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Squirrel steps

I used my set of 5 steps now twice to end our late season in Michigan, they are solid and the packability is unbeatable for a platform, mine fit in a Tethrd Sys Hauler with room left over for their tether with carabiner and ropeman 1.
 
I made a ROS with the squirrel steps and OCB. They are not as solid to the tree as ameristeps but not bad at all. I'd take them hunting over the ameristeps just because of packability.
I didn't stay on them long so I don't know about comfort over time.
 
swampsnyper said:
I made a ROS with the squirrel steps and OCB. They are not as solid to the tree as ameristeps but not bad at all. I'd take them hunting over the ameristeps just because of packability.
I didn't stay on them long so I don't know about comfort over time.
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We're they squishy, or just not as solid laterally?
 
They are pretty solid. They are squishy when pushing on them while rotating around the tree. Not bad, just took some time getting used to them. Not quite as solid as a ameristep, but the packability and ease of quieting down make them my go too. They don’t slide side to side like the bullman steps did for me. Overal I am very happy with them and will use them as my primary ROS.
 
DanO said:
Not yet, but I will this weekend!
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Ok, I know the weekend is almost over but I just went out to test this. I used the strap from my ring of steps strap and a cam buckle instead of the OCB quick release buckle. It works awesome and is quick and easy to setup since the strap has the vinyl coated hook on it to connect right to the cam buckle. I have some more straps arriving on Monday and can order some more buckles to make these available on the website if you want - same price as ring of steps strap ($11).
 
rutjr said:
I think they need a cleat against the tree. Smooth doesn't do it.
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As @redsquirrel has said a couple times, having the cleat on the back would keep the step from sliding down and tightening to the tree. It would actually make it worse. The BearClaws for example work well with a cleat because they are hung from a lag bolt, not a strap.
 
DanO said:
As @redsquirrel has said a couple times, having the cleat on the back would keep the step from sliding down and tightening to the tree. It would actually make it worse. The BearClaws for example work well with a cleat because they are hung from a lag bolt, not a strap.
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A good example of this is there was a time people were putting machine screws through their ameristeps on each side of the step support "spine" to try to make them more solid. This quickly fell to the way side. Though they "MAY" have made a slight difference on smooth barked trees like young maples when I tried the ones I had, you did almost have to push away from the tree a little with your foot and down as you tried to seat them--and this got progressively harder with each of the steps on the ring. IT also meant your body force was goign away from the tree...not super comfortable. I took all the screws out of the ones I had and they were much much better that way. Especially as I PRACTICED more with them...
 
I received my steps today and have one of DanO’s straps as well, all I’ve been able to do is play with them in the yard so far, but I can say I believe they are going to work great! The strap gets them solid on the tree and the little bit of movement doesn’t seem like it will be a problem. One question tho, what do y’all recommend for silencing them? I’ve seen stealth strips mentioned a few times but if there is a better option let me know please. Thanks!
 
cnichols15 said:
I received my steps today and have one of DanO’s straps as well, all I’ve been able to do is play with them in the yard so far, but I can say I believe they are going to work great! The strap gets them solid on the tree and the little bit of movement doesn’t seem like it will be a problem. One question tho, what do y’all recommend for silencing them? I’ve seen stealth strips mentioned a few times but if there is a better option let me know please. Thanks!
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Vet wrap works great. Can buy at Tractor Supply stores, Amazon, or my website :)
 
I've been fiddling with mine the last couple of days. I've not set them at height nor have I climbed up on them. I have been just using the OCB and strap to strap them to different trees in the back yard. Like I said before I have no experience with them, so I don't even know how I would use them as a platform. I can't imagine myself stomping on em, or trying to twist and roll them like I saw in the video. I know you mentioned a refund, but my question I guess is, are they safe. I've cammed them over, and reset them on at least 20 trees. I don't see any wear on the strap from that. How rock solid do they need to be to hunt off of? I Would hold on to mine until I get a better sense of how I'm going to use them. If you come up with some retooling ideas to bevel where the straps come through the step, would it be an option to send them back then and have them retooled? Someone mentioned taking a dremel to them? I don't feel like that's something I'd want to do to mine. I'd just as soon hold on to them and use them until you all come up with a way to fix them. If they're safe as is.
 
They are safe except if you put a lot of side pressure on them and don’t have the strap tight. We will be coming up with options beside using a Dremel. Might be a simple fix with a couple different grits of Emory cloth. Just hanging them up and standing on them won’t hurt the strap one bit.


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Sounds good I will stay tuned, and in the mean time I will rock my squirrel steps. Thanks
 
So that wrap is non adhesive and will hold up to stepping on it and shifting weight, etc.? It just seems like it might unravel, but I have no experience with it.
 
Non adhesive and re-usable. But depending on use might not last an entire season. There are others with a lot more experience, but this type of wrap really quiets them down.
 
Thanks again! I might as well go ahead and buy some of everything in your store! Lol I know I’ll be buying at least one double step and probably some wrap from you.
 
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