Ultimate Tree Step Tool

[EricS]

I only use ameristeps for presets. Most trees I use the rubber hammer side of the tool to get them started. I have installed them without a tool and usually ruin a pair of gloves in the process. Especially the ameristep grizzly which is mostly what I have. There are just so many better options for mobile hunting.

@redsquirrel I’m also interested in how you use 26 steps per preset. I’m assuming your using five for a ring of steps and one for a hanger. Then 20 to climb with?

 

[redsquirrel]

Do you not think that with using a platform instead of a ROS and a small bow hanger you could do it with 10-12 steps? At 2’ increments it seems like it would get you plenty high. I’ve never really had a problem starting the screw in steps it’s getting enough torque on them to install them properly is the problem I run into.

Just curious why you think screw in steps aren’t a mobile hunting method? Or are you just saying the way you use them they aren’t?

Looking like I’m going to have to maybe try some bolts as well!

You could get high enough with less than I use. I'm short and I like to have a nice easy step on my presets for when my clothing bulks up later in the season. When I'm doing a preset it doesn't matter if it takes me a little longer to get it setup, it's more important that it's set right for when I come back.

I didn't mean that screw in steps can't be a mobile hunting method. I meant that screw in steps that need to be installed with the ultimate tree step tool aren't the best mobile climbing method. If I was purchasing screw in steps for a mobile hunting method I would use one of the cranford models, they are much sharper and go in much better. I haven't used their rod model that would work with the tree step tool. Long story short to answer your original question- the ultimate tree step tool is an awesome tool, however you decide to use it.

 

[redsquirrel]

I only use ameristeps for presets. Most trees I use the rubber hammer side of the tool to get them started. I have installed them without a tool and usually ruin a pair of gloves in the process. Especially the ameristep grizzly which is mostly what I have. There are just so many better options for mobile hunting.

@redsquirrel I’m also interested in how you use 26 steps per preset. I’m assuming your using five for a ring of steps and one for a hanger. Then 20 to climb with?

Yes, usually 18-20 to climb with, then 5-6 for a ROS, then another one for the pack. I used to put one upside down just above eye level to hold up my webbing tether on the trophyline (tip courtesy of John Eberhart a long time ago), but when I switched to a rope tether I stopped doing that.

Remember @EricS you're probably 2x my height . You've lost 70 pounds and I've put on 15 so we're approaching each other that way though

 

[EricS]

Remember @EricS you're probably 2x my height . You've lost 70 pounds and I've put on 15 so we're approaching each other that way though

Makes more sense when you put it that way LOL. There really isn’t much need to stretch out your steps if you have a truckload. It’s definitely an easier quieter climb when your steps are close together as well. Are you pulling most of them after the season?

 

[redsquirrel]

Makes more sense when you put it that way LOL. There really isn’t much need to stretch out your steps if you have a truckload. It’s definitely an easier quieter climb when your steps are close together as well. Are you pulling most of them after the season?

No I only pull them if I don't use the tree anymore. I have a bunch of trees I need to go break down. Depending on the type of tree, you really should back them out a turn or 2 every year. Easier said than to actually go do them all. If you let them go too long.. you know what happens lol.

 

[Bchadwick1990]

Well I got my ultimate tree step tool in the other day and tried it out. To be honest I don’t see how the tree hopper method could be much faster. While I have not tried that method, using the tree step tool I was able to get the steps screwed in rather easy.

With the tree hopper drill you’re essentially drilling into the tree the same as screwing a step in correct?

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Well I got my ultimate tree step tool in the other day and tried it out. To be honest I don’t see how the tree hopper method could be much faster. While I have not tried that method, using the tree step tool I was able to get the steps screwed in rather easy.

With the tree hopper drill you’re essentially drilling into the tree the same as screwing a step in correct?

When strictly comparing speed only, the step tool is probably a hair faster (installing) but there is more to the advantage of bolts than just speed.

Bolts are far more packable, lighter, cheaper and quieter than the type of steps that the tool you have is made for.

The tool itself is huge to pack and much heavier than a hand drill.
Plus the space needed to complete a full revolution with the step tool is much larger than a Treehopper needs. You will find branches or adjacent trunks of a "Y" or stuff that prohibits exact placement of a step because there isn't enough room to crank a revolution.

I can prep 3 trees with bolts for the price you pay for 1 tree of Americrap steps.

And speed is a 2 way street. I will have bolts pulled, be down on the ground and and walking out before you have your 1st step removed.
For a complete comparison of all aspects, there is no bark- penetrating, climbing method that comes close to bolts.

 

[Bchadwick1990]

How much of this did you research or did you preform all of these examples?

You say the bolt system is far more packable, lighter, cheaper, and quieter. What are your standards for “far more”? Seems like a pretty relative term being loosely thrown around lol.

As far as packability I cannot speak on the bolts but I can fit 10 screw in steps secured with rubber wire easily in my SYS Hauler along with the tool and still have plenty of room for other items.

Lighter- you mention the drill is “much lighter” can you give me specs? We have to be talking ounces here not pounds right? I can’t find the specs on the tree hopper drill but the ultimate treestep tool is 12 ounces. As far as bolts vs steps I’m sure you are correct on the weight issue there as there is less material on bolts than steps.

Cheaper- I know that I can buy screw in steps cheaper than the bolts listed on the treehopper website. Bolts on the tree hopper website are 2.50 a piece or 2.39 for 10 or you can buy 25 plus for a discounted price but I’m buying screw in steps at wal-mart and academy for 1.79. Now if you are buying some from a hardware store it may be different I’m not sure on that but they also aren’t the treehopper bolts. Also I paid 33 dollars for the tree step tool where the drill is upwards of 75 dollars.

Quiter- I’m curious how either climbing method is very loud. Even when I used the hammer end of the trees step tool it wasn’t loud. I didn’t get the tool for the hammer part as I have, for the most part, no issue getting steps started in trees.

I agree the tree step tool does take a larger revolution but again it can’t be that much or “far more” or “huge” lol

I’d be willing to do some timed trials of you starting at the top of a tree with your bolt system coming and see if I can get one step unscrewed before you get to the bottom and start walking to the truck. Just for fun I unscrewed a step to see what my time would be and it was 7.65 seconds. While yes you would be faster at going down because you’re not unscrewing anything I don’t think it would be under 7.65 seconds but I could be wrong.


I’m a huge fan of the bolt system and will be trying it out soon but to say there is no other bark penetrating system that comes close is a little excessive in my opinion.

 

[Woofron]

The Treehopper drill is 8.4 ounces. Each treehopper painted bolt is about 3 ounces. The drill, 10 bolts and the carrying case for the bolts is 2 lbs 9 oz.

Reclimbing a tree has the bolts in advantage also - no need to re-drill to place bolts.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

How much of this did you research or did you preform all of these examples?

You say the bolt system is far more packable, lighter, cheaper, and quieter. What are your standards for “far more”? Seems like a pretty relative term being loosely thrown around lol.

As far as packability I cannot speak on the bolts but I can fit 10 screw in steps secured with rubber wire easily in my SYS Hauler along with the tool and still have plenty of room for other items.

Lighter- you mention the drill is “much lighter” can you give me specs? We have to be talking ounces here not pounds right? I can’t find the specs on the tree hopper drill but the ultimate treestep tool is 12 ounces. As far as bolts vs steps I’m sure you are correct on the weight issue there as there is less material on bolts than steps.

Cheaper- I know that I can buy screw in steps cheaper than the bolts listed on the treehopper website. Bolts on the tree hopper website are 2.50 a piece or 2.39 for 10 or you can buy 25 plus for a discounted price but I’m buying screw in steps at wal-mart and academy for 1.79. Now if you are buying some from a hardware store it may be different I’m not sure on that but they also aren’t the treehopper bolts. Also I paid 33 dollars for the tree step tool where the drill is upwards of 75 dollars.

Quiter- I’m curious how either climbing method is very loud. Even when I used the hammer end of the trees step tool it wasn’t loud. I didn’t get the tool for the hammer part as I have, for the most part, no issue getting steps started in trees.

I agree the tree step tool does take a larger revolution but again it can’t be that much or “far more” or “huge” lol

I’d be willing to do some timed trials of you starting at the top of a tree with your bolt system coming and see if I can get one step unscrewed before you get to the bottom and start walking to the truck. Just for fun I unscrewed a step to see what my time would be and it was 7.65 seconds. While yes you would be faster at going down because you’re not unscrewing anything I don’t think it would be under 7.65 seconds but I could be wrong.

I’m a huge fan of the bolt system and will be trying it out soon but to say there is no other bark penetrating system that comes close is a little excessive in my opinion.
[/QUOTE]

How much research? I'm entering my 50th season hunting. Been climbing trees since about my 6th year of hunting which was around 1976. I started using EZ Climb screw ins in 1980, almost 40 years of screw ins. I tried the Americrap style probably a dozen seasons ago and I literally gave 100 of them away PLUS the step tool after I realized how much better bolts are. I'm not a rookie when it comes to climbing trees.
I owned about 100 Ameristeps and I also owned the Ultimate step tool, I've owned strap on steps, sticks, 100 EZ Climb Deluxe (which I do like and still have), and now...bolts. I've been up and down trees of all species a few times over the years. Tree species is important to this discussion.
I never did a comparison of the specs...bolts vs ameristeps, but I know what I know. Your post has challenged me to check the specs...

Lets start with bolts vs Ameristeps.
1 Ameristep...6 oz.
1 bolt 3oz. But bolts wrap up in a nice, parallel packackage. Steps have two 90 degree angles. That alone make bolts far easier to pack. Plus bolts don't have a sharp tip that wears hole in packs like1 piece steps do.
When I referred to bolts being quieter, I wasn't talking about the climbing part, I was talking about the transporting part. Steps tend to have a louder "ring" to them when they clank together. It may be a minor difference, but bolts are quieter than steps in the pack.

Price...Grade 8 bolts can be purchased on Amazon and other places for $1 or less. Show me where Ameristeps are that cheap.

The tools... Tree step tool weighs 12 oz. My Treehopper mini with folding handle weighs 4.5 oz.
The U tool is 12" long. Treehopper mini is 5.5 inches long. And that length is more important that how it fits in a pack. I'm spit balling here, but a revolution of the tool when installing the step is probably around 24" - 30" circumference. The treehopper drill requires around 10". You will find out what a PIA a 24 inch crank is under certain circumstances...branch clearance, movement, and even clearance of poison I've vines or other undesirable obstructions.

The price of the Treehopper drill without the folding handle is $60. Add a little more for a folding handle, but the step tool could only dream of having a folding handle, so lets keep this apples to apples. Save $20 on the step tool, but you won't have the versatility. Guys spend 2-3 K on a bow rig, another few thousand on clothes and other assorted gear...I'm not gonna worry about $20 extra for a quality tool that performs the way I need it to. The U step site says $40 plus shipping...yeah, cheaper than the Treehopper, but you need to look at the total cost (bolts ARE cheaper) but more importantly...what you are getting. Not trying to be a smart ass, but I've been doing this for a long time. I actually tried bolts a little more than a year ago and it was like a kick in the gut. I've known about them for quite a few years and thought they seemed odd to me. Boy was I wrong!

I'm just trying to give you some good advice. Take it, or ignore it, or get insulted by it. I'm just trying to share 50 years of hunting experience. Bolts beat the crap out of screw ins...even the high quality screw ins like EZ Climbs.

 

[Bchadwick1990]

Welp

I’m a huge fan of the bolt system and will be trying it out soon but to say there is no other bark penetrating system that comes close is a little excessive in my opinion.

How much research? I'm entering my 50th season hunting. Been climbing trees since about my 6th year of hunting which was around 1976. I started using EZ Climb screw ins in 1980, almost 40 years of screw ins. I tried the Americrap style probably a dozen seasons ago and I literally gave 100 of them away PLUS the step tool after I realized how much better bolts are. I'm not a rookie when it comes to climbing trees.
I owned about 100 Ameristeps and I also owned the Ultimate step tool, I've owned strap on steps, sticks, 100 EZ Climb Deluxe (which I do like and still have), and now...bolts. I've been up and down trees of all species a few times over the years. Tree species is important to this discussion.
I never did a comparison of the specs...bolts vs ameristeps, but I know what I know. Your post has challenged me to check the specs...

Lets start with bolts vs Ameristeps.
1 Ameristep...6 oz.
1 bolt 3oz. But bolts wrap up in a nice, parallel packackage. Steps have two 90 degree angles. That alone make bolts far easier to pack. Plus bolts don't have a sharp tip that wears hole in packs like1 piece steps do.
When I referred to bolts being quieter, I wasn't talking about the climbing part, I was talking about the transporting part. Steps tend to have a louder "ring" to them when they clank together. It may be a minor difference, but bolts are quieter than steps in the pack.

Price...Grade 8 bolts can be purchased on Amazon and other places for $1 or less. Show me where Ameristeps are that cheap.

The tools... Tree step tool weighs 12 oz. My Treehopper mini with folding handle weighs 4.5 oz.
The U tool is 12" long. Treehopper mini is 5.5 inches long. And that length is more important that how it fits in a pack. I'm spit balling here, but a revolution of the tool when installing the step is probably around 24" - 30" circumference. The treehopper drill requires around 10". You will find out what a PIA a 24 inch crank is under certain circumstances...branch clearance, movement, and even clearance of poison I've vines or other undesirable obstructions.

The price of the Treehopper drill without the folding handle is $60. Add a little more for a folding handle, but the step tool could only dream of having a folding handle, so lets keep this apples to apples. Save $20 on the step tool, but you won't have the versatility. Guys spend 2-3 K on a bow rig, another few thousand on clothes and other assorted gear...I'm not gonna worry about $20 extra for a quality tool that performs the way I need it to. The U step site says $40 plus shipping...yeah, cheaper than the Treehopper, but you need to look at the total cost (bolts ARE cheaper) but more importantly...what you are getting. Not trying to be a smart ass, but I've been doing this for a long time. I actually tried bolts a little more than a year ago and it was like a kick in the gut. I've known about them for quite a few years and thought they seemed odd to me. Boy was I wrong!

I'm just trying to give you some good advice. Take it, or ignore it, or get insulted by it. I'm just trying to share 50 years of hunting experience. Bolts beat the crap out of screw ins...even the high quality screw ins like EZ Climbs.
[/QUOTE]


I plan on ordering an entire bolt set up after reading your posts. I didn’t get insulted I just was more curious on the specs. I was thinking in large scale I suppose. I was thinking you meant 10 lbs.

I do appreciate the info and didn’t mean for it to come off as not believing you I was more curious in terms of specs.

I am headed to order bolts and drill now.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Welp


How much research? I'm entering my 50th season hunting. Been climbing trees since about my 6th year of hunting which was around 1976. I started using EZ Climb screw ins in 1980, almost 40 years of screw ins. I tried the Americrap style probably a dozen seasons ago and I literally gave 100 of them away PLUS the step tool after I realized how much better bolts are. I'm not a rookie when it comes to climbing trees.
I owned about 100 Ameristeps and I also owned the Ultimate step tool, I've owned strap on steps, sticks, 100 EZ Climb Deluxe (which I do like and still have), and now...bolts. I've been up and down trees of all species a few times over the years. Tree species is important to this discussion.
I never did a comparison of the specs...bolts vs ameristeps, but I know what I know. Your post has challenged me to check the specs...

Lets start with bolts vs Ameristeps.
1 Ameristep...6 oz.
1 bolt 3oz. But bolts wrap up in a nice, parallel packackage. Steps have two 90 degree angles. That alone make bolts far easier to pack. Plus bolts don't have a sharp tip that wears hole in packs like1 piece steps do.
When I referred to bolts being quieter, I wasn't talking about the climbing part, I was talking about the transporting part. Steps tend to have a louder "ring" to them when they clank together. It may be a minor difference, but bolts are quieter than steps in the pack.

Price...Grade 8 bolts can be purchased on Amazon and other places for $1 or less. Show me where Ameristeps are that cheap.

The tools... Tree step tool weighs 12 oz. My Treehopper mini with folding handle weighs 4.5 oz.
The U tool is 12" long. Treehopper mini is 5.5 inches long. And that length is more important that how it fits in a pack. I'm spit balling here, but a revolution of the tool when installing the step is probably around 24" - 30" circumference. The treehopper drill requires around 10". You will find out what a PIA a 24 inch crank is under certain circumstances...branch clearance, movement, and even clearance of poison I've vines or other undesirable obstructions.

The price of the Treehopper drill without the folding handle is $60. Add a little more for a folding handle, but the step tool could only dream of having a folding handle, so lets keep this apples to apples. Save $20 on the step tool, but you won't have the versatility. Guys spend 2-3 K on a bow rig, another few thousand on clothes and other assorted gear...I'm not gonna worry about $20 extra for a quality tool that performs the way I need it to. The U step site says $40 plus shipping...yeah, cheaper than the Treehopper, but you need to look at the total cost (bolts ARE cheaper) but more importantly...what you are getting. Not trying to be a smart ass, but I've been doing this for a long time. I actually tried bolts a little more than a year ago and it was like a kick in the gut. I've known about them for quite a few years and thought they seemed odd to me. Boy was I wrong!

I'm just trying to give you some good advice. Take it, or ignore it, or get insulted by it. I'm just trying to share 50 years of hunting experience. Bolts beat the crap out of screw ins...even the high quality screw ins like EZ Climbs.

I plan on ordering an entire bolt set up after reading your posts. I didn’t get insulted I just was more curious on the specs. I was thinking in large scale I suppose. I was thinking you meant 10 lbs.

I do appreciate the info and didn’t mean for it to come off as not believing you I was more curious in terms of specs.

I am headed to order bolts and drill now.[/QUOTE]Hey brother. I realize I can get hard headed and opinionated when I really believe in something. I think I do it because I really believe I can be helpful to someone. Haha, look at some of my posts on wind and odor reduction!
I hope you like your drill and bolts as much as many of us do.
If you don't, Mark will buy back the drill and I will buy your bolts...no loss to you.
BTW, do you do any presets or all run and gun?

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Welp


How much research? I'm entering my 50th season hunting. Been climbing trees since about my 6th year of hunting which was around 1976. I started using EZ Climb screw ins in 1980, almost 40 years of screw ins. I tried the Americrap style probably a dozen seasons ago and I literally gave 100 of them away PLUS the step tool after I realized how much better bolts are. I'm not a rookie when it comes to climbing trees.
I owned about 100 Ameristeps and I also owned the Ultimate step tool, I've owned strap on steps, sticks, 100 EZ Climb Deluxe (which I do like and still have), and now...bolts. I've been up and down trees of all species a few times over the years. Tree species is important to this discussion.
I never did a comparison of the specs...bolts vs ameristeps, but I know what I know. Your post has challenged me to check the specs...

Lets start with bolts vs Ameristeps.
1 Ameristep...6 oz.
1 bolt 3oz. But bolts wrap up in a nice, parallel packackage. Steps have two 90 degree angles. That alone make bolts far easier to pack. Plus bolts don't have a sharp tip that wears hole in packs like1 piece steps do.
When I referred to bolts being quieter, I wasn't talking about the climbing part, I was talking about the transporting part. Steps tend to have a louder "ring" to them when they clank together. It may be a minor difference, but bolts are quieter than steps in the pack.

Price...Grade 8 bolts can be purchased on Amazon and other places for $1 or less. Show me where Ameristeps are that cheap.

The tools... Tree step tool weighs 12 oz. My Treehopper mini with folding handle weighs 4.5 oz.
The U tool is 12" long. Treehopper mini is 5.5 inches long. And that length is more important that how it fits in a pack. I'm spit balling here, but a revolution of the tool when installing the step is probably around 24" - 30" circumference. The treehopper drill requires around 10". You will find out what a PIA a 24 inch crank is under certain circumstances...branch clearance, movement, and even clearance of poison I've vines or other undesirable obstructions.

The price of the Treehopper drill without the folding handle is $60. Add a little more for a folding handle, but the step tool could only dream of having a folding handle, so lets keep this apples to apples. Save $20 on the step tool, but you won't have the versatility. Guys spend 2-3 K on a bow rig, another few thousand on clothes and other assorted gear...I'm not gonna worry about $20 extra for a quality tool that performs the way I need it to. The U step site says $40 plus shipping...yeah, cheaper than the Treehopper, but you need to look at the total cost (bolts ARE cheaper) but more importantly...what you are getting. Not trying to be a smart ass, but I've been doing this for a long time. I actually tried bolts a little more than a year ago and it was like a kick in the gut. I've known about them for quite a few years and thought they seemed odd to me. Boy was I wrong!

I'm just trying to give you some good advice. Take it, or ignore it, or get insulted by it. I'm just trying to share 50 years of hunting experience. Bolts beat the crap out of screw ins...even the high quality screw ins like EZ Climbs.

I plan on ordering an entire bolt set up after reading your posts. I didn’t get insulted I just was more curious on the specs. I was thinking in large scale I suppose. I was thinking you meant 10 lbs.

I do appreciate the info and didn’t mean for it to come off as not believing you I was more curious in terms of specs.

I am headed to order bolts and drill now.[/QUOTE]


Glad to hear it but just realize that there is no perfect climbing method. And with bolts, you need to compare them to other bark penetrating systems...not to sticks, SRT, or other methods.
Hand drills and bolts are not a magic panacea, but with all aspects considered, they have a strong edge over screw ins...especially one piece screw ins.
That being said, if you ever find a steal of a deal on EZ Climb Deluxe, don't hesitate to buy them.
Good luck, be safe, and post some pics of your success.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

 

[Bchadwick1990]

All k

I plan on ordering an entire bolt set up after reading your posts. I didn’t get insulted I just was more curious on the specs. I was thinking in large scale I suppose. I was thinking you meant 10 lbs.

I do appreciate the info and didn’t mean for it to come off as not believing you I was more curious in terms of specs.

I am headed to order bolts and drill now.

Hey brother. I realize I can get hard headed and opinionated when I really believe in something. I think I do it because I really believe I can be helpful to someone. Haha, look at some of my posts on wind and odor reduction!
I hope you like your drill and bolts as much as many of us do.
If you don't, Mark will buy back the drill and I will buy your bolts...no loss to you.
BTW, do you do any presets or all run and gun?

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
[/QUOTE]

All of my public land is mostly run and gun with the exception of leaving setups over night knowing I’m coming back the next day.

It would be nice to be able to just slide bolts back in to pre drilled holes.

 

[Bchadwick1990]

I plan on ordering an entire bolt set up after reading your posts. I didn’t get insulted I just was more curious on the specs. I was thinking in large scale I suppose. I was thinking you meant 10 lbs.

I do appreciate the info and didn’t mean for it to come off as not believing you I was more curious in terms of specs.

I am headed to order bolts and drill now.

Glad to hear it but just realize that there is no perfect climbing method. And with bolts, you need to compare them to other bark penetrating systems...not to sticks, SRT, or other methods.
Hand drills and bolts are not a magic panacea, but with all aspects considered, they have a strong edge over screw ins...especially one piece screw ins.
That being said, if you ever find a steal of a deal on EZ Climb Deluxe, don't hesitate to buy them.
Good luck, be safe, and post some pics of your success.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
[/QUOTE]
Wellllll I have to admit you were right when discussing the benefits of using the Treehopper bolt system over the ultimate tree step tool and screw in steps.

I have got to use both systems and for run and gun the bolt system is just superior to the screw in steps. I will say I’m not hesitant at all to use screw in steps anymore with the tree step tool as it brings back the use of tree steps for me because of the ease of use screwing steps in.

 

[Woofron]

All k
Hey brother. I realize I can get hard headed and opinionated when I really believe in something. I think I do it because I really believe I can be helpful to someone. Haha, look at some of my posts on wind and odor reduction!
I hope you like your drill and bolts as much as many of us do.
If you don't, Mark will buy back the drill and I will buy your bolts...no loss to you.
BTW, do you do any presets or all run and gun?

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

All of my public land is mostly run and gun with the exception of leaving setups over night knowing I’m coming back the next day.

It would be nice to be able to just slide bolts back in to pre drilled holes.
[/QUOTE]

That is really the greatest advantage in my opinion. I drill several trees on different properties and no one can tell they are drilled, and all I have to do is place bolts and climb.
Hunting the same place a month later? Same holes are still there. They won't be there next year, because the tree will grow and fill them in the spring.