Climbing sticks/separate sections/screw in steps?

[nybuckboy]

What have you found to be the best, safest, easiest to install, etc and why? I have resisted anything but screw-in steps as I generally use ladder stands but have a few hang-ons including 2 M100 Millennium's hang-ons. I just bought 4 Gorilla, 3 step sections to use with one of the Millenniums.

[First-light]

I love the climbing sticks. I just tried the small ladder sections that individually strap to a tree  but wasn't impressed.

[Five Seasons]

long time screw in climber, but love the new sticks. screw ins for those stands needing a little more hiding (from humans) but sticks if you can swing them anywhere else. gets pricey when you're going 25-30

[G-Man]

I really like the separate small ladder section. Just be sure to get ones with clips on straps rather than sliding belt through a buckle. Gives much more versatility on crooked and Limby trees. For hangons .

[Vince1]

^{I like climbing sticks, climber tree stands freak me out.}

[carloracer1987]

Im a fan of the 4' climbing sticks. I love how light they are and so versitaile.  Used screw in steps once, and what a PITA they are. Plus alot of the land i hunt "cornell" does not allow screw in steps because they puncture the tree.

[gjs4]

What have you found to be the best, safest, easiest to install, etc and why? I have resisted anything but screw-in steps as I generally use ladder stands but have a few hang-ons including 2 M100 Millennium's hang-ons. I just bought 4 Gorilla, 3 step sections to use with one of the Millenniums.

I have an m100 i use with the newer ratchet strap attach (or my LWs) w LW sticks- simply the best and fastest IMO.

 

I use screw ins on a few crooked trunk sets but primarily leave my Mill. brackets on (trees trimmed out) with those sportsmansguide or Dicks ladder sections as I feel theyre much safer

[asav2013]

I'd like to eventually invest in the muddy hang on stand and sticks that there's only a rope stlye hook up pull it tight slip through 2 rubber stopers and step on em and it uses the angle of the rope to hold the steps tight, there preetyy cool check em out, I only hunt hang ons love em

[chiefbkt]

I have mostly the climbing sticks but like the separate climbing sections a little better. I can turn 3-4 sections into 20 feet of ladder. Plus if you have a tree that isn't perfectly straight, you can maneuver the sticks so it fits the tree better.

[Cabin Fever]

I use mostly climbing sticks with my hang on stands.

 

Whichever method you use, be smart (and SAFE), and also use a lifeline to stay secured from the time you leave the ground until you get back down. http://www.huntersafetysystem.com/lifeline/

[WNYBuckHunter]

Sticks unless theres a specific reason to use screw in steps. I havent tried the separate sections yet.

[virgil]

I've been using sticks for a couple of years and I think they're the greatest things going.  They're lightweight and packable and they give you the option to hang a few stands in the pre-season and decide which one to use on the fly.  They're quick, easy, and quiet to use. 

[phade]

I own or have owned all of the mentioned. They all have their place.

 

LW for mobile sets or for where entry/stealth is needed, or for carry in and carry out. Screw-ins for my web or high theft areas. Ladder sticks for straight trees and rapid rails for crooked ones that will have a stand staying in it.

 

 

[Five Seasons]

we still generally use screw ins for the last few steps so that you can "climb into" the stand easier. Also we've had to custom make some straps for those larger trunks where the strap does not fit all the way around. dicks usually has some good sales on the 20' sticks (4' sections).

[mbucks27]

i use the muddy sticks and like them a lot.  i also found this video on another site which shows you how to make a few more steps on the bottom stick so you can get to just about 20' with 4 steps. i tried it out and will be using this method this year to keep down on weight. i didnt take my stick apart to get the rope attatched i just took the loop at the top of the rope and wrapped it around the stick and through itself it that makes sense lol.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPU6UtQHNbc

 

John

[nybuckboy]

i use the muddy sticks and like them a lot.  i also found this video on another site which shows you how to make a few more steps on the bottom stick so you can get to just about 20' with 4 steps. i tried it out and will be using this method this year to keep down on weight. i didnt take my stick apart to get the rope attatched i just took the loop at the top of the rope and wrapped it around the stick and through itself it that makes sense lol.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPU6UtQHNbc

 

John

Excellent idea but to improve I would add a piece of gray 1" or 3/4" pvc about 6 inches long as the steps.

[Fantail]

I have taken to a 16' sticks with one extra seprate section not for added stand height but so I can 'step' into my stand instead of climbing into it. And that extra few steps can be off set if need be.

If your setting up a stand in a crap tree well screw in steps might be an option. But from a logging value viewpoint they can ruin the tree.

[WNYBuckHunter]

If you want to get to the full height of the sticks, use a couple of screw ins above the top of them for hand holds. That way, you can put the platform of your stand just below the top step of the sticks, and get your feet all the way to the top of the sticks and step down a little onto the platform. Thats what we typically do. I wish I had a picture of one of our sets, but heres a quick diagram that shows what we do.

 

[Fantail]

Anyone else ever rip the butt threads out of a good pair of pants on that one loooong sticks step? 

[WNYBuckHunter]

If you set the sticks up properly, there is no long step. I used to make the mistake of just throwing them together, and had that problem, but figured out I just wasnt putting them together right.

[Five Seasons]

If you want to get to the full height of the sticks, use a couple of screw ins above the top of them for hand holds. That way, you can put the platform of your stand just below the top step of the sticks, and get your feet all the way to the top of the sticks and step down a little onto the platform. Thats what we typically do. I wish I had a picture of one of our sets, but heres a quick diagram that shows what we do.

 

 

perfect illustration of what i was trying to say and exactly how we do ours