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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: SuperK on April 26, 2011, 03:25:00 PM
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I was wondering if it is OK to leave the screw-in tree steps in the tree rather than unscrewing them each year. Does it do the tree or the steps any harm to leave them in the tree? Do any of ya'll do it? Thanks for your time.
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The tree will grow over the steps.
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It is a good idea to remove them.Besides the fact the tree will grow out to the point where you can no longer twist the steps out,they will rust and corrode to the point that one day they will snap off if you try to remove them or possibly when you step on them.
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I have always left mine in the tree. I haven't ever had any problems doing that. But the safer thing to do would be to remove them at the end of the season.
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I remove them and put brand new ones in every 2 years. I have had them snap on me when climbing before.
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I have always left mine in the tree. I haven't ever had any problems doing that. But the safer thing to do would be to remove them at the end of the season.
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when I used them I always took them down at the end of the season. I never hunted on land that I own, but I doubt I would've done differently.
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When I used tree steps I would always remove them for the same reasons as listed above. However, I have had two break off on me and it's not a lot of fun! Luckily I wasn't very high when it happened. Now I only use Gorilla strap on steps. They are not only safer, but do no damage to the trees.
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
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Have had them both break and pull out. Took a couple occurrences and near distasters before I got the message.
It only takes one avoidable mishap to ruin much.
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I also have had a screw in step break. I now prefer strap on steps, ladder type sections. If you use them, I'd recommend taking them out.
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I have also had them break off on me.. try the quik stix XL by big game they go up 20 feet and can go up faster than screw ins
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(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n175/sswv/Dannys_accident.jpg)
"just say no to screw-in steps"
before this happened I had used them for years then, one pulled out as I was putting up a stand. and yes' it was screwed 'properly' into a white oak.
do yourself and your family and friends a favor and NEVER use a screw-in step. according to the Dr. that sewed me up I was less than 1/4" from cutting the main artery in my arm with certain death not far behind.
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A study a while back suggested that you never leave screw in steps in a tree for a extended period. They claimed that the acid from the tree will eat away at the threads on the screw, leaving nothing but a pointed spike which can pull out very easily.
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Thanks ya'll for the info. SSWV, that is one nasty wound you got there! :scared: I think I'm gonna "just say NO" myself. Man, I love this site. Thanks again ya'll.
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Originally posted by SuperK:
Thanks ya'll for the info. SSWV, that is one nasty wound you got there! :scared: I think I'm gonna "just say NO" myself. Man, I love this site. Thanks again ya'll.
good choice. be a ground pounder like some of us. I used to hunt from a tree, untill I decided to use a branch instead of screw in one more step, and that branch broke, sending me 11 feet to the ground where I snaped my ankle 1/2 mile from my truck, no cell phone, and a 4 hr drive home using my left foot on the brake and gas pedals. I did go to the hospital near where I fell, once I finally was able to crawl to my truck, and they were only able to put an air cast on me due to the swelling. As far as I know, the treestand is still in that tree.
You will thank yourself in the longrun for sitting on the ground. Take this opportunity to learn from our mistakes.
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I've climbed up into stands with screw in steps that were in for atleast 10 years probably a few more with no problems. You probably should for several of the reasons above, pull them every year tho.
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I take them out every year... Leave nothing to chance when climbing to the top!
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I would love to know what brands broke. PM me if you don't mind. I never had a Ezy Climb break, and always take them out at the end of the season.
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I'm with buckracks7, I used the Ezy climb also and never had one break. I did have one of the cheap rod type steps break once and never used those kind again. Now-a-days I just use the ladder sticks because I feel its a lot easier to gain hunting permission here in VT because we need landowner permission to put up any treestands. I do miss the portability of the screw-ins.
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I always remove mine, they're on our own land and I don't like the idea of what they might be doing to the tree. Over time the tree will grow over them.
May be making the switch to ladder stands ala the Wensels. They use them exclusively, I read and I've only been in one, but much preferred it.
Got a line on a Summit, which looks pretty tough and safe.
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Do yourself a favor, purchase a set of API rapid rails or something similar and throw away those steps. They are very dangerous.
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I agree use the strap on steps better for the tree and safer.
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After having a few fold up steps break on me I quit using them and went to cordless drill and 3/8in bolts and love the system along with my tree hopper belt. Very easy and quick to install the bolts and hang a stand, but mostly now I use stick ladders since my landowner does not like holes in his trees, but when drilling a tree is not a problem I will quickly use the drill/bolt system and can drill/step and hang a stand in about 10mins or so.
I gave away or threw away all my left over screw in steps!
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I have used hundreds and hundreds over the years and I have had one that was in a giant oak snap after being in the tree for about 8 years, never had any other problems. It is hard to say, could of happened after two days, was it a fluke? No clue, still using trees with steps that have been in 15 or more years and some are just a stub about 3"s sticking out. I now use sky-hook lags and hang on steps. I take them out and re-screw back in every 2 years as I would not be able to get them out if left in longer than that. It is up to you in the end and do what makes you feel safe. Shawn
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I take the steps out of the tree at the end of the season. I also don't screw them into the same holes the next season. I use Cranford EZY Climb steps because the points are sharper for easier installation and the steel is stronger than other brands.
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buy a nice climber and use a harness. no tree damage and no stolen stands.
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Also, if you leave a step in the tree and can't get it out, you're costing the logger/mill a bunch of money on their saw blades, or worse...
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don't drive, screw or hammer ANYTHING into a tree you don't own. the end result can never be good.
I worked in a sawmill when I was a teen and have seen first hand what metal objects left in trees can do.
my opinion, there should be a nationwide law against putting (and or) leaving objects in trees you don't own.
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I always get permission from landowners to use tree steps and to prune limbs. The private properites I hunt aren't cut for anything but firewood, with the exception of black walnut logs, so I don't use walnut trees for hanging stands. The screw holes heal up quickly. I don't think I've killed a tree in the 35 years or so I've been using screw in steps. I believe sugar maples are tapped year after year to make syrup without killing the trees. I have rope-on steps for a tree where I really want to hang a stand, but I don't have landowner permission to use screw-in steps.
I avoid treestand theft by using EZY Climb detachable steps for the bottom 6 steps. I carry the 6 steps in my fanny pack and attach them to the pre-installed screws as I climb up to my stand.
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Ive been using screw in steps for years, buy them by the case. I leave them in the tree's for years. On my last sit of the season, I turn them out 1.5 turns on hard wood, 2.5 turns on soft wood. I leave em upside down and that lets me know I have adjusted them when I go out in the spring to scout. Anybody "throwing out" screw in steps, pm me. :D