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WildEdge SteppLadder

Dopo87

Active Member
Joined
Sep 19, 2016
Messages
182
Location
Pennsylvania
Last year I bought two bundles of the steps with the intentions of using them as a quick method to getting up a tree, I felt as though they are meant more for a pre-setup than a run and gun setup. What's everyone else's thoughts on this?
 
I am using the Wild Edge stepps and I like them but my buddy can help get up a tree faster with climbing sticks
 
I'm a big fan of them!! Rock solid. It takes a little practice using them but once you get past the learning curve they are awesome!!
 
Sometimes I get them to be rock solid and sometimes not so much.. I initially thought I'd use them as my platform but stability seemed to be an issue for me.
 
Sometimes I get them to be rock solid and sometimes not so much.. I initially thought I'd use them as my platform but stability seemed to be an issue for me.
Was stability an issue because of side pressure or because they were tough to attach solidly to the tree?
 
And did you get the slack out of the line? Takes some weighted pressure before I was really able to lock them in solid
 
Was stability an issue because of side pressure or because they were tough to attach solidly to the tree?

I actually love the stepps for my platform because they hold up great against side pressure!


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I just bought 3 that came today to try for a platform. They are awesome! They get very solid. I'm gonna have to wrap them in stealth strips though. I see myself using the three as a platform or two in conjunction with Ernie's platform. While I do think they are a really great product they wouldn't be a good fit for my long walks as I have lighter ways to climb and for the shorter walks sticks with aiders or dare I say a climber at times lol.
 
I picked up a set this year as well. I've decided I'm not letting myself use anything else this year. I really like how compact the package is...so I'm going to try to force myself through the learning curve. I'm not concerned so much with speed getting up the tree...I need to slow down anyway. I have a tendency to rush setting up, ultimately making more noise than I would like.
 
I'd be curious to hear how long it takes to get to hunting height.

it may be a while before I know - my first saddle will be the kestrel, so I'll have a bunch of new crap to figure out and practice with here in the coming weeks - and some credit cards bills LOL. I'm also curious how many stepps I'll need once I learn to use the aider as well - my "plan" is to use stepps for the platform....another thing to master... Probably going to be a season where I split between traditional stands and experimenting with the saddle until I get more proficient - been reading this forum until my head hurts the past week :confused:
 
it may be a while before I know - my first saddle will be the kestrel, so I'll have a bunch of new crap to figure out and practice with here in the coming weeks - and some credit cards bills LOL. I'm also curious how many stepps I'll need once I learn to use the aider as well - my "plan" is to use stepps for the platform....another thing to master... Probably going to be a season where I split between traditional stands and experimenting with the saddle until I get more proficient - been reading this forum until my head hurts the past week :confused:
I'm in the same boat. I'm new to saddle hunting and have a Kestrel on the way. I asked because I'm trying to decide on a climbing method as well as a platform.
 
I'm in the same boat. I'm new to saddle hunting and have a Kestrel on the way. I asked because I'm trying to decide on a climbing method as well as a platform.

heard Andrew from Wild Edge on the 9 Fingers podcast and that piqued my interest - anytime I went mobile I used an old, heavy cheap climber, so shedding bulk and weight was top of mind. My hope is a lot of patience and practice will eventually dial it in - patience I have - time to practice both the saddle and the stepps will be the challenge. I'm certain its going to take a lot longer for a while, so I'll have to really plan out entry times, plus do a lot of practice in the dark so I'm not clowning around doing an unintended deer drive when the day comes to get out there.
 
it may be a while before I know - my first saddle will be the kestrel, so I'll have a bunch of new crap to figure out and practice with here in the coming weeks - and some credit cards bills LOL. I'm also curious how many stepps I'll need once I learn to use the aider as well - my "plan" is to use stepps for the platform....another thing to master... Probably going to be a season where I split between traditional stands and experimenting with the saddle until I get more proficient - been reading this forum until my head hurts the past week :confused:
I bought two 8 packs to get me up to hunting height.
 
So I believe I got pretty efficient with mine. What has work well for me is that I take the step and let it sag below my rope and tie the step somewhat tight to the tree. Then I saw it back a forth just enough to kinda work out the slack. Finally I lift it above the rope and cam it over. On a set of 12 I usually get around eight on the first try. And I'll be honest I hated them when I first got them. I even called to do a return shipment. But after about ten times or so of setting up I became pretty good with em. And The movement is not all that much. I have not used them for a platform yet because this will be my first saddle season. But climbing a tree even standing on one side of them while hanging stands I have never had one feel like it was giving
 
I just ordered a set with an aider - let the learning continue.....

I don't think you will be dissatisfied. Practice tying the stepp not per instructions and locking down the step. The more you do it, it becomes 2nd nature. I'm loving the aider also. I use 3 stepps for my platform and they are rock solid. Also, if you have any questions Andrew @wildedgeinc is awesome to deal with.
 
Mine just came in the mail yesterday. Someone mentioned the rope stretching so I set it up on a light pole in the yard and cammedn one over. Did that a few times then double wrapped the rope and locked it down a few times tightening a little each time. I stretched the rope about three inches. I went ahead and did the same with the rest of them. So after tying the knot about 20 times yesterday it got pretty easy. I put it against the tree with the point sticking against my chest then use two hands for the knots when needed. I also got the aider and it's going to take a lot of practice to get the four feet per step I was hoping for. Three is no problem but four isn't happening. You would have to be able to tie another step at eight foot up. Or clip the aider to the one at four feet and then try to reach between your feet to unclup the aider and bring it up after you have climbed four feet.
 
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