• 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

Wild edge steps

C

CloverBoy42

New Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2021
Messages
2
I am thinking about using 2 Wild Edge Steps as my platform. If you have used them, what feedback can you give me? Do I need two to get full mobility around the tree, or would 1 step work? New to saddles and trying to keep the cost down.
 
Do you plan on using them to climb as well? I use them to climb with a 6 step Black Diamond aider. I use 3 steps with the aider and can get around 20' then another 2ft or so with setting my platform. I never used them for my platform or a ring of steps however I know some do. If I were to use them as my platform I would want two of them for my platform and then I would use a ROS for mobility around the tree. You can pick up a set of 4 ROS say from Bullman (thats what I use) for a decent price. I know for me personally I don't know if I could do WE steps as my platform for 4 hours. However, I never tried either.
 
I’m actually SRT climbing. I don’t think I would spend a lot of time standing on them, mostly just using them to move around.
 
I used 1 on my primary side and a ROS to get around the tree. Found I preferred the ROS only and then moved on to other climbing methods. Use the steps for getting access into the hang on lately, have a set of twins where 1 is a great climbing tree but the other is a better hang on tree, so we added the steps above the 20' ladder to help get you comfortable on that tree and a stepp on the other tree to help you step into the hang on.

Sent from my Pixel 4 using Tapatalk
 
I climb with WE steps and use a ROS. My ROS is just slightly above top WE step. I sometimes use top WE step for a place to give my foot a break from the ROS.
 
I think that's a lot to carry and fiddle with just for casual foot placement. i own and love WE steps, i wouldn't use two for that application though. maybe a OOAL scout?
 
This year one of my pre-season activities was to chop up some LW sticks, make some amsteel chains, and put some EWO double steps on them in an attempt to try something new. I also bought a mini drill from Mark at Treehopper along with a package of 25 bolts - again, just to try something new.

What did I find out? I can't wait until Saturday when I can head back out into the swamps - with my WEI Stepps. They are the absolute best option for me when used in conjunction with my DIY (CAYG) 3 step aider made with tubular nylon. I carry 5 in a pouch I made; 4 of them gets me to 20+ feet and an extra at the top to have a 2-step platform which is really all I would ever need for any tree less than the diameter of a medicine ball. They are easy to carry, simple to install, safer than any other system I have tried, reliable, and effective.

I replaced the WEI rope with some 1" flat webbing and they are MUCH easier to pack at the end of the hunt because the ropes take up lots of space in my bag.

For what I need them for (answering the OP's question), yes - 2 steps would most likely serve you well as a platform. You'll want to practice the 'knot' to be proficient and also practice putting them at the same height for a platform. That second part can get tricky for me, but if it is off a smidge I don't sweat it too badly.
 
CloverBoy42 said:
I am thinking about using 2 Wild Edge Steps as my platform. If you have used them, what feedback can you give me? Do I need two to get full mobility around the tree, or would 1 step work? New to saddles and trying to keep the cost down.
Click to expand...

It’s not the best method in the world but it definitely works. I’ve done it and it’s actually not a bad option. I’m a big fan of the wicked edge perch. Compact, lightweight, easy to carry, easy to setup, and offers great mobility around the tree.
 
I use my top step as my platform, and never had an issue. Before I got WE steps, I considered climbing SRT, but it's rare to find limbs low enough in the areas I hunt. Lots of trees with clear trunks.
 
I've used bolts to climb and three WE steps as a platform. Actualy
thinking of going back to them.
 
I used the wilde edge steps before knaider swaider and ring of steps it's to much fiddle factor to be honest.I wouldn't use a ring of steps it's very uncomfortable that's why platforms are so popular. I like use a hybrid method with my ridge runner and 1 squirrel step and 1 climbing stick to move around a tree for my weak side shot to be move around the tree for cover.
 
Last edited:
CloverBoy42 said:
I am thinking about using 2 Wild Edge Steps as my platform. If you have used them, what feedback can you give me? Do I need two to get full mobility around the tree, or would 1 step work? New to saddles and trying to keep the cost down.
Click to expand...
i use WE, as a platform I used the perch (it's pretty good)/ predator is better. the steps aren't that good for a platform (they work, but) you'll need real stiff shoes and it's hard to get them set right, for me anyway. they don't stick out far enough to stand on for long periods. yeah setup sucks, you'd need 3-4 i think
 
I wouldn't use a ring of steps it's very uncomfortable that's why platforms are so popular. I like use a hybrid method with my ridge runner of 1 squirrel step and 1 climbing stick to move around a tree for my weak side shot to be move around the tree for cover.
 
what ever works you i just like the squirrl step because its light wieght quick to strap on the tree and it doesnt take that much room in my pack. I tried useing wilde edge steps as climbing meth and ring of steps it does work no doubt about it. From my experience its to much fiddle factor and to much time from experience and spent at least 10 hrs of practing with it. In the end whatever works for you.
 
CloverBoy42 said:
I’m actually SRT climbing. I don’t think I would spend a lot of time standing on them, mostly just using them to move around.
Click to expand...
I started out standing on two steps. It wasn't bad. You do lose a little "easy mobility " around but I found There wasn't that much I couldn't cover. I think set up is more critical, trying to keep the majority of expected deer movement to your strong side...... I know easier said than done.
 
I personally think the size of the average tree you hunt from has a lot to do with whether or not you like stepps.
I usually prefer volleyball sized trees or slightly larger. It is slightly more difficult for me to use stepps on what I would consider to be big trees, simply because it is more difficult to pull your step higher than the strap prior to camming it over on larger trees.

I hunted last night from a maple that at hunting height was only about a 6" diameter tree. With 2 steps I could easily shoot any angle I wanted.
 
I think for most hunter's I am just guessing 90%
Are find ring of steps is to find out it's uncomfortable. It's works for sure for most unrealistic. I disagree with the basketball tree theory. I would rather have tree slightly bigger than my body frame so can move around tree for cover.
 
This will be my first season in a saddle. I have a Shikar one stick with a monarch platform and a wild edge step to either side. I plan on carrying a third step to put on the backside of a larger tree. So far so good in practice. Let’s hope it translates to some venison! I bought five more wild edge steps in hopes of using a knaider swaider. But it just feels like too much of an awkward angle for me coming down with my long legs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top