Quick story, hope this helps someone else.

Last night I was installing tree steps into a healthy 12" white pine tree and at about 10' up while screwing in another step, the step under my left foot "popped" out and fell to the ground.  Luckily I was wearing my Tree Saddle and had the lineman's belt around the tree.  My heart was pounding pretty hard and I realized that had I not had my Saddle on I could have been another statistic.  The tree step was screwed all the way in and came out "ezy".  I have never had this happen before or even heard of it happening.  Just wanted to pass on a message that it can happen and always wear your safety harness up, in and down.

Thank's for sharing, I'm glad to hear you're o.k.

Thanks for the heads up! While I have never had that happen I have had 2 different ones break at the bend on me (right on the 90 degree bend)! They were both pretty old but I never leave them in the tree for long periods of time. Since the second one broke I now use an engraver and date mine after 3 years they get scrapped ans replaced.

I never trusted softwood trees back when I was using screw-in tree steps just for that reason.

PInes and cedars are a no-no for me if I'm going to use screw-in steps or climbing spurs, just too soft a wood for me to climb with any level of confidence. One of my best buds lost his father 6 years ago from a fall out of a pine tree while using spurs. A little bit of preventitve measures goes a long way.

Were they the fold up kind? if so I never liked them because they don't go in the tree far enough. The other kind that is a solid piece of rod has always held up for me, I screw them in on a slight angle point down and use a homemade tool to get them in good. I mostly just use them for hand hold to get in my stands now but at one time that is all I used.

Glad you're okay!

Life changes in a heart beat, glad you are ok.

...    ... Lesson Learned by all uf us!

Rapid Rails...rapid rails....rapid raillsssssssssssss

Glad you didnt get hurt. One thing to remember, if you insist on using steps, make sure to put them out of your "falling path" going back down the tree.

Why? if you fall by one of your steps you could get your rib cage or your crotch hung up on it on the way down- at 2000+ foot pounds of force heading back down the tree, you might get hung up in those steps and that could leave a mark!

Put em out to the sides if you insist on using them.

They were the fold up kind.  I usually use strap on steps and can see climbing sticks in my future.

I don't hunt out of treestands much at all anymore. When I do I have switched to using the stick type ladders only.

Good news that you were wearing proper safty gear.


III

Screw in steps are a BAD idea, in ANY tree...Been there, done that...lived...If I can't use a climber or sticks/ladder, I ain't hunting out of a tree, period. 1 piece, 2 piece, 3 piece, they all will either break or pull out...ALWAYS REMEMBER WHEN CLIMBING TO HAVE THREE POINTS OF CONTACT. Like Ray said, Screw in steps make for some nasty scars when you catch one on the way down. Be safe out there...

David

I was on a hunt where I guy nearly died, they had to bring in a a medivac helicopter. He had a screw in step pull out and caught the next one in his armpit, he nearly bled to death. This was on Fed. land where screw in steps were NOT legal.

I agree with the above comments...I cannot make myself climb using treesteps anymore. I've shared this before so I won't go into detail, but I had a step break several years ago. I managed to hold onto the step above, but swung into the tree and ripped open my scrotum and pulled out my left testicle. Bad day for sure! It is either ground blinds, ladder stands or climbing sticks for me now. Anytime you get off the ground there is potential for serious injury....Take Care! Mike

pine trees are a definate no no with steps I dont even like putting a climber on them . glad your not hurt thank God for that saftey harness .

Mike, you made me scrunch up!

I agree with Ray, "Rapid Rails". I will not use screw in steps ever again after having one pull out and the resulting fall causing me to catch my armpit on another step. I have a 7" scar where my surgeon said she "reattached" my arm.

I use screw in tree steps in aspen and pine never had a problem I weigh over 200lbs and yes I wear a saftey belt when installing steps and stands ps I have 12 stand sites and the only rule I use is lots of steps so you are not reaching far especilly right at the stand make sure you run steps higher than the platform of stand so you are stepping down to you stand not up s most accidents happem getting into and out of stands also clean any debri from base of tree if you happen to fall and dont break your neck falling on logs or branches is worse good luck and wear a saftey belt

Rick,was that Roger Walker, about 20 years ago on Blackbeard ?