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Platforms vs. steps

huck72412 said:
I have 0 experience with a platform so my opinion there is not valid. However, even if using a platform is awesome I cannot imagine not having ameristeps on a strap. They go with a saddle as well as peanut butter goes with jelly !!!!!
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Boudreaux said:
Its like the old "single pin vs multi pin sight" question. They will both work, just depends on your style and what your looking for. For me, a platform has no place in saddle hunting. Ive had tried it and seen no advantage, quickly went back to steps. My style works great with steps, good spacing of steps makes things so much easier.
I think if you have a shorter tether and bridge a platform works well, longer tether and bridge steps work better. There is a reason that ameristeps are hard to find and expensive when you do find them. As Huck said "They go with a saddle as well as peanut butter goes with jelly !!!!!"

Thanks,
Boswell
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I'm with these guys.
 
Jefferson10940 said:
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You fellas do not have any issues with them sliding left or right? Or do you have them sewn in?
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You need to have the strap cranked down tight on the tree and then step on each one so that it settles into position. Mine might tilt a little when I step on them but it is not an issue. If you have a tree that has big gaps in the bark it will be harder to get them tight where they don't move.
 
I'm new to all of this and I don't have a thing yet, want to decide what I'm gonna get before spending a bunch of cash. I think I'll probably use the Stepp Ladder system just get a few extra stepp's for a platform, figure 3 or 4 to go all the way around a tree. What do you guys think?

https://www.wildedgeinc.com/store/p4/SteppLadder-_Set_of_12_STEPPS.html

They seem kind of expensive to me :(
 
donnieballgame said:
I'm new to all of this and I don't have a thing yet, want to decide what I'm gonna get before spending a bunch of cash. I think I'll probably use the Stepp Ladder system just get a few extra stepp's for a platform, figure 3 or 4 to go all the way around a tree. What do you guys think?

https://www.wildedgeinc.com/store/p4/SteppLadder-_Set_of_12_STEPPS.html

They seem kind of expensive to me :(
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The thing that you have to remember about a mobile saddle system is that it is (or can be at least lol) a one time purchase. You purchase your saddle and whatever climbing method you want to use, and you can use that as long as the equipment is safe and hunt pretty much any tree.

The cost in the end is similar to a high end climber, but with a climber you are very limited to straight branchless trees.

If you were to try to buy enough tree stands to hunt as many trees as you can in a saddle you would spend a ton of money.

It is an initial investment that pays off down the road, and it also retains a high resale value.
 
donnieballgame said:
I'm new to all of this and I don't have a thing yet, want to decide what I'm gonna get before spending a bunch of cash. I think I'll probably use the Stepp Ladder system just get a few extra stepp's for a platform, figure 3 or 4 to go all the way around a tree. What do you guys think?

https://www.wildedgeinc.com/store/p4/SteppLadder-_Set_of_12_STEPPS.html

They seem kind of expensive to me :(
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This system is not new, the Jim Stepp's have been around for a long while. So to me, knowing that they have been around a while and that very few people use them as a platform should tell you something. I don't like them for the simple reason that it is difficult to get them all on the same level. They kinda have to be staggered as you go around the tree, that's why I cut the rope off some and welded a chain link in the bend so I can put them on a ratchet strap, so they are level all the way around the tree. I like the idea of multiple small platforms compared to one large platform. I am just not a fan of the rope design.
As for a ladder I don't like them because I don't want to have to put 10 ropes around the tree to only get 20 ft, I can put 4 muddy sticks in a fraction of the time and get the same height for the same weight.
I bought a set back in 2009 and outside of the 4 modified one, I don't use them anymore.

Thanks,
Boswell
 
Boudreaux said:
This system is not new, the Jim Stepp's have been around for a long while. So to me, knowing that they have been around a while and that very few people use them as a platform should tell you something. I don't like them for the simple reason that it is difficult to get them all on the same level. They kinda have to be staggered as you go around the tree, that's why I cut the rope off some and welded a chain link in the bend so I can put them on a ratchet strap, so they are level all the way around the tree. I like the idea of multiple small platforms compared to one large platform. I am just not a fan of the rope design.
As for a ladder I don't like them because I don't want to have to put 10 ropes around the tree to only get 20 ft, I can put 4 muddy sticks in a fraction of the time and get the same height for the same weight.
I bought a set back in 2009 and outside of the 4 modified one, I don't use them anymore.

Thanks,
Boswell
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Do you have a picture of the modification


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Boudreaux said:
here ya go
View attachment 2206
Thanks,
Boswell
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Thanks for the picture. What percentage of your sits do you use this platform? That will tell use how well you like it. Where does it work best? How many do you put on a strap?

I agree with you that sticks make more sense to me. But the step with an aider helps to make it better but still not as good as Sticks with aiders which are faster and easier to get higher and easier to keep quiet.

Thanks


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Ontariofarmer said:
What percentage of your sits do you use this platform? That will tell use how well you like it. Where does it work best? How many do you put on a strap?
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Use it less than 2% of my sits. I only use it on pre set trees, it is not a mobile set up. Since I do not like hunting the same tree twice, I don't use it often. I will use as many steps as it takes to go around the tree, typically 3-4.

Thanks,
Boswell
 
Boudreaux said:
Use it less than 2% of my sits. I only use it on pre set trees, it is not a mobile set up. Since I do not like hunting the same tree twice, I don't use it often. I will use as many steps as it takes to go around the tree, typically 3-4.

Thanks,
Boswell
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So what do you use most of the time. I know in earlier posts you said you like the muddy sticks for all the reason I like them. Only draw back to a muddy stick is that it is slightly heavier than some other sticks.

Just wondering what you like for a mobile platform since you have used a saddle for much longer than me. Ameristep strap on steps?
 
Ontariofarmer said:
So what do you use most of the time. I know in earlier posts you said you like the muddy sticks for all the reason I like them. Only draw back to a muddy stick is that it is slightly heavier than some other sticks.

Just wondering what you like for a mobile platform since you have used a saddle for much longer than me. Ameristep strap on steps?
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My recommendation is Ameristep, I am lucky enough to have some prototypes from ODIN that I have been using the past few seasons. The problem is they are in licensing negoations and can't sell or produce in the mean time. So all of that is on hold for now. I am a smaller guy so I have no problems with steps shifting or slipping down the tree.
I am a huge fan of multiple steps around a tree compared to a single platform. Platform with steps works ok to me. The more ability you have to move your feet to get into position the better form you can get and be more accurate. One benefit of a saddle is being able to move around the tree to get into position, a single platform restricts that.

Thanks,
Boswell
 
Haven't pulled the trigger on a platform yet. It's typically ameristeps on a strap for me but I will always have 5 cranford t-steps nearby. They are king in the screw-in step world!!
 
For us older, more filled out (aka FAT) hunters - steps are just painful.

IMHO - After having used Ameristeps for decades I can say that they have cost me some great bucks because they chose to "re-adjust" at the moment of truth and I had to move my weight to another step due to a buck changing course. The platform (which is only 3 points heavier then a ratchet strap and 6-8 steps) is far more comfortable and it allows me to easily adjust if a buck doesn't do exactly what I think he will. I seldom hunt in trees that I cannot make it work and I usually am in trees that allows me total 360 shooting around the tree and more importantly directly behind me. Try moving around a tree or crossing your feet over with a buck 30 yards directly behind you. Now perhaps some hunt in areas where that never happens, or hunt at nose bleed heights to allow movement.... but I have had far too many bucks come in unannounced (I tend to be in really thick bedding areas) and I missed a shot opportunity because I could not get into position. It can still happen in a platform - but it hasn't yet. If I had my choice I would rather use Jim Stepps or screw in over using Ameristeps on a strap - they only real advantages they (Ameristeps) offer is that they are light weight and easy and fast to install - the major disadvantage is that with them all being on one strap, bark can loosen or shifting weight can and WILL make noises and ratchet straps can fail and they make noise to operate (yes I am fully aware it can be done pretty quietly using your hands to open the lock mechanism).

This is just my opinion of course - to each his own - like in most things. If Ameristeps on a strap were the Cat's meow there wouldn't be a ton of threads still looking for the ultimate platform or people giving up saddle hunting sue to discomfort and hurting feet - we have been searching for decades and no doubt will be for a while now.
 
I've been fortunate enough to have hunted with screw in steps, platform, Jim Stepps, climbpaws, and Ameristeps. I like them all for different reasons; but if I only could use ONE I'd go with the Cranford EZY T's. That's assuming screw ins are ok. If screw ins were not an option, then count in Jim Stepps or the Ameristeps on a single ratchet. Everyone will be different Bc of size, agility, age, etc. I'm 52 and still at high school weight (178) so I'm still relatively thin and agile Bc I exercise regularly. But as I age I'll have to adjust...


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Never have used a platform. Made some wooden steps but then made my web foot stirrups and I have been very pleased with performance from them.
 
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