screw in step question

[Jeremy K]

I have plans to set a couple new stands this year , do you guys have a set number of steps per so many feet high ? Im just trying to figure out how many steps i need to buy .

[ants]

Everyone is different. I know guys who use one every 4 feet. I use one about every 4 inches. LOL! Sad part is Im serious. Bad knee

[Zag]

My theory was the less steps I have the less chance one will rip my nuts off if I ever slip.

[Lawdwaz]

Approx 18" 

 

Don't skimp, when the weather gets cold and you have a pile of clothes on and heavy boots you'll be pleased and send my a thank you note/candy.

[ants]

My theory was the less steps I have the less chance one will rip my nuts off if I ever slip.

 

Years ago a friend of mine slipped, while climbing up, to his stand,  and ended up with 30 some odd stitches in his side. The screw in step ripped him all the way up. The scar is like a foot long. 

[Bone Seeker]

They don't do a tree much good either.

[phade]

To find your suitable distance, use the length from your elbow to the tip of you middle finger.

Youll find that to be comfortable and safe.

[Lawdwaz]

They don't do a tree much good either.

 

I'm sure you're correct but I can show you plenty of trees that have had them for 20-25 years, in & out each year and they appear to be plenty healthy.

[wooly]

Those gut hooks scare me! 

Have you considered a set of climbing sticks at all?

 

I climbed up in one of my stands last week where I only use steps where I don't have a branch. On my way up one of the steps I had my foot on spun out 90+ degrees and almost sent me for a ride.

I think the only place I'll be using steps anymore is above my stand to hang my gear from.

[Jeremy K]

When i was in my late teens and early 20s (when i was still invincible) i put myself through some hairy situations all in the name of getting into a tree stand , i figured using steps was the safe and mature thing to do.

[reeltime]

your right wooly on the best use for those steps.

 

everyone has their favorites,  I used to use steps and still have a couple hundred of them someplace. I have gone to all climbing sticks, yes they are more visible to the undesirables but imho they are far safer than steps. 

 

one thing I will speak from experience on,, do not use the one piece screw in steps, the ones that have 2 90*  bends in them with the auger bit machined onto the end.   Back when I was using steps I had several of them snap off right where the machining ended. they were screwed in tight to the tree so it wasnt a flexing issue. 

 

no matter what you decide to use just be safe.  as far as spacing, we always went with from your foot to your knee.

 

[Lawdwaz]

your right wooly on the best use for those steps.

 

everyone has their favorites,  I used to use steps and still have a couple hundred of them someplace. I have gone to all climbing sticks, yes they are more visible to the undesirables but imho they are far safer than steps. 

 

one thing I will speak from experience on,, do not use the one piece screw in steps, the ones that have 2 90*  bends in them with the auger bit machined onto the end.   Back when I was using steps I had several of them snap off right where the machining ended. they were screwed in tight to the tree so it wasnt a flexing issue. 

 

no matter what you decide to use just be safe.  as far as spacing, we always went with from your foot to your knee.

 

Don't for a second think your climbing sticks can't fail either.

 

 

 

[philoshop]

I've got at least a dozen of them, barely used. Free to a good home if you come pick them up.

Switched to lightweight climbing sticks about fifteen years ago and have never regretted it. Although bulkier and a little heavier than screw-ins, they're faster, safer and more versatile IMO.

 

Hitting one of those things with a chainsaw is a very unpleasant experience as well, so please don't leave them out there!

[Jeremy K]

I've got at least a dozen of them, barely used. Free to a good home if you come pick them up.

Switched to lightweight climbing sticks about fifteen years ago and have never regretted it. Although bulkier and a little heavier than screw-ins, they're faster, safer and more versatile IMO.

 

Hitting one of those things with a chainsaw is a very unpleasant experience as well, so please don't leave them out there!

 

Private land use , if they're still in the tree then so will the stand and that would just be rude to cut down a tree with a stand still in it.

 

[NYBuckHunter27]

Also many manufactures now sell a safe line to use while climbing!

[reeltime]

law,  while true the climbing sticks can also fail they are a lot less likely to fail than the screw in steps,  you also gain a lot more surface area for your foot with the sticks.

 

as far as leaving them in a tree, I have seen them left in a tree without a stand present, I would guess they were left because the person couldn't get them out.  I had one of the foldup style steps shear the pin when I tried taking itout of a maple tree once. it left the lag bolt in the tree, I came back with a small pipe wrench the next trip and removed the lag bolt,  I am sure not everyone would do that.

 

Just a friendly reminder on steps, they are OK if your on private land, they are illegal on public lands.

 

 

as with anything ymmv:-)

 

[Meat Manager]

The way I do it:

Climbing sticks leave 2 on the tree with each stand, have 1 really light portable stick that I keep with me at all times.

If I am in a public place with a lot of activity I only leave 1 with the stand and pack 2 in.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited May 12, 2014 by Meat Manager

[Five Seasons]

elbow to finger tip alternating every side. make sure you give yourself 1 or 2 above the stand to help you climb in. Depending on the size and age of the tree it's a good practice to back the step out a turn every season or so to prevent them from growing into the tree. Also, for some of our stands we remove the bottom few in the off season to ward off those interested in climbing and stealing. Place a twig in the holes to prevent the tree from healing in the hole.

[moog5050]

Do you guys drill before installing screw-ins?  I started a new set last year with the intention of screwing them in and hunting immediately after.  I was so sweated up by the time I was set  up, I probably spooked every deer in the square mile.  It was tough getting sufficient leverage to screw them  in (really just getting them started) while climbing.  Bad enough that I swore I will only use sticks going forward.  Sold most of the screw ins and bought two sets of 4 LW sticks. They were supposed to be good screw-ins too.

[Five Seasons]

Do you guys drill before installing screw-ins?  I started a new set last year with the intention of screwing them in and hunting immediately after.  I was so sweated up by the time I was set  up, I probably spooked every deer in the square mile.  It was tough getting sufficient leverage to screw them  in (really just getting them started) while climbing.  Bad enough that I swore I will only use sticks going forward.  Sold most of the screw ins and bought two sets of 4 LW sticks. They were supposed to be good screw-ins too.

 

i wouldn't do a stand/screw in step project before hunting. That's pre-season work for me. I'd just as well use a climber if I'm trying to sneak in and out. Again, I'd screw in and remove the bottom 2 or 3 if you're trying to keep hunters out. Shouldn't be too much work to screw in on arrival. We usually hide them under a rock near by.

[hunter49]

I've got at least a dozen of them, barely used. Free to a good home if you come pick them up.

Switched to lightweight climbing sticks about fifteen years ago and have never regretted it. Although bulkier and a little heavier than screw-ins, they're faster, safer and more versatile IMO.

 

Hitting one of those things with a chainsaw is a very unpleasant experience as well, so please don't leave them out there!

   Same here ladder sticks , faster, safer, ez to put up & move if need be.

[Jeremy K]

Ill look into climbing sticks as well ,seems like enough of you have switched from  steps to ladders .

[Five Seasons]

Ill look into climbing sticks as well ,seems like enough of you have switched from  steps to ladders .

 

sticks not ladders

 

if the tree is straight and you're not going very high they're where it's at. We have a few 30-45 footers where we start with sticks and finish with steps.

[philoshop]

I've spent most of my life climbing stuff, in construction and tree service work. Equipment failure is always a possibility, but using high-quality gear and maintaining it properly is how you minimize those chance occurrences. Being comfortable and proficient with the tools you're using is just as important though, whether you're 80' up holding a chainsaw or trying to pull an in-and-out quiet sneak attack on a nice buck in his bedding area.

Spend a half-day during the off-season just like it was opening day. Get into the woods before dawn with all your camo, weaponry, tree stand and climbing equipment, and go through it like it was for real. Go up and down a few times and take some practice shots while you're up there. You'll be amazed at the little issues that crop up, and you'll get a chance to take care of them before the big one gets a chance to laugh at you. It's a difficult enough game even when everything else goes right.

[Jeremy K]

sticks not ladders

if the tree is straight and you're not going very high they're where it's at. We have a few 30-45 footers where we start with sticks and finish with steps.

That's what I meant, listen to what I think, not what I say.