Looking to buy some additional tree steps and it seems Ameristep has discontinued making their Grizzly tree step (at least they no longer show them on their website). I've used these steps for a long time and like their strength and size. Cabela's has some left, but only in 8 packs, I would prefer a 20 pack and the savings quantity offers. The Sportsman's Guide has Grizzly tree steps, but they are not the Ameristep brand. Can anyone point me to a source for these? Or, does anyone have experience with a similar replacement?
Thanks.
I hate screw in steps. First of all they scare me... I imagine being gutted by them in the event of a fall. Secondly I always got "sweated up" putting them in... not good on a hang then hangout day.
Much prefer the Rapid Rails. Easy to climb, solid and last a long time... and I don't worry about being eviscerated.
Sorry I'm not much help with your actual question but this will help give your thread another ride down the page.
Charlie X2. And I'll add another reason - I don't think they are good for the trees to open a wound like that. Certainly not good for the veneer if you ever plan to harvest the tree for lumber.
I sold all of my screw in steps a few years ago and have replaced them with Lone Wolf steps and Rapid Rails.
A lot of landowners and state/federal agencies prohibit screw in steps for the very reason you said Whip, also if they are not removed and the trees are timbered-there goes a very expensive saw blade.
Cant really help? google search - someone still has em I am sure ---
The rope ones while expensive are really easy and hold really well. Even for a "hang and hangout" day.
Cant help for the gutted part if you fall? :-)
J
Only steps I will use are Cranford. If you have your heart set on steps that's the way I would go. Amazo* sometime sells them in bulk. I drill hole with my tree hopper bit and use bolts that I can easily remove when I leave.
I don't trust a step AND like Charlie said, they scare me just thinking of a fall.
The couple of times I have used them at a buddy's setup they never gave way nor did I slip. It's just one of those things that even though you don't have evidence to distrust them I do.
20 or 30 years ago, a hunter did an article about getting his wedding ring caught on a step when he slipped. The photos were nasty-he nearly lost his finger!!! I have seen pictures of rings getting caught when a person fell that did remove a finger.
I feel like an outlaw.
I love screw in steps. I buy them at Dicks Sporting Goods.
I use Cranford EZY steps. Made of USA steel and sharper screws than the others. Their bow hanger is also better than others.
I run 20 plus lock on stands on for my deer hunts and the economy of steps and amazing speed of set-up make them important. For safety, close spacing and three points of contact while climbing will minimize the hazard as much as possible. I understand the concern that some might have.
The steps I use come from Wal-Mart. Not only are they affordable at $2 per step, they have the best starting points of any step I have used. They also have a specific angle that makes them the safest I have used.
I know it has already been mentioned by others but be carefull. I would have completely disregarded and laughed this topic off 2 years ago.
I used tree steps for over 20 years. They worked really well for a guy on a BUDGET...HOWEVER, that budget got taken back and way more than then some in medical bills from the fall they contributed to.
Not worth the chances. I fell 2 years ago and badly broke my leg due to the small footprint they give you. I now have 3 plates and bunch of screws in my leg bones.
It's your decision, just think about it and Be carefull using these!
QuoteOriginally posted by tracker12:
Only steps I will use are Cranford. If you have your heart set on steps that's the way I would go. Amazo* sometime sells them in bulk. I drill hole with my tree hopper bit and use bolts that I can easily remove when I leave.
Saw a Warren Womack youtube video where he demonstrated this. Seems like the way to go, but if I am on game lands I can't here in NC.
QuoteOriginally posted by SELFBOW19953:
20 or 30 years ago, a hunter did an article about getting his wedding ring caught on a step when he slipped. The photos were nasty-he nearly lost his finger!!! I have seen pictures of rings getting caught when a person fell that did remove a finger.
Called a "degloving" and it is NASTY - cringe when I think of it. Guy was yelling "it hurts " holding his hand. While I had to stay orgpfessional about it I was thinking it should!!
We need be careful anytime we are out there, just saw a pic floating around the internet of an arrow run through a mans outer thigh. It was a trad head though I am not sure the circumstances of how it got there, I am assuming he fell on it.
Should be easy to find them on the net,
J
i hate screw in steps. they ruin good potential timber trees, and just open a wound that disease and insects can enter. Get straps ons or climbing sticks, or a climber.
Thanks for all the replies. I agree with you, Charlie. I have the same thoughts every time I descend and so use the Jerry Russell 3 points of contact method.
I have Lone Wolf sticks and while I like their concept I dislike the short length of step for my foot to stand on. When my boots are full of mud it's even worse.
I will be checking out the Cranford steps and the Walmart source.
Again, thanks for all the input.
those things terrify me..
I agree with most of the other guys. We used steps for a long time at my lease, then my best friend very nearly DID gut himself. He was very fortunate to only come out of the deal with 35 stitches. Still beats your guts hitting the ground.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is if left in a tree for several years they rust right at the end of the threads where the tree wood ends, making them weak and VERY DANGEROUS.
The newer climbing sticks are so dang easy, man. Safer and easier to put up. That is my recommendation.
Jake
I had a friend almost bleed to death when one broke and gutted him.
As I stated earlier I have a set of the Lone Wolf sticks. Someone else mentioned Rapid Rails. What other brands of climbing sticks do you all prefer?
One time an insurance adjuster came to my place and in the trunk of his compact car he had an extremely light weight telescoping ladder that would reach up to sixteen feet. Ever since I've wished I could find something similar to use when hunting from a tree stand....just extend, lean against the tree, climb, and begin hunting.
Thoughts?
I own at least 6 sets of Rapid Rails and they collect dust in the barn. That's because I can't get them totally silent in use. No matter what I've tried they invariably go "clink!" when putting my weight on them (200#) on a cold frosty morning. If I could get them 100% quiet (no exceptions) I would use them. A 'clinker' isn't going under any stand I hunt from...I just don't give on that issue. The Rapid Rails are by far the safest hang-on climbers I know of. They offer two very important features: multiple hand-holds and foot-capture. As long as you pay attention in climbing, they are nearly as safe as a typical ladder.
I've used a variety of screw-in steps for 35 years and I've not had one bad incident r/t the step failing. I've never had a foot slip off one, nor have I been injured in any way by them. I've left them in trees for years and they are fine. I only use them in places where they are considered acceptable, and where the quality of the trees (for timber) is not a consideration. My all-time favorite step is the Cranford Ezy-Climb single-fold, as the tapered screw is far and away better than others I've tried. I feel 100% safe on them, and I've literally taken thousands of steps up and down on them in my life.
One thing I've never cared much for with Rapid Rails and other aids is knowing that 100% of my body weight is being supported by a single nylon strap and metal spring-lock. I've never had one fail, but I've replaced some that were in bad shape. With treesteps I have 4 true points of attachment/contact when climbing, so if one fails the others are still in place.
I have an older set of Rails with the rope attach but they still have a steel hook that can clank pretty good. I put crutch tips on the ends and that really helps with keeping them quiet against the tree.
Thanks Kevin and Fletcher.
Anyone else with preferences and/or thoughts on climbing sticks?
We mostly use the stick ladders anymore and have pretty much retired a bunch of screw in steps. I don't mind the screw ins, but most of my buddies want nothing to do with them. The stick ladders are quick and easy. A good harness and lineman's strap is a must use. They do cost and weigh more.