tree steps, climbing sticks, etc...

[mooseman76]

Rod, that is my biggest fear.  I wear a size 13EE boot and it doesn't look like there is much room on those steps.  I did 90% of my hunting from the ground this year, in deadfalls, rock piles, etc...  I really liked it, but there is some spots where a treestand is just a better option...Mike

[La. bowhunter]

AMERISTEP RAPID RAILS I have tried lots of stuff and these are the best thing ever.  I weigh 285 lbs and have had no problems with them very safe, stable, and easy to use.

[paleFace]

Used screw in steps for-ever! this year I bought the sticks. about 25 minutes from start to finish with the screw in steps was as fast as I ever hung a stand. with the sticks I put up a stand two days ago in less than 10. for me the sticks are 100 times easier to install, take down or move.

[Dave Bulla]

Question, do they still make the aluminum rapid rails?  Mine are Ameristep but steel.  I believe I've heard they make both?  

As I said in my first post, I've been using these lately but they are a bit heavy.  Not too bad, but noticable.  I will add that they are VERY solid on the trunk.  I just wish the steps weren't so close together.  My natural step is about 1 1/2 the distance of the rapid rail steps but that's a small peeve at most.  My biggest gripe is having to leave them on the ground and going up to hang the second section, climbing back down to get the last section off the ground, going back up the tree, going back down to get the stand... sheesh!

I use the 3 rail sections and carry two of my Stepp Ladder tie on steps.  When I get the third rail hung, the stand goes about even or maybe a foot above that and then I tie on one step about seat hight and one about chest hight as I'm standing in the stand.  Those last two extra Stepps used as hand holds make a huge difference in my feeling of safety when going in and out of the stand I just don't like to go without them.

I'm a pretty big guy at 6' 2" and about 250# nekid and I feel real secure with either the Stepps or the Rails.  The lone wolf setup looks attractive for portability but those itty bitty steps that only stick out on one side of the stick just make me cringe.  I wonder if they could make double sided steps for them things?  they wouldn't have to rotate at all as they would already be available on both sides and I doubt it would add more than 2 or 3 ounces per step.

p.s.  RC, I'm glad you mentioned Warren Womack.  I was telling someone else about him using the gaffs and seeing him demo going from the ground to sitting in the tree stand in about 2 minutes but I couldn't remember his name.  Where's he been?  Don't believe I've seen him post in quite a while.

[Lost Arra]

>>, do they still make the aluminum rapid rails<<

Yes. I saw some at Bass Pro

The aluminum sets come with 4 rails.

http://www.ameristep.com/treestands/7100_rails.html

The steel sets come with 3 rails.

[SpikeMaster]

This year I used the Summit Bucksteps. Four of them weigh about 12 pounds and will get you up about 15 feet. They lock into the tree very solid and fast. What I like about them is you can stand with both feet at the same level, this is a big help for someone with arthritic knees like me. Also unlike screw-in steps or the LW steps they are rounded so it would be real hard to hurt yourself on them if you slipped.

[Orion]

Dave:  The steps on the LW tree sticks fold out to either side of the stick so they can easily be positioned alternately.  If you saw them all on one side of the stick, the person was using them incorrectly.

[fireflybow]

Dave,
In your picture your tree stand looks like an Ameristep 7300 stand. If it is make sure you have the newer brackets for the strap hook up instead of the jay hooks to lock it to the tree. I had one with the jay hooks and the hook broke. They had a recall on the stand and replaced it with stronger hooks. Jim

[Talondale]

I have retired my screw in steps.  I used to use Amacker folding steps and they were the easiest to start.  Even with a lineman belt setup the wear and tear on my shoulders and elbows started to show by the end of the season and as Rob mentioned it took about 20-30 minutes to setup (at 25').  I've now got two of the Gorilla rails and although they are steel and heavy I only use two and so the weight is not bad and I just hunt lower now (about 12').  With my old API Mag hangon the weight is lighter than even the LW (IMO).  The problem is they aren't as quiet as using steps were for me.  Haven't found a way to get them setup without making some kind of metal noise.  BTW, grey straps.

[Dave Bulla]

Orion,

I know that the LW steps rotate to either side.  I just wish they'd make a double sided step so you could at least try to stand with both feet at the same level or, if coming down in the dark you don't have to step down the first step with a certain foot or risk being our of sync with all the steps.

Fireflybow,

That stand is a Non Typical Patriot from the original makers of the Rapid Rails.  Since API and Ameristep seems to be buying every treestand company they can get their hands on and one of them now sells Rapid Rails, I don't know if they are making the stand now or just the rails.  The strap hooks are J type hooks but seem very solid and have never shown sign of straightening out.

By the way, I LOVE that stand.  It's the lightest hang on I've ever handled and still has a normal size platform.  I think it weighs about 6 pounds if I recall.

[Missouri CK]

Dave,

I saw that Rogers Sporting Goods in Liberty has the aluminum rapid rails for $79 bucks. Not sure if that is three or four but I'm planning on purchasing a set this winter.

Chris

[Dave Bulla]

Thanks Chris!  That's a great price even for three.

I got my steel rails at Dicks last winter for about $39 for three steel ones.

Also, I tried to google my Non-Typical treestand and sure enough, it's now owned by Ameristep, they don't make that model any more and there IS a voluntary recall.  Filled it out and submitted it.

Kinda bummed.  I figured on buying another one of the Patriot models but they don't even make it anymore.  Nothing even close as far as weight.

I swear, tree stands are getting to be like lawn mowers anymore.... All the good proven companies are getting bought up by the monster corporations making stuff overseas and just sticking the old name on an inferior foreign product.  Chaps my hide I tell ya!

[Dave Bulla]

Just rechecked the Ameristep website and their price for a set is $167.95 but it doesn't say if it's 3 or 4 sections.

[KSdan]

LW sticks. . . I do not need lineman's line to install. . . have never needed it.  I go up one time putting sticks as I go. . . last thing is to attach the stand and climb aboard.  I set up and take down every sit.  Quiet and less than 8 minutes and I am up.  3 sticks gets me 16 ft. to the stand.  4 sticks adds a few extra feet. I should mention I am 6'4", arms like a monkey and my first step is 3' off the ground.

My set up. . .

[Lost Arra]

$167.95 ????!!!!!!

For Rapid Rails??

I'd keep looking.

[paleFace]

just saw Wal-Mart has the Gorilla sections for $10.99 these have steps on both sides and look to be about 36".

[dadto2]

Dave can you still get the stepp ladder steps? If so where?

[Charlie Lamb]

I love the Rapid Rails. Have a set of the aluminum and picked up a 3 ladder steel set at WalMart this year for $50.

Here's a couple tips for making them quieter...
fill them with expandable foam first.
Then get rubber chair cups for the legs(crutch tips).

With a little care you can go up a tree very quietly.

I use the steel set close to the house and for prehanging stands where weight isn't a concern.
I keep the aluminum for hunts away from home where I might be packing all my gear in to hang and hunt.

[Charlie Lamb]

Should also add that I keep a single screw in step in my pack and will often use it for my first step which allows me to use just 3 sections and still get up around 12 feet.

[Dave Bulla]

Dadto2,

Contact Information
Jim Stepp     P.O. Box 860     South Casco, Maine 04077    Tel. 207 655 5105

The website has shown that it is undergoing "complete renovation" for at least two years....

My understanding was that Jim is quite the country bumpkin and barely has telephone service where he lives let alone internet.  At least that's what Dean Torges used to say I think.  I'd try giving him a call and see if he's still in business.