Red,
Just so you know, you can order a milwaukee 3/8 ship auger bit from home depot for like $12, and get a 3/8" collar for it to set the depth, which is 2-1/4" if memory serves.
That's if you're going to use a cordless drill. If you want a hand drill, which I definitely recommend to carry as a backup to the cordless, you can only get the EZkut one and it's not that cheap. You could make one too though.
The ebay bolt deals are great, I missed one a week or so ago that was so cheap for 50 bolts, it was like $18...I kicked myself. Not that I need 50 bolts, but....lol
If you don't want to wait, Home Depot has them for $1.67 each, check online for which stores have them in stock. Most stores don't carry many.
The only thing is, I can never find the internal hex socket cap screws (allen head) like what you get from Treehopper. The tree hopper ones are a little nicer on the feet because the end is rounded and they are just a smidge longer because of the head. I have about half treehopper bolts and half home depot bolts, so I always use the home depot bolts at the bottom of the tree so I don't have to stand on them as long (since most of the drilling is standing on the ground for the first 4-5 bolts or so).
The other thing I recently did was take some 3/8" rubber fuel line and slip it on four of my bolts for the top steps. Haven't had a chance to test it yet, but I think it will make standing on them for long periods of time a little more comfy. That could work with tree steps as well. Broadens what you stand on since the outside diameter is like 5/8", doesn't sound like much, but they already look more comfortable. lol
Not sure why it took me so long to think of that one. I was messing with wood blocks, bike pedals, etc...and finally thought why not just slip rubber hose over it. After I try this, I've also considered getting some 5/8 ID hose to slip over this hose. That would have an outside diameter of nearly an inch, so that would have to be comfortable.
Honestly I've yet to see a method better than bolts, I've started using the cordless for on the fly hunts. The beauty is nothing is left in the woods, once a spot is drilled, it's ready to go for the season, use it as many times as you want with virtually no effort. You do have to drill out spots each year though, but I find tree prep fun anyway and with a good cordless, you can fly up a tree in 5 minutes or less.
The ONLY drawback is you can't use them in places that don't allow you to screw/drill into trees. Then I could see using a rope climbing method, or sticks, aiders, etc....But aside from that, nothing beats bolts in my opinion. Tree steps are a close second, but cost of having enough for all your spots is the main deterrent for me, along with the fact that people can access your tree and also see where you're hunting. Bolt holes are very difficult to notice and leave people no way to climb up.
Honestly surprised it never caught on more than what it is...Part of me is glad though, otherwise everyone would carry bolts. lol