There are a lot of ways to keep the step open. I've used rubber tubing around the step as well as a bundle of zip ties (8 or 10) with the square catches cut off. I zip tied the bundle to the bottom of each "rung". It worked very well.
I've been using a Treehopper drill bit for 20 years. It's 4/1000ths over sized and set to depth. It allows you to use grade 8 3/8 bolts 6" long. when you get done hunting you can take them with you or hide them at the base of the tree. no one ever knew you were there. also i'll take them up about 10' sometimes then go to sticks. I'll remove the bolts on the way down, keeps everyone honest!!!! Bit was 20 or 30 bucks, had the same one for 20 years works great. last time I checked they still had a web site
Good post Dave. This really made me think. I think you are right on with having a setup that you can repeat efficiently and quietly. And thanks for the info you have shared with your helium stick mods in the past. I did the mods on my set this spring and I think I will really like it. I really like that it shortens them up for packing as well as reduces weight.I have went almost exclusively to 3 modified helium sticks with foot straps - my rationale is I want to perfect one method and be able to use it anywhere/anytime and to have my stem ingrained in my little brain. There have been too many times with preset trees, or when using steps, bolts, etc., that I hunt a morning and then find really hot sign a few hundred yards away and I am stuck with screw in steps in a tree I just left. Or I walk in during an evening hunt and decide to hunt a totally different tree/area then originally planned.
I am always prepared when I am in the woods to set up on a moments notice. last year I went to a tree to hunt one evening and the wind had blown the dang thing over - had I not had sticks with me hunt was over. Gaffs are too loud for me and how I hunt, screw in steps are illegal and take way too much time and effort, .... I have tried just about every method out there and for sneaking in close to bedding (which is how I hunt 90% of the time) I have found nothing more versatile, quiet and quick then my helium sticks and foot straps. And after using just this method in hundreds of trees - I can do it in the dark with no light on all but the very darkest of nights. Add in my platform and I have yet to find a tree I cannot hunt - and where I live most trees are not hunter friendly.
I have went almost exclusively to 3 modified helium sticks with foot straps - my rationale is I want to perfect one method and be able to use it anywhere/anytime and to have my stem ingrained in my little brain. There have been too many times with preset trees, or when using steps, bolts, etc., that I hunt a morning and then find really hot sign a few hundred yards away and I am stuck with screw in steps in a tree I just left. Or I walk in during an evening hunt and decide to hunt a totally different tree/area then originally planned.
I am always prepared when I am in the woods to set up on a moments notice. last year I went to a tree to hunt one evening and the wind had blown the dang thing over - had I not had sticks with me hunt was over. Gaffs are too loud for me and how I hunt, screw in steps are illegal and take way too much time and effort, .... I have tried just about every method out there and for sneaking in close to bedding (which is how I hunt 90% of the time) I have found nothing more versatile, quiet and quick then my helium sticks and foot straps. And after using just this method in hundreds of trees - I can do it in the dark with no light on all but the very darkest of nights. Add in my platform and I have yet to find a tree I cannot hunt - and where I live most trees are not hunter friendly.
@DaveT1963 - I'm going to disagree with you that spurs are too loud/slow. With a quick strap/buckle mod, my spurs are deadly silent (quieter than my sticks) and I can be 20' up a tree in 2-4 minutes.
However, you are SPOT on about the idea of being 100% comfortable and CONFIDENT with whatever system you choose. You've found your sweet spot with your sticks. Whatever system (sticks, gaffs, bolts, SRT, Stepp Ladders, anti-gravity shoes) gets you on the deer is the system you should use!