself buy sticks that I won't be leaving in the woods.
I think sticks are the way to go Steve, especially since screw-ins are illeagal on public lands in many states. I have LW sticks. I average 4 sticks per set. I've used as little as three and as many as 7. In MN they stay up all season without issue. The only time I wish I still used screw-ins is on some sets I'd like to have 1 step high to use as a handle when getting in/out of the stand. If I have enough sticks I just go high past my stand.
They all have their place guys. Ben if you have climber ready trees that are plentiful then its a no brainer to use that. I just always find myself hunting for a climbable tree when i have my climber vs just setting up exactly where i wanted in the first place with sticks. I also don't work up quite the sweat hanging sticks and a hang on vs using a climber. A third point is that I feel much more secure in the tree with a hang on ratcheted tight vs a climber that works on leverage to simply dig into the tree. I can do jumping jacks on my hang ons where as I can't even attempt to step on the edge of a climber without it shifting. IF I am hunting where big hardwoods abound (I just don't have access to these types of areas for the most part) then I'll use a climber. For the most part I am using tiny tree setups, crooked tree setups, or in most cases trees with 500 branches between me and the height I need to climb to. I have been dying to shoot a deer out of my new LW Sit and Climb tho so I have resolved to hunt climber friendly areas in december in pursuit of a doe. haha
I'm currently building my "kit" for next season and have decided on 4 LW sticks, the Millenium M-100, and 4 extra brackets for it. The other product I'm ordering are these: http://www.shopatron.com/products/p...number=01105/9003.0.1.1.107125.0.0.0.0?pp=12& Schultzy I love steps but hated screwing them in, these seem like a good alternative so I'm going to at least try them. They are steep at $9.50 a pop but I figured a dozen will cost me around $130 after shipping which is pretty close to the price of some good sticks(actually a bit less) and may be good for hunting those unique spots where you can't find a good tree. I calculated the difference between my steps at roughly 18" and added 18" for the first step and I should be able to hit between 18-20 feet(if the tree has any branches even higher). They only fit trees up to 17" in diameter so they have limitations but I figure that's where the sticks will be better suited and worst case scenario I can always use them with the sticks for some added height if need be. I'm guesstimating all in all I will have about $600 +/-tied up but I can set up several differnt hunting locations and not have to worry about my stuff getting jacked(have lost 5 stands in 4 seasons). I can shave about $150 off if I go with a cheaper hang on and use the Hang On Buddy system but I'll add weight and in all honesty I love the seat on the Millenium so I'll probably just bite the bullet.
