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Ameristep the best option?

G

gmeadows03

New Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2015
Messages
28
Location
Dallas, NC
I think I've pretty much read through every topic trying to find the best option for a mobile platform. However, they seem to be hard to find. I found this site after looking for reviews on climb paws. I currently use screw ins but would like to get away from that. How does one go about finding the diamond in the rough Ameristep?


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huck72412 said:
Pm sent
Click to expand...


huck72412 I am new and still not able to respond to PMs. To answer your question, however many it would take to make a decent platform. From the looks of what others do, 4-6 is seems to be right. I'm sure I could start with less if needed.
 
For what it is worth, there are other options that exist although they may not be as good as the one that you are looking for.
On my last hunt I used a pair of wooden blocks (search the archives here for pics). They are basically triangular pieces of plywood glued together with a slit in them to accept a 1" webbing strap and cam lock, a similar (cheap) lone wolf style strap.

I only used 2 blocks on one strap. The middle step is the top rung of my LW sticks. In other words, I use 3 total steps at my hunting height. One of my feet is always on top of my top LW step, the other foot rests on one of these wooden blocks. Works for me.

Keep in mind that these will not be as tight as a ratchet strap but it appeared to work good enough. The blocks do have the potential to move around slightly, but I try not to jump around and dance on them while I am in a tree. The worst thing that can happen is one will shift enough to cause me to rely more on the LW stick - and I am still tethered to the tree with my lead line in case of a 'fall'.
 
I've tried Stepp Ladders, API Aluminum steps, Climb paws and Ameristeps.

Right now I'm using 4 Ameristeps on a strap with an Over the Center Buckle. I also made a custom top dual step for my Lone Wolf sticks. I use that as the center step and put two Ameristeps on either side of the center step. This is the best system I've developed so far. I'm even considering moving to 2 Ameristeps instead of 4.
 
g2outdoors said:
Right now I'm using 4 Ameristeps on a strap with an Over the Center Buckle.
Click to expand...

What is this "Over the Center Buckle"? I have seen that here before but don't know what it refers to.

Anyone have a good pic or explanation?
 
Maustypsu said:
g2outdoors said:
Right now I'm using 4 Ameristeps on a strap with an Over the Center Buckle.
Click to expand...

What is this "Over the Center Buckle"? I have seen that here before but don't know what it refers to.

Anyone have a good pic or explanation?
Click to expand...

This is a good thread that goes over it very well.

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=683
 
Thanks. I read thru that. Seemed like a lot of good chatter.

Problem is I did not understand it from the beginning. How is it better than the normal Ameristep strap? And what problem are we trying to solve with it?

Is it used in conjunction with the other strap or just replacing it?

Yep, I'm that remedial...
 
The very best mobile step I have found that if applied properly is the Jim Stepp with a rope modification. I basically put the same rope on it as I do my helium sticks. It is harder to get the knot loose but if you set it properly they don't shift near as much as the strap on steps. I wish I was a welder because I would like to try a Stepp modified to four points of contacts (anyone want to make me one? ) :)

Having said that, I still use the boat buck strap with 2-4 steps along with my Jim Stepp most of the time. I tried standing on sticks but they made noise. Screw in steps are obviously the best - but I cannot use them. I tried the PVC, wood blocks and etc.... and for the trees I hunt they just were not up to my stability and noise standards. This is all just my personal observations - everyone may come to different conclusions.
 
Maustypsu said:
Thanks. I read thru that. Seemed like a lot of good chatter.

Problem is I did not understand it from the beginning. How is it better than the normal Ameristep strap? And what problem are we trying to solve with it?

Is it used in conjunction with the other strap or just replacing it?

Yep, I'm that remedial...
Click to expand...

Replace the Ameristep cam buckle with an over center buckle. The cam buckle cannot get tight enough and the steps sag and sometimes even slide down the tree. The sag and slippage can be remedied with a single screwin step where legal.



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Good input! I currently use a Muddy stick as my main platform with a screw in on each side. It works for me, but I want to get away from screw ins. I have looked in to every style mentioned so far and see pros and cons for each. The Ameristep with an improved strap seems to be what I would like the most, if I can find them. I want to alter my climbing setup, by adding an etrier to my sticks. I also want to change up my tree strap that came with the GW to improve my mobility around the tree.
 
Thanks, Drew. I get it now. I will go re-read that again with this in mind.
Someone said something about using them both together. That threw me off.
 
Re: RE: Re: Ameristep the best option?

gmeadows03 said:
Good input! I currently use a Muddy stick as my main platform with a screw in on each side. It works for me, but I want to get away from screw ins. I have looked in to every style mentioned so far and see pros and cons for each. The Ameristep with an improved strap seems to be what I would like the most, if I can find them. I want to alter my climbing setup, by adding an etrier to my sticks. I also want to change up my tree strap that came with the GW to improve my mobility around the tree.
Click to expand...
I just added etriers to my lone wolf sticks. I love it!

http://www.saddlehunter.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=848
 
g2outdoors said:
gmeadows03 said:
Good input! I currently use a Muddy stick as my main platform with a screw in on each side. It works for me, but I want to get away from screw ins. I have looked in to every style mentioned so far and see pros and cons for each. The Ameristep with an improved strap seems to be what I would like the most, if I can find them. I want to alter my climbing setup, by adding an etrier to my sticks. I also want to change up my tree strap that came with the GW to improve my mobility around the tree.
Click to expand...
I just added etriers to my lone wolf sticks. I love it!

http://www.saddlehunter.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=848
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'll give them a look tonight when I get home! They would work well with my Muddy sticks.


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drew13 said:
Btw - you can tie your own aiders with rope or webbing very easily. Here's a good video:
Click to expand...

That's true. I tied several two step etriers to hang off my Stepp Ladders. My home made ones didn't work nearly as well as the ones I bought from CMI.
 
That's the exact one I'm using and it works PERFECTLY. I'm about 5'6" and I can get the top of my first stick 7 feet from the ground. It's a substantial height addition to traditional sticks.
 
g2outdoors said:
That's the exact one I'm using and it works PERFECTLY. I'm about 5'6" and I can get the top of my first stick 7 feet from the ground. It's a substantial height addition to traditional sticks.
Click to expand...

Well, whether you were intending on being a salesman for them or not, it worked. I just ordered one to try out.
 
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