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Platform or ring of steps or a combo

Saddle Assassin

Saddle Assassin

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2014
Messages
221
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Somewhere out there
I been using a mission platform some this year and while I like it I also feel kinda handicapped on certain trees. I feel like a ROS overall would be a better way to go but maybe not as comfortable. I am eyeballing the bull man steps with that angle on top. Anyone have any experience with them ?
 
Saddle Assassin said:
I been using a mission platform some this year and while I like it I also feel kinda handicapped on certain trees. I feel like a ROS overall would be a better way to go but maybe not as comfortable. I am eyeballing the bull man steps with that angle on top. Anyone have any experience with them ?
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I havent used the new ones but i did use a ROS exclusively for the first 2 years without much complaints. I now use a scout platform on my stick and think its the business...but i do still occasionally like to throw ROS on with it just for that extra little side step, so i would say combo. When i use it with my platform i only run 2-3 steps.
 
I sold my Predator to go back to a ROS but I like the steps on ea. side to be higher than the front one, much as someone already shared. It's nice to hook your heel in the higher ones to relax. I bought a $200 Kuzie and got 10 WE Steps Free Today...Resized_20221104_143824_420 (1).jpeg
 
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I use a predator and will take one or 2 steps to put on the back/side of the tree...especially if it is a large one. That way if I have to get around to the back of the tree, I have foot placement that allows me to swing around quietly and controlled
 
Last year I occasionally used a ring of steps (squirrel steps) with my mission platform. I've been practicing one sticking and been using a ROS with a one stick, I actually use the steps a bit more with the smaller platform but am liking this setup a lot. Loved the mission but haven't taken it into the woods yet this year, ROS had come every trip.

Sometimes I set the one stick on one side above a fork and the ROS on another in some strange trees to let me float in the middle, or tether off of either side.
 
Phaco said:
I use a predator and will take one or 2 steps to put on the back/side of the tree...especially if it is a large one. That way if I have to get around to the back of the tree, I have foot placement that allows me to swing around quietly and controlled
Click to expand...

This is what I've largely settled on. I really wanted to like the ROS and a solo method but could only hang with them for about 2-3 hours before my feet would start screaming.

With the platform (predator as well), my feet are more comfortable when leaning for long hours and a step at 10:00 and 2:00 allow for more comfortable sitting as well as giving foot placement for rotating around the tree.
 
Saddle Assassin said:
I am thinking going down to a edp platform and a few steps for longer hunts and just use the ROS for the shorter hunts.
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I think it really depends on if you are a leaner or a sitter. I sit probably 95% of the time and I love a ring of steps. Very little of my weight is on the steps and most of my weight is in the saddle (2 panel Recon).
 
I hunted off a platform for a couple of years. Then switched to a ring of steps for a few years and then this year settled on a platform with two steps on the strap, one on each side of the tree. I like the fact the steps are higher than the platform. It gives me multiple foot positions and I can go from leaning to sitting by simply picking ip my feet and putting them on the steps. My upper body doesn’t move so it’s less movement.
 
Platform for me I usually know where the deer are going to come from so i set my playform up accordingly.
besides if no limbs i can usually go around the tree just under 360 using my knees and toes for leverage and balance
 
Platform with steps at 9:00, 12:00, and 3:00. I like the steps at 9 and 3 for sitting. Can alternate between resting my knees against the tree and straddling the tree and usually place my feet on those steps for comfort. 12:00 step does not get used often but provides the benefit that a ROS does - ability to go all the way around the tree and keep the tree between me and the deer. I like the platform for leaning and also find that I can make weak side shots much quicker and with less movement (going over the bridge and pivoting the feet vs going all the way around the tree). Deer coming quickly on my weak side I can make the shot happen with a platform - much easier for ME - than a ROS.
 
I have a ROS with 5 Ameristeps. Between those and my top WE step, all the foot placement options I need
 
Maverick1 said:
Platform with steps at 9:00, 12:00, and 3:00. I like the steps at 9 and 3 for sitting. Can alternate between resting my knees against the tree and straddling the tree and usually place my feet on those steps for comfort. 12:00 step does not get used often but provides the benefit that a ROS does - ability to go all the way around the tree and keep the tree between me and the deer. I like the platform for leaning and also find that I can make weak side shots much quicker and with less movement (going over the bridge and pivoting the feet vs going all the way around the tree). Deer coming quickly on my weak side I can make the shot happen with a platform - much easier for ME - than a ROS.
Click to expand...
My experience exactly except I usually go under the bridge with my bow.
 
Both for me. Squirrel steps and predator.
 
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