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Ameristep screw in steps

T

tmattson

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2019
Messages
1,088
Location
South East Michigan
Was at a local store this morning and they have the Ameristeps (4-inch/750lbs and 6-inch/1200lbs) at a super good good price. Some of the areas I hunt is private and I could use these if I want. Anyone use the newer ones, are they solid? For the price thinking of going there this week and picking up 10 of them, worst case carry a few in backpack for emergency.
 
They are solid as long as it is screwed in to where the 90 degree angle on the step part is touching the tree. Otherwise they or any other similarly designed step can break. I have some. I only buy them on clearance after season. I bought 42 in February for like 27 dollars.
 
I have some in a tree in the backyard I practice from. They work fine but like @EricS said, you want where the step makes a 90 to be touching the tree in order for them to be completely solid. Personally I'd prep a tree with them and leave them. They are handy since they're light and compact but once you get about 10-12 of them in a tree you're gonna be wore out unless you're Hercules. Just my opinion lol
 
CRogers said:
I have some in a tree in the backyard I practice from. They work fine but like @EricS said, you want where the step makes a 90 to be touching the tree in order for them to be completely solid. Personally I'd prep a tree with them and leave them. They are handy since they're light and compact but once you get about 10-12 of them in a tree you're gonna be wore out unless you're Hercules. Just my opinion lol
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I have the ameristeps grizzly steps. I also have the ultimate tree step tool. The combo is pretty heavy with 10-12 steps but it’s a dense package. Definitely for presets not run and gun.
 
I used those years ago. I eventually threw them out and bought Lone Wolf sticks because those Ameristep screw-ins are such a pain to put into trees.
 
I doubt that there is any one piece of gear that Ive hated most or swore at more than screw in Ameristeps. Thorough, complete crap. Cheap yes, but crap non the less. I GAVE 60 of them, plus the installation tool to my neighbor when I switched to bolts.
I've used screw in steps for almost 40 years and EZ Climb are hands down the best but expensive.
I'm now addicted to bolts.
 
I did some work on my practice tree in the yard this morning. I decided to go a little lower because where I previously had been setting my ros I had to many limbs in my way and couldn't get all the way around the tree. I pulled about 4-5 repositioned them, set my ros, and by then I think the neighbor was keeping count how many times I'd set mf. No way in hell would I use them as a run and gun set lol. Just thought this way ironic since I saw this thread yesterday.
 
To me they all have pros and cons. If you're going to mainly be hunting private I would suggest looking at a tree hopper drill and grade 8 bolts. If I had more access to private ground that's all I'd use. I'm hoping that changes next year. Do you plan to hunt any public land?
 
What works best for most is some form of portable lightweight climbing sticks with a one step aider. I think for those willing to put in the time they would like wild edge stepps. For private land I like bolts more than screw in steps. But not all landowners will be happy about you drilling their trees. Then there are spurs. There are really a lot of great options for climbing methods.
 
tmattson said:
Heard enough to convince me. So for run-n-gun, if you were going to spent the cash, get the best, what seems to work well for most?
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When I 1st heard about bolts I thought it sounded like a combination of tree damage and a pain to install. Then a buddy showed me an old Woodpecker drill. I was amazed at how easily it drilled holes.
I then started to realize drilling didn't do any more damage to the tree than the EZ Climb Deluxe that I'd used for the last few decades. I also realized that maple tappers bored holes in trees for years with no problems.
If screw ins are legal where you hunt, then bolts are a no brainer.
One other thing that I hadn't considered is the comparison of bolts to screw ins in my pack. Bolts are quieter, lighter, and more compact.
Everyone should have sticks or WE type system in their bag of tricks but if you can use screw ins, get a Treehopper drill and grade 8 bolts...maybe even carbon.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
I’m not a tree stand nor saddle expert like others here, but I’ve used both these steps and LW sticks. I’d use steps if I were able to put them in early (like weeks/days before opener) and I wasn’t planning on moving around much. For run-n-gun I’d definitely use climbing sticks. The only issue I’ve had with sticks is not being able to wrap them around large trees. Never used a drill with steps, though, just elbow grease so that might skew my preferences.
 
For the price ameristeps work great for pre-set trees. Get the ultimate tree step tool and it will make putting them in a lot easier. I've been using them for years. I have over 40 pre-set trees prepped with them. 10 steps won't get you very far though. I use between 20-24 to prep a tree. Usually 16-18 on the way up, 5 for a platform and another one for a pack holder.
 
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