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Ring of steps

Nugget

Nugget

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2018
Messages
450
I've been practicing from a platform all spring and summer. Accuracy is been ok but not great.
Shots like the 12, 3 and 6 o'clock just feel wrong. I just know I'm a better shot. Two weeks ago I added a step to the week side of my platform. Yup, I'm going to say it "game changer". This got me thinking ring of step. I bought my first ring of steps, off the forum, last week. The steps arrived yesterday so I spent the better part of today in a saddle shooting. It's the bomb! Every shot in all directions feels comfortable. My accuracy is back to where it should be. Just wish I would of gone this route early.
 
Nugget said:
I've been practicing from a platform all spring and summer. Accuracy is been ok but not great.
Shots like the 12, 3 and 6 o'clock just feel wrong. I just know I'm a better shot. Two weeks ago I added a step to the week side of my platform. Yup, I'm going to say it "game changer". This got me thinking ring of step. I bought my first ring of steps, off the forum, last week. The steps arrived yesterday so I spent the better part of today in a saddle shooting. It's the bomb! Every shot in all directions feels comfortable. My accuracy is back to where it should be. Just wish I would of gone this route early.
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Sounds like you have found what works best for you, most people have to go through alot more equipment before they settled on something!
 
Ameristeps on an OCB buckle. However I also bought a set of squirrel steps on an OCB buckle. The Ameristeps came in first and I love them. The squirrel steps came in yesterday but I'm in Indiana scouting. Squirrel steps should be lighter but a little thinner. Can't wait to try them out this Saturday!
 
Shooting from a ring of steps is great. It is very easy to move around the tree. The question will be how long are you comfortable. That's where many choose to stray away from them. I am not bashing a ring of steps. I used them exclusively for a long time and probably will from time to time in the future. But to many hunters myself included prefer a platform because you have more position options at your disposal such as sitting, leaning, standing, side saddle, etc. You can even stand up and turn around and lean up against the tree if you want. With a ring of steps you are pretty much limited to sitting most of the time or leaning with your feet at an awkward angle. Not trying to stray you away from a ROS just wargaming with you. You may very well be a ROS guy. Just some things to consider before you sell one or the other.
 
@Murph4028 I’m a smaller guy, about 5’8 155 and can do pretty much all of that with steps. They’re so easy to strap to my sticks and carry in, it’s hard to get picky about a position or two that I can’t quite get perfect in.
How do you haul your platform in?
 
Kroggenk said:
@Murph4028 I’m a smaller guy, about 5’8 155 and can do pretty much all of that with steps. They’re so easy to strap to my sticks and carry in, it’s hard to get picky about a position or two that I can’t quite get perfect in.
How do you haul your platform in?
Click to expand...

I either throw it in my backpack or clip it to the back of my saddle. Clipped on the back of the saddle is nice because it's right there when I'm ready to mount it
 
Kroggenk said:
@Nugget Gotta ask, how do the two compare? I have ameristeps, but think I might want squirrel steps.
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I like them both. The Ameristeps are a bit wider and easier on my feet. I feel they are also a little easyer to walk on. I'm going to use them on quick hunts when I want to pack light. The squirrels are better to pack. They are lighter and less bulky. You can use them as a ROS platform but I have the Ameristeps and prefer them. I'll use the squirrel steps in conjunction with my predator platform. I love my predator but feel it's a little small to maneuver on. The squirrel step make for a light weight best of both worlds setup. I now have the comfort of a platform with the maneuverability of the ROS.
 
Nugget said:
I've been practicing from a platform all spring and summer. Accuracy is been ok but not great.
Shots like the 12, 3 and 6 o'clock just feel wrong. I just know I'm a better shot. Two weeks ago I added a step to the week side of my platform. Yup, I'm going to say it "game changer". This got me thinking ring of step. I bought my first ring of steps, off the forum, last week. The steps arrived yesterday so I spent the better part of today in a saddle shooting. It's the bomb! Every shot in all directions feels comfortable. My accuracy is back to where it should be. Just wish I would of gone this route early.
Click to expand...
What you doing with platform
 
The ROS have worked for decades. Everyone's situation is different. i was never comfortable on them and leaners were always a problem for me - but more than anything, because I hunt so many different states, I often had to hunt low 8-18 foot and got busted way too many times from them. I have not been busted near as much since I went to a platform. And I am just a creature that likes a consistent process no matter what tree I am climbing, public vs private, telephone or branched, straight or leaners so sticks and a platform just get it done for me.

Everyone has to find their sweet spot, glad you found yours - that's all that matters.
 
Well said @DaveT1963
My setup this year is new to me but borderline antique and obsolete. My mobile climbing system is loggy bayou steps and I’m using sky hooks as a ring of steps. This stuff wasn’t popular when it came out but few guys were using safety gear back then. I’m more comfortable on a ring if steps. Like Dave said you have to find what works for you.
 
I'm a ring of steps guy. I find sitting very comfortable, much like sitting on a atv. But I think how your saddle is setup can determine comfort more than anything.

The buck I shot this year I had to make go from off side shot to strong side shot then take a step up the tree to lean out around a branch. With my platform it would've been a lot more difficult.
 
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