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Easiest method for screw in steps?

RedOak said:
Red,
Do you think I’d regret switching from Cranfords to bolts and a tree hopper mini? The big advantage to me seems to be weight savings and the ability to remove the easier after the season if I don’t like the set and also on the way down while mobile. Appreciate any input!
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If I may give my opinion. I’d say have both. I like to leave bolts in, I don’t like to leave open holes for water and disease to get in. Both are great at different times. Screw in holes will heal faster if that is important to you
 
I Have no experience with bolts. May try them but I always kinda equated drilling holes with those cheap screw in steps we used to use and after about three I was sweaty and worn out.
 
For what it’s worth, I put bolts in during spring scouting, leaving out the bottom 5 or so. It’s easy to go back and reopen the holes as I hunt the trees at the first of the season with a woodpecker drill. They’re much cheaper than screw ins, although I have a set of cranfords that I use often.
after a couple of years of doing that you wind up having a lot of trees that are ready to hunt. I carry a small pouch that has my tree strap, five bolts and the miscellaneous hangers that I use.
 
Birddog said:
For what it’s worth, I put bolts in during spring scouting, leaving out the bottom 5 or so. It’s easy to go back and reopen the holes as I hunt the trees at the first of the season with a woodpecker drill. They’re much cheaper than screw ins, although I have a set of cranfords that I use often.
after a couple of years of doing that you wind up having a lot of trees that are ready to hunt. I carry a small pouch that has my tree strap, five bolts and the miscellaneous hangers that I use.
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My local hardware store has grade 8 bolts in a bunch of different size variations. What size bolts are folks running?
 
EricS said:
@redsquirrel turned me on to this after I bought a bunch of the junk ameristep screw ins at a good discount. http://www.treesteptool.com/

It doesn’t change that they are junk but does make things easier. I also have bolts. If starting fresh I would go with bolts simply because of the ease and silence of setting a tree up during season. I make a lot of noise using the step tool to set one up. I did find the screw ins useful for setting up some trees post season last year.I didn’t have to worry about opening holes back up.
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I use one of these too. It certainly helps, but since I got a treehopper, it sits at camp.
 
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