• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

ROS

I have always liked ameristeps and a ROS... this year I am using the predator platform more than 50% of the time... I like it but am looking forward to trying the new squirrel steps.

I think the disadvantage of a platform used to be bulky, hard to carry cannot move around the tree but there is less movement to take a shot.

The predator overcomes many of those issues in my mind. The predator is a home run as far as platform. I really did not like the Ernie platform with the XOP seat.
I am not sure what is better a ROS or platform at this point and it is really what you get used to and personal preference.
 
Nope, completely different design. Not great for a platform IMO.
What about the Bullman Outdoors Silent Approach steps do you not like for a ROS? They seems more similar to my homemade ROS with the (step, upside down L) pointing up like a bracket versus treehopper, squirrel steps, etc which hang down with the step oriented like a normal L. I tried the Treehopper steps but I did not far for the upward angle on them. They made my feet feel like they were canted in all day. I thought I would give the silent approach ones a try since they sit flush to the tree and at a right angle to the tree. Thoughts?
 
Yes, I have never used anything but a ROS.
Is this because of the size of timber you hunt in your area ,most of the trees I get in our 20" + 20' up and tight barked .I tried squirrel steps just could not get comfortable with them so back to platform ,but I could see them being no different then a platform on smaller trees ,just dont have em
 
What about the Bullman Outdoors Silent Approach steps do you not like for a ROS? They seems more similar to my homemade ROS with the (step, upside down L) pointing up like a bracket versus treehopper, squirrel steps, etc which hang down with the step oriented like a normal L. I tried the Treehopper steps but I did not far for the upward angle on them. They made my feet feel like they were canted in all day. I thought I would give the silent approach ones a try since they sit flush to the tree and at a right angle to the tree. Thoughts?
I don't like the design with how you stand on the top of the step vs the bottom. I find they pull away from the tree. I used them more as a climbing method than a ROS but I did not like them for either. I found they would actually pop up so the platform portion would be against the the tree when I went to climb back down.

Way to revive an old thread @gcr0003 lol.
 
Is this because of the size of timber you hunt in your area ,most of the trees I get in our 20" + 20' up and tight barked .I tried squirrel steps just could not get comfortable with them so back to platform ,but I could see them being no different then a platform on smaller trees ,just dont have em
Nope. Platforms didn't exist when I started saddle hunting so I had to learn how to hunt out of a saddle on a ROS, specifically the screw in ameristeps. Once you learn how to hunt off a ROS you will look at a platform and ask yourself why you would ever carry that thing into the woods.
 
Nope. Platforms didn't exist when I started saddle hunting so I had to learn how to hunt out of a saddle on a ROS, specifically the screw in ameristeps. Once you learn how to hunt off a ROS you will look at a platform and ask yourself why you would ever carry that thing into the woods.

Ha! EXACTLY what happened to me. I can only use a platform if I have steps beside it, and then why bother with the platform?

That said, I tell new saddle hunters that if they start out with just a platform and learn that way, then it will be easier for them in the long run not having to mess with extra steps, etc. I love the ROS and can’t give it up, but it’s easier to hang a small platform than a ROS.
 
I love the ROS and can’t give it up, but it’s easier to hang a small platform than a ROS.
Meh... I don't know if I agree with that. I think it is like anything else, if you develop a system and practice it will be second nature. I have my step platform hung in less than a minute and I wouldn't want to give up being able to walk around the tree. I'm set in my ways though. I've seen all these platforms come to the market, tried a few, and still prefer my ROS.
 
Meh... I don't know if I agree with that. I think it is like anything else, if you develop a system and practice it will be second nature. I have my step platform hung in less than a minute and I wouldn't want to give up being able to walk around the tree. I'm set in my ways though. I've seen all these platforms come to the market, tried a few, and still prefer my ROS.

I used the Predator platform and a Single-Stick with a scout all last season on and off. This year I switched to 3 WE Stepps with a Knaider/Swaider for my climbing method and 6 of the steps from EWO with an OCB buckle. I’m very surprised at how well I like this system. I feel a lot more stable when moving around the tree compared to a platform and they’re super light. I also find that I have less foot fatigue with a ROS. My question is, is there a trick to camming that buckle over? I nearly break a sweat pushing it over, haha.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
you guys have been debating ring of steps vs platform for years, here i am getting ready to ADD a ring of steps to my mission platform, (separate OCB strap) because why not carry more stuff into the woods!
Honestly, that's why I don't talk about it much anymore unless someone asks me or gets me fired up lol. You can only have the same debate so many times.
 
I used the Predator platform and a Single-Stick with a scout all last season on and off. This year I switched to 3 WE Stepps with a Knaider/Swaider for my climbing method and 6 of the steps from EWO with an OCB buckle. I’m very surprised at how well I like this system. I feel a lot more stable when moving around the tree compared to a platform and they’re super light. I also find that I have less foot fatigue with a ROS. My question is, is there a trick to camming that buckle over? I nearly break a sweat pushing it over, haha.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
What I usually do is pull the tag end tight and then wiggle the buckle a little bit to give it some play. That usually gives the strap enough play to cam it over. If you're struggling that hard to came it over just loosen the strap up a little. I have never broken a buckle but a few people have. Pretty sure they all involved someone trying to cam it over when it didn't want to go.
 
This may help someone who is considering a ROS.
I climb with 10 or 12 Treehopper steps.

I do carry one stick with a double step on top.
The steps are about 4" higher then my double step.
I place the heal of my foot on the double steps and the ball of my foot on a squirrel step.
Helps with size 14 boots.
 

Attachments

  • Ring of Steps-1.jpg
    Ring of Steps-1.jpg
    492.3 KB · Views: 72
I use a UP single stick. I take 3 squirrel steps with me on a ocb. I put them at 12-3-9. This lets me have a little of both. A platform but I like to stand on the 9-3 steps and rest my knees on the tree. I can sit for hours like that. I can shoot strong side all around the tree.
 
Platforms are for people who don't completely understand saddle hunting. They're bulky and limiting.
 
Platforms are for people who don't completely understand saddle hunting. They're bulky and limiting.

Whoa whoa, nobody like someone who makes a huge generalization like that. I had a guy tell me yesterday that ROSs are for people who can’t afford platforms . They both have their places in the art of saddlehunting.
 
If a guy wants to use a platform, great.
I got into saddle hunting to save weight. With my size 14 boots I would need a big platform to do anything for me. and if I used a platform, I feel i would still need a ROS.
In my old tree stand days, I was carrying 24 Lbs. plus my safety harness.
With my OBD, that's not doable any more.
My ROS weighs 1.75 Lbs. Plus my climbing method at 6 Lbs. lets me still hunt from a tree. My saddle weights less then my old safety harness.
 
Honestly, a platform with a step or two around the back of the tree is ideal, IMO. Problem is, it’s another/more gear to lug and set up. I’m trying to be efficient and move along pretty quickly, always trying to lean out gear. I’ve been using the ROS and the top of my stick and find it comfortable...trying to incorporate the hawk HSP (for $29) into my setup but it seems I should expect the quality I paid at that price.
 
Back
Top