• 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

Who uses a ring of steps?

Bowtech12

Bowtech12

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2017
Messages
393
Location
Western New York
Considering changing to a Ros possibly Bullman

I’m currently using the predator pf but want to shed that bulk/weight

What are the pros/cons of ROS?
 
I’ve gone back and forth on ROS only vs ROS with a platform. Personally I don’t like ROS only unless it’s a 30 min or less hunt. Really hard (IMO) to get rid of a good surface to plant your boots comfortably for a longer sit. The solution I found that works best/is most comfortable for me is the pursuit 2 platform. For the size, stability, light weight, ankle comfort, grip, functionality and price compared to other platforms, I think it’s hard to beat. I will sometimes supplement it with an ROS, which is an awesome combo I think. I use the TreeHopper steps. Not the smallest but they’re my favorite. Again it’s that fine line between small/packable and stability/functionality.
 
Tethrd One Stick and Ring of Steps...Light, Compact and Comfortable!

I do all day hunts of it. Just have to set it up correctly between your stick and ros for max comfort


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I exclusively use a ring of steps. I guess this past season would have been my third season on them. I climb 2TC and my whole kit fits in a medium backpack and weights ten pounds.

I routinely do 5 to 6 hour sits and I have done many a dark to dark all day sist. I am primarily a sitter, not a leaner. I think that makes a difference. About 80% of my weight is in my saddle and only 10% on my feet.

I use the Bullman Pioneer steps on an OCB strap from Eastern Woods Outdoors. I use 7 steps. That works for most trees.

The advantage to a ring of steps is the light weight and packability. They aren't for everyone. The only way to know is to give them an honest shake. If you like them, they are a real advantage.
 

Attachments

  • 2TC hunt kit.jpg
    2TC hunt kit.jpg
    516.7 KB · Views: 46
  • ring all day.jpg
    ring all day.jpg
    496.3 KB · Views: 45

I have a bone to pick with some of you...

How come none of you ROS guys have told me just how incredibly amazing, stable and comfortable a ROS is for saddle hunting? I’m just kidding, but I seriously never gave the concept a try until now. I thought it would just have more problems than solutions. Now I only have like 6 hours on a ROS...
saddlehunter.com
 
Bullman platform steps are top notch, I run them with and without a pursuit platform. Both setups are comfy and lightweight.
 
I like to set a half ring on the opposite side of my platform a little higher then the platform. Doesn’t really accomplish shedding weight but I 2tc so my overall weight isn’t an issue
 
All of my presets are a ROS made from bolts. I use 4 bolts in a cross pattern and have no problem sitting dark to dark. If things change up and i need to move i use four squirrels steps on an OCB strap. My boots are only a pair of Keen hikers and me feet never give me problems. Most of my weight is in the saddle.
 
Trees I hunt I'd be seriously limited with a ROS. Very few pole shaped trees, so I usually have a limb or two in the way, preventing me from moving around the tree. Might be waist high, might be head high, but either way, it's hard to move. The platform lets me turn around as much as needed, so I don't have a weak side shot.

Having said that, I may invest in a ROS before next season anyway, to take in when I know the exact tree I want to hunt is suitable for it. The tree I was in for my last sit this year is a perfect candidate for that.

I'll always take the platform instead if I'm just winging it.
 
My first year I hunted with 5 bullman steps as my ros. Hated them. My steps would slide on the tree no matter how tight I got the ratchet strap. After that I switched to the ridge runner with two steps on the back side for a combination ros platform. That platform is very comfortable and very solid but i didn't like the way it marks up trees. I hunt on a lumber companies tree farm and didn't want to mark up their trees. So I bought the pioneer steps which are no longer available and have never touched the platform after that. Even on other properties that it wouldn't matter. I use 6 of them on the tree hopper ocb and love them. I think I've used them the last 3 years now.
 
I spent a week out of state hunting Ky last year. I took my platform out one time only because those platform steps from Bullman are so comfortable I could easily spend all day on them so my platform stayed in the truck. I’ve always been a ROS guy for short hunts (4 hours or less) but with the new Bullman steps platforms might be a complete thing of the past for me (with the possible exception of the new hyper lite platform that trophyline is dropping this summer)
 
1201.jpgplatforms are not ultra light.when im not on branches i use 4 steps 2 on each side close enough that each foot is on 2 steps the inside two at 5 o clock and 7 o clock and just cam the strap down at an angle like guys do with stix...i set up on one side of the trail with a backdrop behind me wind in my face to shoot the strong side .idont set up randomly in the middle of trails or worry about walking around the tree there is no shot there.i also dont mind a little movement of the steps so i dont need an ocb or ratchet.you have better stability to move than you do with your feet side by side on a platform....and if you set up right to one side like you should playing the wind you dont need to twirl around like a ballerina ..platforms need steps....steps dont need platforms.
 

Attachments

  • 2030.jpg
    2030.jpg
    294.3 KB · Views: 27
Last edited:
tailgunner said:
View attachment 100500platforms are not ultra light.when im not on branches i use 4 steps 2 on each side close enough that each foot is on 2 steps the inside two at 5 o clock and 7 o clock and just cam the strap down at an angle like guys do with stix...i set up on one side of the trail with a backdrop behind me wind in my face to shoot the strong side .idont set up randomly in the middle of trails or worry about walking around the tree there is no shot there.i also dont mind a little movement of the steps so i dont need an ocb or ratchet.you have better stability to move than you do with your feet side by side on a platform....and if you set up right to one side like you should playing the wind you dont need to twirl around like a ballerina ..platforms need steps....steps dont need platforms.
Click to expand...
Rings of steps.


I use a ROS for short sits. I can’t hack it for long or all day hunts though and usually use them in conjunction with a platform.
 
Being new to saddle hunting last fall, I read up on as much as I was able to process and primarily used climbing sticks with a Trophyline EDP platofrm. Since I had several Ameristep strap-on steps from years ago, I decided to build my own ROS and only needed the OCB, which I got as a Christmas gift. The setup is pretty much ready to go, so as soon as I have ample time to take them into the woods, I plan to test this setup at a single stick height. The suggestion to double the steps for added comfort is appreciated....and I will definitely keep that in mind. Since I typically set my platform just above the height of my top stick upper step, I find that I use that extra footing to expand my range of motion to my strong side. Any other tips from those who have used ROS extensively?
 
Alaska at Heart said:
Being new to saddle hunting last fall, I read up on as much as I was able to process and primarily used climbing sticks with a Trophyline EDP platofrm. Since I had several Ameristep strap-on steps from years ago, I decided to build my own ROS and only needed the OCB, which I got as a Christmas gift. The setup is pretty much ready to go, so as soon as I have ample time to take them into the woods, I plan to test this setup at a single stick height. The suggestion to double the steps for added comfort is appreciated....and I will definitely keep that in mind. Since I typically set my platform just above the height of my top stick upper step, I find that I use that extra footing to expand my range of motion to my strong side. Any other tips from those who have used ROS extensively?
Click to expand...
I agree with most or all of what John Eberhart says about them. He has several videos on them on youtube.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top