[Dukehunter3]

Thanks for all the comments. They were helpful to me.

Here's a question for those who have used the screw-in steps. If I want to put the hang on stand on the North side of the tree to hunt in that direction, what side would I place the steps? For instance, do I climb up the East side of the tree to step into the stand on the North?

I figure that I would straddle the tree with the steps. By that I mean, if I climb up the East side of the tree, my steps will be in the South and North side. Maybe not exactly but something like EES and EEN.

The thing you want to do is look at what direction your going to place your loc-on, then look at where your loc on latches at and climb the tree with that side near you,that way your not reaching around the tree to loc and unlock stand on tree. It can be done but this method makes it alot easier to hang and take down. Another thing that i do is take 1 climbing stick and of course use a safety belt and hang stick,this allows you to have both feet planted on stick and your hands are free to loc stand on tree and as other have said make sure you are stepping down on stand and if you have to put a extra step in so your loc on and stick strap are not rubbing on each other which could wear the strap on the climbing stick.but always step down on stand so you don t kick it out.

 

[Dukehunter3]

The thing you want to do is look at what direction your going to place your loc-on, then look at where your loc on latches at and climb the tree with that side near you,that way your not reaching around the tree to loc and unlock stand on tree. It can be done but this method makes it alot easier to hang and take down. Another thing that i do is take 1 climbing stick and of course use a safety belt and hang stick,this allows you to have both feet planted on stick and your hands are free to loc stand on tree and as other have said make sure you are stepping down on stand and if you have to put a extra step in so your loc on and stick strap are not rubbing on each other which could wear the strap on the climbing stick.but always step down on stand so you don t kick it out.

Another thing i forgot to mention is if you incounter any dead limbs on your climb up get rid of it,whether you break it off or saw it off. Its tempting to use it thinking it may be safe but could come back and bite you,just put a step in and get rid of it!

 

[1schmitzva]

I have at least 20 of those that I opened up the hole to accept SAE lag bolts. They worked great! Only thing was sometimes the bolts would fail after a few years exposed to freezing and thawing over and over.

 

[1schmitzva]

Do you know if and where they are available I've lost my last ones

 

[Pa-Plinker]

If the logs from these trees with steel parts from climbing steps embedded ever get to a sawmill, that steel can wreak havoc if hit by a blade.