WE Step and a ring of steps

[Peterk1234]

So my no mark tree bark project so far has been a bust but this idea more than makes up for it. I am thrilled. No more setting a couple of steps for a platform for me. One Step will do it. I was expecting the Bullmans to flop over from side pressure, but they are doing fairly well. I am not a big gut though, so that may make a difference. I did put three screws into one of them to see if it made them better and that really locked it in nice. I will probably do it to all them because it does seem help quite a bit. The mark on the tree from the screws are not even noticeable.

I would spend the time to make a better video and take more pics but it is 12 degrees out and I do not have my volunteer videograper with me. So this is all you get for now. Not sure if I should make the Bullmans detach from the step or figure out a way to keep them on and still have it be easy to store. I was thinking of sewing up a separate pouch for the Bullmans. The pouch would be then sewed to the front of my WE Step bag. Open to ideas here. I think Luis is right though, it would be better to be able to keep them on the Step.

 

[YotaboyPatrick]

Thank you for sharing, I've been wanting to do the same thing but just wasn't quite sure if It would work because I heard the bullmans slip around a bit. It that a sheet rock screw you used?

 

[Peterk1234]

Thank you for sharing, I've been wanting to do the same thing but just wasn't quite sure if It would work because I heard the bullmans slip around a bit. It that a sheet rock screw you used?

It is. Drilled it all the way through screwed it in then clipped it to length. I will do more testing of them when I have daylight and time. Pete

 

[pesqimon]

Pete, here is my version...

I used a standard climbing stick strap and it works great. The nice thing about is you can easily remove the straps with the steps for packing. Might be a little clunky but the sort of thing that should get better with practice.

This alleviates some of my tree damage concern because it seems they go on with less amount of attempts and thus less chewing of bark.

With this approach i can see myself going back to Sw/kn and only needing to place 4 steps. 5 if I want to get whacky!

I plan to try this with other steps I have available but this is a great start!

 

[pesqimon]

Took a video that I can’t seem to add, but it is very similar to Pete’s result above.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Peterk1234]

I like it. The squirrel steps will be more solid than the Bullman's, but puts you lower than the Step. Not a big deal at all. I have two seasons with Ameristeps on the WE ropes and it was fine. I may put the two AMeristeps on mine, on either side of the Step, and use the Bullmans for the backside, where I would need the platform a bit higher.

 

[public_land]

This is a good idea! I am wanting to try a ROS this summer to see if I like it better than my current setup (WE step with DIY perch). I may continue to use the "perch" and just add a strap and steps to one of my WE steps and dedicate that step as my top step. I will likely get some squirrel steps and use the flat hook and cam buckle like Peter has shown. Even if I decide to drop the DIY platform from the setup, I can still utilize the WE Stepp and the squirrel steps on the strap.

I am also interested in trying out the K/S climb method. This whole system seems ideal for my hunting style!