Screw in steps or climbing sticks?

[Powerstroke]

So lets say you buy 3-32" sections. Costs you $45. If you place the first section 18" off the ground and 18" between sections, that 12.5' up if your stand is at the height of your top section. Since its probably higher we can round to 14'.

How many steps does it take to get to 14'? if you put one at every foot its $42. Every 18" its $33. Your peg is the diameter of a pinkie finger and its round. You have to screw it in by hand or bring an extra tool along (more weight) and that all takes time. A ladder section had one or maybe two ratchet straps...the same way you hang a stand. Seems simple and fast. And who says screw-ins are quieter. Ever try to carry 10 metal pegs in a bag? Is it easier to protect 4 sticks from clanging or 10 pegs?

Unless you're hanging the stand before the season, weight and time aren't an issue and you don't mind climbing on metal twigs I would buy sticks. Fast, easy, still affordable, ohyeah...and SAFER!!

[JeffB]

What works best for me is a little of both. I use the screw in pegs for what I can reach standing on the ground then I use the strap on section.

[BucksnDucks]

Im lucky if it takes me 8 steps to get 20ft. up max! Sum of us are not as vertically challenged as others I guess. Im not a toddler taking baby steps up the tree, usually I place a step at my waist level from where im standing, but then again I must be more limber and flexable than others, so thats what works for me. As far as it goes for packing in a wad of sticks versus a handle full of sticks, all I do to keep my steps from clanging around is wrap a rubber band around em, keeps em nice n tight and most importantly quiet! I agree it can be hard to screw certain steps into hardwoods such as oak, which have many branches to grab onto, but I usually find myself up sitn in poplar which is a super easy wood to spin a step in less than a minute.

[luckey]

I don't know if we can say it here but a certain large box home improvment/building store starting with Men.... has 4 sections (16 feet) on sale for around $34.00. looks like a good deal.

[bigbucks]

I bought those on sale at said store a couple of weeks ago for $29 something. You had to put in 4 bolts to assemble them, they work great. I didn't realize there was any assembly & went to put them up the first time with no wrench or pliers even in the truck. They got put up on the second trip...

[Ebiz]

Quote:

Im lucky if it takes me 8 steps to get 20ft. up max! Sum of us are not as vertically challenged as others I guess. Im not a toddler taking baby steps up the tree, usually I place a step at my waist level from where im standing, but then again I must be more limber and flexable than others, so thats what works for me.

Congratulations, let us know how is goes when one of those pegs let's go when you're 16' up. Not to knock what works for you but with the sticks that are available today I would think they're much safer for the average/new hunter who's inquiring about what to buy. That and I've never heard of anyone getting gutted by climbing sticks when they slip going up the tree.

[Powerstroke]

I also stretch my sticks out and get well over 20ft with my steps/sticks.

I use summit bucksteps and they are great.

[bigbucks]

When I read that post I thought man you must never wear heavy clothes. I can put my steps 4' apart if I want & climb right up them in jeans & hiking boots or tennis shoes. Lots of stands I've climbed into all bow season until pushing November 1st & it's cold & I've got everything but the kitchen sink on for clothes & I can't lift my leg much over 18" to the next step. Those clothes just don't give that much.