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Wild Edge SteppLadder on Pine Trees

jmbknvc

jmbknvc

Active Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2018
Messages
105
Location
Central Arkansas
Most of the information about the steps, it looks like most people are using the Wild Edge SteppLadder on hardwoods. Has anyone used them on pine trees and if so was there any issues? I am wonder due to the softer bark that breaks off. I remember that from using a climber in the past.

Will look back on their website for information also.
 
I’ve only fooled with them a little in my yard, and it was on pines. Every now and then, I noticed I would cam it, bark would break a little, so I would un cam it and slide up just a hair and cam again and it’s good. Yeah the bark and sap will get up inside the tubes of the standoffs, but I’m probably gonna fill them with Great Stuff to see if that helps stop it from going in.


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If they the steps get sticky, best bet is to use a little mineral spirits to take it off. Ropes are a challenge. It gets even worse when climbing trees with pitch shallow pitch blisters like balsam fir.

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Hailey_Phillips said:
I’ve only fooled with them a little in my yard, and it was on pines. Every now and then, I noticed I would cam it, bark would break a little, so I would un cam it and slide up just a hair and cam again and it’s good. Yeah the bark and sap will get up inside the tubes of the standoffs, but I’m probably gonna fill them with Great Stuff to see if that helps stop it from going in.


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Click to expand...
Yes!! The ole double cam is pretty much SOP for me. Even on hardbarked trees it helps with a rock solid cam. The first cam over stretches and tightens the knot a bit.
 
I had issues with softer trees as well. There are past convos about too so you are not alone. It takes practice to get the hang of it. I wound up getting Hawks though because too many times I was stepping on it and it would slide down. On the same practice trees in my yard the hawk helium sticks had zero issues
 
I want to stress that climbing with stepps is a lot like saddle hunting. It's going to take more time than you think to get used to, but the benefits are huge if you stick it out. My first several climbs with the stepps were not fun, but neither was my first hunt in a trophyline! Now that I'm used to them, I can hunt any tree that I could with sticks. Set-up time is very similar, and you simply cannot beat the packability. A properly set step WILL NOT budge. Even on a soft tree.
 
Nutterbuster said:
I climb pines no problem. Heck, that's all we have in some places. International Paper don't plant no oak trees!

They will make the bark come off sometimes, and it's a little trickier to get a good cam, but it's absolutely doable.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. Potlatch thinks hardwood is a dirty word also, and understand.
 
BassBoysLLP said:
If they the steps get sticky, best bet is to use a little mineral spirits to take it off. Ropes are a challenge. It gets even worse when climbing trees with pitch shallow pitch blisters like balsam fir.

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Click to expand...

Will have to remember that tip, thanks.
 
Nutterbuster said:
I want to stress that climbing with stepps is a lot like saddle hunting. It's going to take more time than you think to get used to, but the benefits are huge if you stick it out. My first several climbs with the stepps were not fun, but neither was my first hunt in a trophyline! Now that I'm used to them, I can hunt any tree that I could with sticks. Set-up time is very similar, and you simply cannot beat the packability. A properly set step WILL NOT budge. Even on a soft tree.
Click to expand...

Understand about the learning curve, and hopefully by the end of the season I will have it down. When steps come in the practice will begin.
 
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Not to distract from the original question. ......does low expansion foam work well for quieting the stepps somewhat? Thought about trying that on mine.
 
BigAl said:
Not to distract from the original question. ......does low expansion foam work well for quieting the stepps somewhat? Thought about trying that on mine.
Click to expand...
Some folks have done that. @BassBoysLLP puts foam ear plugs in the end of his. I wrapped the v on mine tightly with vet wrap, and that was good enough for me. I am deadly quiet with mine.
 
BigAl said:
Not to distract from the original question. ......does low expansion foam work well for quieting the stepps somewhat? Thought about trying that on mine.
Click to expand...
Yes. However, I just add a cheap ear plug to holes. The foam works. It's just messy and adds a bit more weight.

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X2 on wrapping them with camo form, stealth strips, or vet tape. Ebay is your friend for camo form. You can pick it up for less than 3 dollars a roll. If I had to choose to do one thing, it would be to wrap them.

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BassBoysLLP said:
X2 on wrapping them with camo form, stealth strips, or vet tape. Ebay is your friend for camo form. You can pick it up for less than 3 dollars a roll. If I had to choose to do one thing, it would be to wrap them.

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Click to expand...
What exactly does the tape do? Just quiet them down?
 
Jajtner01 said:
What exactly does the tape do? Just quiet them down?
Click to expand...
Yes. Just like climbing sticks. Both are very quiet if you're careful. Tape and foam is the insurance policy.

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