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Treesteps got stolen, Wildedge steps or Muddy Pro sticks?

B

Billy Buck

New Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2017
Messages
21
Two months before the season and I went to go check on a tree I saddle hunt in and someone had stolen the screw in tree steps I had in it. I am afraid to put screw in steps back in now.

I own 5 muddy pro sticks and have never used them, I have been looking at videos of Wildedge steps and was thinking about getting a pack of 8 with an aider.

What are your thoughts on the advantages of either fine product?
 
I have one muddy stick (one stick climbing method) and also 10 wild edge steps. I plan on using both methods in different situations. The advantages to each one is highly dependent on personal preferences.

I would first check out the threads using muddy sticks and try them out before buying anything else. Definitely check out the one stick climbing thread posted on here. Then if you still want more options, go for the stepps.
 
Why don’t you just roll with the muddys you own? Virtually zero learning curve & you can always add an aider if you need more height. Pros for sticks, quick, quiet setting up/ Cons would be weight & bulk to get to height. Wild edge stepps take a fair amount of practice to get proficient (not a deterrent but just know that up front/ same with spurs) Pros for stepps; small profile, lighter than muddys, many climbing options to reduce number of stepps needed to get to hunting height. Cons; prob just learning curve & dialing in your method ( I little tougher in the dark, maybe that’s just me) also a bit slower ( that’s not terrible if your trying to be silent anyway)
 
I agree with Bigterp. Really depends on how much practice time you plan on having. Muddy sticks will only take a few times to get comfortable. WE are great but more of a learning curve. I say this only because fall right around the corner. Do you have a platform?
 
I was going to fix up a ratchet strap from strapworks with 3 Ameristeps, but they may be on the recall list so now I am thinking about ordering 3 Wildedge steps for a platform, that way I can work with the steps and see how I like them compared to my sticks and maybe end up buying more steps. Thoughts?
 
I bought 5 steps a few weeks ago. I thought they were fairly simple to put up and they are rock solid. My plan is to use 3 or 4 as a platform for now. I have a predator on order but not sure if I will have it in time for bow season. I like having options and being new to this whole saddle thing I want to play around and see what is comfortable.I think in the end I will like a platform better but again I like options and this would allow me to leave a platform in the tree and just climb. I got a couple extra WE stepps in case I want to use 1 or 2 in addition to my heliums for extra height. From what I have seen if you get something and dont like it you can sell it pretty easily on here for about what you paid for it. Only exception would be a mantis/predator combo which I think if you had one in hand you could probably sell for enough to retire on
 
If you like screw in steps you will love the drill & bolt method. It's easier to drill a hole with the hand drill and insert a bolt, than it is to screw a step in. And, especially on presets with a cordless drill. Plus once the tree is drilled it's good for the season. Just insert bolts as you climb up and pull them when you climb down. It's more compact and portable than any other climbing system, not to mention it as safe a method as there is.
 
Where can I get the drill bolt method you are talking about? I use to have some detachable treesteps, I used those on the lower portion of the tree and then put standard screw ins up higher, If they are going to steal from me at least make them work for it.
 
I use the WE steppes. Learning curve is the only thing against them. I like how much more compact they are. I'm going to use a DIY aider this year so I'll have some left for a platform. It's kind of like a 2 for 1 deal. Less gear too!
 
I was not a fan of the WE stepps as a platform but I didn't practice it too much. Only a few times. I wound up trading 8 stepps for modded hawk heliums and now waiting on a predator. Everybody is different though. I just didn't like having to get 3 at about the same height with ropes getting in the way and since you're not facing the stepps on the left and right of tree it gets tricky to cam. With more practice though people love em. Lots of trial and error is this world. I love it
 
Billy Buck said:
Where can I get the drill bolt method you are talking about? I use to have some detachable treesteps, I used those on the lower portion of the tree and then put standard screw ins up higher, If they are going to steal from me at least make them work for it.
Click to expand...

The drill is made by EZKut. They offer a hand drill as well as a drill for a cordless drill motor.

https://ezkutproducts.com/shop/page/3/


The bolts are 3/8" x 6" grade 8. The best place to purchase them is at a hardware wholesale house.

http://www.deltabolt.com/
 
Found another muddy pro stick I forgot about, I have six, fooled around with a couple of sticks in the back yard, I think I can get up to 22 feet easily and safely and not strain my old 58 year old knees too much. I will have to hang 3 sticks from my tree saddle with bungie cord, maybe even four while climbing. Probably just screw in some tree steps at the top for my platform or maybe a Bulman base, they are high price at $67.00 though. Might also go ahead and use my Ameristeps for a platform.
 
I would 2nd the @WHW advise .
This will be my first season with them(EZ cut and modified #8 bolts/ Klemz platform; OR
My climb spikes ). I myself will drill each tree I hunt as I choose them, I'm early enough at my loc's to drill to my height. I don't plan on presetting any trees this season as my locations were locked into gps from this winters scouting, and some of last seasons close encounters.
 
Billy Buck said:
Found another muddy pro stick I forgot about, I have six, fooled around with a couple of sticks in the back yard, I think I can get up to 22 feet easily and safely and not strain my old 58 year old knees too much.
Click to expand...

Just saying. It's a lot easier to carry this climbing method, that will easily get you to 22 feet, instead of hauling bulky muddy pro sticks. And, my 74 year old knees don't complain.

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Do you leave the bolts in the tree, or is the hole drilled large enough that you just insert the bolt and take them out when you leave, also if you put the bolts in in the dark, how do you see the holes?
 
If you really like using screw-insteps, you can do like John Eberhart does and take out the bottom six steps. No one will see your other steps up high and even if they did they couldn’t get them. Then, just bring six with you for your hunt, and you’re good to go.
 
Or you can preset with your screw in steps, take out the bottom six, and bring one climbing stick with an aider ( or a few WE steps) that will get you high enough to your screw in steps.
 
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