DIY Tree Steps

[ekul246]

Looking to see what you guys do for tree steps to get up to a hanging stand. I have the screw in steps that came with the tree stand from an HBC member but I'm wanting to do something like these https://www.wildedgeinc.com/store/p2/SteppLadder-_Set_of_8.html#/.

The screw in steps can be pretty sketchy in the dark, rain, etc.
I already have a harness and a lineman's rope and a safety line.

So, what do you guys do for your own homemade tree steps?

[BRvalley]

those steps look decent, pricey though

I prefer to use ladder stands for the most part, but I do have couple hanging stands and I just build a ladder out of pressure treated 2x4's which stays in the woods....is much easier on freezing cold toes coming down at the end of the day

[ghost]

i use strap on ladders and take the bottom section off. i doubt most people could get themselves up with the bottom removed . not diy but seem pretty good

[Bear Brawler]

I use the Tethrd Skeletor steps for saddle hunting. I either carry 3 and 2x 3 step aiders for the first two, or I carry all 4 no aiders. Still working on what I like best but like above, if I am returning to same tree next day I will remove the bottom one so noone can get up in em. I really only started saddle hunting last year and I do like it.

[J_T]

I stay consistent with my stands. Everything is compatible. FYI, I run about 8-10 stands. I use the screw in steps you can buy from Canadian Tire. You need between 15 and 20 steps per stand. More steps required than you realize around the stand, to hang things on, to grab hold of. Remember, climbing in, requires different hand holds than climbing out.

This is the difference with any ladder type configuration. No hand holds around the stand at the point of climbing in or out.

All of my stands are equipped with a piece of channel steel, that I can physically hang on a "T" I screw into the tree. With my harness and climbing belt to lean back on, this gives me hands free to secure the stand with two ratchet straps. The web wrap hanging stands can be dangerous. Man does not have the 3 arms required to safely secure the stand to the tree.

I have had some steps made. A bit more permanent. But my preference is the quick and easy steps you can buy. I paint all my steps a mix of brown, green, black to break up the colour. These steps/stand hang for a month or two before use, which usually removes any scent the equipment might have from my handling it.

Try to always have a large branch on one side for laying a piece of clothing on, or for leaning in to when you're a wee bit tired.

A bow hook in front and above (on a branch) for ease of grabbing without much movement and a couple hooks around the back of the tree for odds and ends.

[MRP]

Years ago I scored a 100+ 10”x 7/8” lag bolts. For my permit stands I predrill 3/4 hole 3” depth with cordless drill, insert lag bolt. Foot or hand will never slips off.

[J_T]

I stopped using lag bolts many years ago. While it seems like a good idea, there is some risk with them. They do bend with weight and I have seen a couple of hunters rip their clothing and their stomach from slipping on a bent lag bolt.

The standard screw in tree steps, can be screwed in and taken out without the use of additional tools. That makes them preferable to me. I'm not saying lag bolts aren't a good idea, only that in my experience, I stay away from them.

[MRP]

I stopped using lag bolts many years ago. While it seems like a good idea, there is some risk with them. They do bend with weight and I have seen a couple of hunters rip their clothing and their stomach from slipping on a bent lag bolt.

The standard screw in tree steps, can be screwed in and taken out without the use of additional tools. That makes them preferable to me. I'm not saying lag bolts aren't a good idea, only that in my experience, I stay away from them.

Yup size matters. That’s why I scooped these up no man on earth will bend 7/8”.

[HappyJack]

I've seen quite a few big spikes left in trees, old school I guess, when we had more trees to kill.

[Vortex hunter]

Those one piece tree stands decent ? Been looking at one at cabelas

[J_T]

Those one piece tree stands decent ? Been looking at one at cabelas Which model?

[Vortex hunter]

Which model?

Not sure mosely but it was a big one they had step up in the store , big seat and ladder on it was thinking of it

[ekul246]

Pulled the trigger on a three pack of Hawk Aluminum Climbing steps. 30” tall and 2.9lbs each 55% off on camofire.

[high horse Hal]

DIY didn't work out?
those steps make a nice system, though not so compact or theft proof

[ekul246]

DIY didn't work out?
those steps make a nice system, though not so compact or theft proof
DIY isn’t out of the picture. I would have liked to buy the metal steps from Wildedge and then rigged them myself using rope to make a ladder like my friend has. Did find some brackets at the dollar store that could work for DIY tree steps, if they’ll hold any amount of weight.
The deal was just too good to pass up. They’re light, which will make packing them in easy. might try and rig a rope ladder to Hawks to extend the reach too. We’ll see.

[rogerb]

really wanted to like the wildedge type step system for mobile whitetail hunting but found them problematic on the thick barked trees we usually hunt out of - fir, larch & bull pine. on hardwoods & younger trees they seemed to hold well but they really dig into the thick spongy bark of the bigger trees & can loosen as they work themselves ever deeper under the stress of your weight. just my experience for what its worth.
the hawk helium sticks you just bought are superb. we use both the long & shorter versions & like them both a lot. numerous manufacturers make similar sticks & probably any of them would work very well. some are even lighter than the heliums. the hawk sticks though are very cost effective.
depending on the tree, I use 3 or 4 sticks usually with a single step aider at the bottom of first one or two sticks. the aider is just a black diamond climbing runner looped over the standoff of the stick. adds another foot or bit more to each step. the runners are inexpensive & very strong. we carry a spare with us in case you drop one on the way up. of course, you can also girth hitch a runner onto each step so they don't go missing in action. quality tubular webbing works well too.
I used to try to get as much height as I could to avoid getting picked but with age & experience I now concentrate more on picking the right tree with good back/side cover & then height isn't so critical. the ability to move & setup on just the right tree for the day is a game changer for sure. got sick of moving tree ladders & stands that weren't quite in the right spot. now its mostly sticks & a tree saddle (or lightweight aluminum stand) & let the sign tell you where to set up that particular day. next day or week might well be somewhere completely different. the first sit in a spot is usually the best anyways especially if there are a bunch of nosey does in the neighborhood...they don't miss much & are quick to adapt, the bucks then follow the does. being mobile lets you keep a step ahead - theoretically at least!