What happened to the Bullman Pioneer steps?

[3lilpigs]

I picked up a set of 10 of the Minimalist Pioneer steps when they were first released, and then another two a few months later. At that point, I guess they’d been available with the strap for a while, rather than the amsteel.

I love them. When I can’t SRT, those steps are unbeatable for ease of use and portability. But I’ve intentionally taken a break from looking at gear (much to my wallet’s relief), and now I see that they’re discontinued. Were there safety issues, trouble getting the materials, or were they just not selling?

As long as I don’t lose any I should be able to replace the amsteel, and the steps will likely never wear out. But it sucks that they won’t be available just in case.

 

[BlessdHuntr]

Yeah I grabbed 6 of them when they had them discounted. 6 of them cost me $35. I used them for my ROS this last year. Worked out great for that. I saw that they were gone now and was wondering the same thing.

 

[bigcat93]

I think they just moved to the new “apex steps”

he had a big sale like mentioned above and cleared inventory. I had bought 6 awhile back, have 2 on my predator platform strap And then bought 12 more when they were on sale.

Squirrel steps are next closest thing to them

 

[3lilpigs]

Squirrel steps are next closest thing to them

Hawk Monkey Bars also look good; cheaper than the Squirrel Steps but a bit more pricey than the Pioneer Minimalist.

 

[raisins]

They moved back to the type of step that flips over all the time unless you have it ultratight with an OCB or ratchet strap, so not suitable for a climbing step (at least for me).

 

[TreeCreep]

Unsure why they are not offered alongside the Apex/Platform options.
I picked up a set of 6 and mostly pulled them from a bag as an option to climb with a 36” sling aider.
They are also fine as a ring of steps , or added to treehopper or platform steps as a lower bulk ROS , which I prefer as I really don’t use the back side steps too often. Treehopper s pack poorly.
I’m still searching for better attachments than the API cam straps.
Used them in mild weather .
2 steps are less weight than the spendy stick options and fit in a pack… but require more straps/ amsteel attachments.
I’ll check out the Apex eventually but also not making any big gear purchases.

 

[raisins]

.
I’m still searching for better attachments than the API cam straps.

for which step and as a ROS or for climbing?

for climbing, i think this eats a cam straps' lunch

description/review of amsteel buckleless treehopper step climbing method after 20+ hunts

I described on someone else's thread a while back how I was going to try an amsteel daisy chain method with treehopper steps. I developed that and used it for the past 20 or so hunts and this will be my method until maybe I switch to Tethrd One sticks with aiders. Any critiques or suggestions...

saddlehunter.com

 

[3lilpigs]

They moved back to the type of step that flips over all the time unless you have it ultratight with an OCB or ratchet strap, so not suitable for a climbing step (at least for me).

Yeah, I had their older Silent Approach steps, just couldn’t get them to work comfortably for me. Oh well.

 

[raisins]

Yeah, I had their older Silent Approach steps, just couldn’t get them to work comfortably for me. Oh well.

I sold them to someone here that already had a set and liked them....otherwise I'd consider it unethical to sell them for climbing....they're almost dangerous.

 

[BlessdHuntr]

They moved back to the type of step that flips over all the time unless you have it ultratight with an OCB or ratchet strap, so not suitable for a climbing step (at least for me).

I use them on the bottom 2 steps after that I don't trust them.

 

[TreeCreep]

for which step and as a ROS or for climbing?

for climbing, i think this eats a cam straps' lunch

description/review of amsteel buckleless treehopper step climbing method after 20+ hunts

I described on someone else's thread a while back how I was going to try an amsteel daisy chain method with treehopper steps. I developed that and used it for the past 20 or so hunts and this will be my method until maybe I switch to Tethrd One sticks with aiders. Any critiques or suggestions...

saddlehunter.com

Climbing.
The API are hook to cam, I’m only 160# and they are solid but thin and not reassuring .
Yes- I recall that thread I just prefer a less fussy way to connect, cinch , wrap excess strap and climb.
You guys were on the right path.
I suspect the Apex 2.0 connection will be similar
Pioneer, squirrel steps , cranford and options that attach above step are less like to roll if kept at 5 and 7 o’clock / inside thighs in my unqualified and suspect opinion.

 

[bigcat93]

Hawk Monkey Bars also look good; cheaper than the Squirrel Steps but a bit more pricey than the Pioneer Minimalist.

You can catch the monkey bars on camofire probably

 

[NMSbowhunter]

Yeah, I picked up 6 more when I saw they were discontinuing them in favor of the new polymer steps. I had 7 that I use as a ring of steps and bought 6 more to have a second set. I hated to see them go as an option.