Strap-on tree steps

[David Petersen]

#7300

I need some (6-12) strap-on tree steps and can’t find any via the usual mail-order suppliers. If you have any used to sell or trade, please drop me a PM. If you know where I can buy some without getting ripped-off, please clue me in.

And while on that topic, I’ve only talked to one person who has used them, and he likes them a lot for convenience and a good solid step. I’d like to avoid the considerable labor of screwing steps into trees, and also don’t like damaging trees by drilling multiple openings into their hearts for insects, etc. to get into. If you’ve used strap-on steps, what’s your opinion, pros and cons? My late-life learning about tree stands continues …

Thanks, dave

[David Coulter]

#60279

Hi Dave,

I bought a set used a few years back and have yet to use them. The dang things are cumbersome. I have not gotten rid of them as I might be setting up on state land some time and need them. I used the screw in steps and when I return to a tree I usually have a hard time finding the holes. The holes are not really drilled out, but sort of forced apart, so they seal up pretty well. I photographed a state forester one time who was measuring champion trees in our area. He drilled a core sample of an ancient oak and I asked him about leaving the tree vulnerable to insects or disease. He said the tree heals itself quite well and if you look closely, you’ll see plenty of places for bugs to get in if they want to. A lot of bugs apparently only go after dead wood anyway, which is why you don’t see a lot of local politicians in the woods around here!!

Anyway, ramble cut off time. 3Rives has some nice strap on steps. They cost plenty, but it’s like most things I’m sure… good luck, dwcphoto

[David Petersen]

#60348

Thanks, David. I checked 3Rivers online and couldn’t find any such. In fact I did a google search and lots of places claimed to have them but did not when I checked the sites. No biggie. If they’re too expensive and/or heavy/bulky I won’t get them anyhow. And no need for them until next fall. Maybe some used ones will show up; I’ve got an ad in the classifieds here. I just figured I could put up and take down a stand much faster with strap-ons. Thanks, Dave

[Clay Hayes]

#60361

I used to have a few but I don’t know where they ended up. I used them a bit if I needed an extra step or two, but I’d think they’d be pretty difficult to set up for climbing much more than that. The ones I had used a hollow poly rope that came was threaded back through itself and cinched down like a finger trap (if that makes any sense). Anyway, hanging on the side of a tree 12′ up and trying to hook a strap around the trunk and hooked back to the step takes some dextarity, and a few choice words.

[David Coulter]

#60379

Dave,

I saw the lone wolf and gorillas on 3River. Look under tree stands, then accessories. http://www.3riversarchery.com/Treestands+Blinds+Treestand+Accessories++Lone+Wolf+Tree+Climbing+Sticks_c60_s176_p0_i5505X_product.html

Flexible use of the language has always been one of my best allies… dwc

[Troy Breeding]

#60390

Dave,

One handy tip for installing the strap-on steps or any type climbing aid. Use a climbing belt. I have one of the safty harness that has side loops on the waist band. I take the safty rope and use it like a linemans belt. This way you have both hands free and can’t fall. My rope has a “BIG” snap on one end for quick attach and detatch if I need to move the line over a limbs or anything.

Troy

[David Coulter]

#60891

Troy,

That makes perfect sense. I have a couple of those straps, so I’ll look for a large clip that’s easy to handle with gloves on. Thanks for the tip. dwcphoto

[Stephen Graf]

#60958

I use “rapid rails”. It’s a strap on ladder section kind of thing. It comes in a set of 4, which can get you up well past 20 ft. They can be had from the dread cabellas. I think they are made by ameristep.

There are several makers. But the ones I got are made from aluminum. Aluminum is lighter and lasts longer without corrosion.

After buying the first set, I sold all my screw in steps and bought 2 more sets of rapid rails.

As mentioned, they come in a set of 4 units. I only use 3 units per stand, so after buying 3 sets, I had an extra set for free – so to speak.

I have been using them for at least 4 seasons. I find them very easy to install, and very safe as compared to open steps. And of course no screws into trees.

It can damage the surface bark some though as it locks in. But it’s pretty superficial damage.

[Jason Wesbrock]

#61182

I bought a bunch of strap-on steps many years ago to use on a public land hunt. I gave them away at the end of the season and bought a set of portable climbing sticks.

[David Petersen]

#61184

Thanks for all the good tips, friends. Steve, I like the looks of these rails and found another brand for $50 a set at a non-C-word outlet. If I “win” the tree stand I’m bidding on at e-bay, I’ll buy the rails. Next will be some sort of affordable effective safety harness system, since it appears I have torn a rotator cuff from my recent attempt to fly from a tree, and may need shoulder surgery, which could keep me in a sling until turkey season. But maybe it won’t be that bad. I’ll find out with an MRI next week. Dave

[Troy Breeding]

#61314

In a sling till “T” season. Trust me, you will most likely only see a sling for a couple days. If your Dr. is worth his wheaties you will go from sugery to rehab in less than 72 hours. Once in rehab do what they tell you. Do like I did and tell them you are going to set a recovery record. I did everything they had me do while in rehab an additional two times a day at home. Dr. was really suprised to see that I was able to recover so fast.

Troy

[Fallguy]

#61587

Dave did you check Gander Mountain they carry Gorilla sticks and usually they sell for 10.00 a stick. I use 3 to get to 12 to 14 feet.

[David Petersen]

#61610

Hold it — I’m supposed to take tree-climbing advice from a fellow named “Fallguy”? Ho! 😛 Seriously, thanks for the tip. I may be on to a deal on some like-new strap-on steps, but if that fails I’ll likely go another route and I’ll be sure to check Gander Mtn. which is not normally on my list. Thanks, Dave (aka Treetop Flier).

[Stephen Graf]

#62061

David Petersen wrote: … Next will be some sort of affordable effective safety harness system, since it appears I have torn a rotator cuff from my recent attempt to fly from a tree, and may need shoulder surgery…

Fall from a tree, crack your ars and shoulder, climb back up and shoot a deer with a bow. Your scary.

Your new stand should come with a pretty decent harness. A 5 point harness is shipped with every stand. That’s part of the deal of being a member of the tree stand association.

If your stand doesn’t come with the harness, then you will have to buy one. they can get pretty expensive. The “deal” you get will then not be much of a deal.

The good thing about buying a lot of tree stands is that you end up with a lot of good harnesses. I have given a few away, but I may still have a decent one laying around. I will look for it.

A good harness is defined as a 5 point harness with the lineman harness option built in. The lineman harness allows you to be strapped to the tree while you affix your stand.

Another good piece of equipment is a strap on hook that allows you to hang your stand on it while you get it strapped to the tree. This will greatly reduce the stress on your body and mind as you perform this most hazardous step.

[Fallguy]

#63164

[quote=David Petersen]Hold it — I’m supposed to take tree-climbing advice from a fellow named “Fallguy”? Ho! 😛

I would be suspicious to Dave. I did fall from a tree 16 years ago. I had a single step strap on style twist on me and it slipped into the deep furrow of the bark on an old oak tree. My foot came off and I fell 6′ did a pogo stick landing and shattered my right ankle. 8 screws and a plate to put it back together and 6 months in casts and braces to heal. I can walk now with no aids, my orthopedic surgeon is still amazed. So I have been the designated tree stand safety guy for our bow hunter ed group. Since then it has been a full body harness and a safety line of some type anytime I climb into or set a stand. I can be done it just takes a little time. Time I guess I spent riding the recliner in a cast.:?

[SteveMcD]

#63286

Dave.. I tried them and have to agree with DWCPHOTO. They can be cumbersome to the point of being UNSAFE. Which I believe is why AmeriStep and other manufacturers are not making them anymore.

Also since they tend to be strap on or rope on you cannot leave them out long otherwise they will wear and rot.

I attempted to try the strap ones a year after my climbing treestand platform collapsed on me 12 ft up!

Needless to say.. I stuck to the ground ever since. I prefer the ground anyway.

[David Petersen]

#63469

Steve, brother I’m with you on preferring the ground! With elk and mule deer and the right habitat conditions, it’s entirely doable and that’s how I’ve always done it. But I’m just getting back into whitetails, and since we don’t have them here, it means expensive travel and a limited time to hunt, more often than not on public land, so tree stands seem all but mandatory. If I had my own private whitetail patch I would construct brush blinds all over the place so that I could deal with shifting wind patterns. But that ain’t likely to happen unless someone here has a near-giveaway whitey hotspot they want trade for books 😛 And too, being new to tree stands, I’m enjoying the enhanced visibility you get up there and the greatly increased freedom to be — let’s face it — relaxed with lots more room for movement compared to on the ground. So I’ll likely keep at it, once or twice a year, but with a far greater respect for gravity henceforth. Dave (aka Treetop Flier)

[SteveMcD]

#63598

Hi, Dave.. Go for it! I don’t look down my nose on treestands. Hunted from them when we had to make our own, lugging 2×4’s and plywood into the woods. They are a definite advantage, especially with limited time and choices. I once was… trained as an army ranger. Now I have vertigo to deal with. But I strongly agree on the attachable climbing sticks or sectional ladders vs tree steps. They are by far SAFER. SAFETY first! Never sacrafice safety for economy, get the best you can afford.

[WICanner]

#63777

I have a set of Deer Me Rope Steps. I think that they were the best made, but unfortunately, seem to be no longer made. If you run into a set of these, grab them. To cinch tight, the poly rope is run through itself so that weight applied to the step cinches it tight. The rubber coating keeps them quiet in the pack, and the rope can be wrapped around the step during transport. Light weight, low impact on the trees, easy to carry. I wish that they still made these. Perhaps a local metal shop can make a set up for you?

I’ll see if I can send you the picture so as not to infringe on a copyright. It is out of an old magazine article.

[sagebrush]

#17573

Hi Dave, Another thing I do when in a tree stand is read books. I find a good paper back to carry with me. It makes the long spells with no action go faster. I always wondered if the strap on steps were safe as in how well do they hold. Gary

[David Petersen]

#18105

Gary — I’ll soon find out about the strap-on steps’ reliability and safety, as I’m slowly assembling a collection of used ones. From comments on this thread, personal notes, and general lack of their availability new, it would seem that they didn’t prove popular, for various reasons, and have largely faded away. One complaint is that they are not stable side to side and thus “wobbly.” From the ones I have so far it seems this is a problem of design, as they have a sort of bar at the bottom, whereas spikes, a toothy pattern, would make them more stable side to side. So I have some custom grinding to do. And my thanks to all who have contributed opinions, info and in a few cases, steps.

So far as reading on stand, for me boredom has never ever been a problem. Maybe because I mostly hunt in the woods where you can’t see very far so you have to be constantly on high alert, hunting largely by intense listening for sounds that could indicate approaching game. And there’s always something interesting going on out there with nongame species and birds. To me it’s like watching a slow-paced but spellbinding movie. And too, I wear magnifying glasses to read and would have to put the book down, take off the glasses, and pick up my bow, etc., when I frequently have only a split-second’s warning of approaching game. I can see circumstances where reading would not be a distraction from hunting, but that’s not the case with me. Though heaven knows I need and crave to spend more time reading. Lots of ways to enjoy the experience out there. Thanks, Dave

[Chad Sivertsen]

#18181

I’ve spent quite a bit of time in trees over the years. I started climbing trees and waiting for deer in the late ’60s sometimes on a convenient limb or a homemade “treestand” contraption that were questionable from a safety standpoint. No belts or harnesses in those days and learned a few things such as Formica is slippery as a treestand.

To the question, I have not had experience with strap-on steps but have thought about using them for stands that are a long hike from the road. It seems as Dave said they are not popular and there is a reason for that I assume. I used screw in steps for years and they work fine but take considerable effort to install in some trees while hanging on with one arm, and being in your mid 60s does not make it any easier. A few years ago I bought a set of aluminum Rapid Rails and like Steve I’m happy with them. I later bought two more sets but they were steel and a bit heavier. Also like Steve I use only three as most of my stands are 12’-15’ high. Once in a while, depending on the tree, I use a screw in step for an extra hand hold or to hang something on. IMO the rails have two disadvantages; they are bulky to carry a long distance in heavy cover and can be too visible in the woods. I’m not worried about deer seeing them as they don’t care but on public land low life thieves could see them. I know folks that use the climbing sticks and like them. I think they would be easier to hide.

Interesting that some hunters can read while on stand, I can’t do it. 3 words at a time is all I can do. I prefer to watch the natural world around me, usually something to watch even if it is ants or bees. The woods are generally thick in this area and it is common for deer to appear in bow range if you are not paying serious attention. Like Dave I hope to hear them first and position myself for the shot before they get too close.

If the strap-on steps do not work well I think the climbing sticks might be the next best thing. You could take the bottom section down and hide it in the brush if thieves are a concern.

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