Screw in steps

[onthehunt]

Guys, reading another post from a barner got me thinking about an accident my uncle had a year or two ago. He was climbing out of his stand and the screw-in pulled loose. He did not only fall, but when he felt it go he reached out for the tree and caught the next step under the armpit which proceeded to open him up to about his forearm:(:mad:. Luckily he was able to make it out of the woods on his own and get to a nearby farm house. He is recovered now but took a chop saw to every step he owned. He only uses sticks or rapid rails now. Just be carefull out there and it wouldn't hurt to triple check those steps that have been left in the tree for awhile.

[wreckless]

When I screw my steps in I leave them if I like the stand. I rotate between 5. When you screw in and out they become loose in the tree and pull out. If you think your going to use the tree again just leave them.

[ub1243]

with 15 stands hanging, i remove every time. some trees the wholes are good for 4 years, others only two.
but it was a eye opener, glad it was the fourth step and not the 14th.

[ACEarcher]

My most favorite piece of property to hunt is techniqually private, but their is no tellin who walks on it. So I screw my steps out every time I leave. I try tp make sure I catch the same threads every time. I do have one tree that I made a big mistake on. Well for years because I was in college I couldn't put forth all or the amount I wanted to hunting. So this year I graduated and I'm using loc-ons. One of my best stands (I can't hunt it till the last two weeks of archery so thick) I always used a climber. So I decided to put a loc-on on the same exact tree I go up. Yeah well here that tree is a Hicory. You know how hard it was to screw those steps in?!?! Every step was instant sweat factory. I haven't hunted it yet, but I'm going to have to come in the night before and put them in. I don't have to carry my climber and more, but those steps are a pain in the arse putting them in at 5am. I guess I traded one pain for another.

[fishy]

just pull the last few out so they are out of reach and when you put it up initially bring a cordless and drill a pilot hole

[bigolebuck]

onthehunt: I must know your uncle because the exact thing happened to a friend of mine back a few years ago, I just got done posting it the other day! He was exiting his stand and slipped, Caught under the armpit and hung in the tree until he was able to free himself! OntheHunt Is your uncles name SAM?
If it's not your uncle that I'm talking about then this should be a lesson for everyone still using screw in steps to be very careful climbing in and out of your stand. These types of accidents happen more than you think, so make sure to wear your safety belts and be very careful on every step....

[QuintonZ29]

Happened to my dad and he got hurt too...Its happened to me but I was able to hold myself up...It is a fact and it does happen.. Be careful

[HUNTIN-NUT]

That happens with everyone at some time with screw ins. Since I have gotten older and safety becomes more of an issue along with the fact I am not as limber as I used to be I am to the point of only using the climbing sticks. A whole lot more to hold on to when going up and down. For those rare events that I do have to remove steps for theft reasons - I use the clip on steps where you leave the bolts in the tree and clip the steps on and off as you go up or down. A whole lot faster than srewing them in time after time.

[onthehunt]

My uncles name is Mark, bigolebuck. Just goes to show you how dangerous it can be.

[2seahunter]

I had the Cobra brand folding screw in steps years ago.:naughty: I was setting the stand up to hunt later in the week. I was about five steps up getting ready to put in sixth one and the step I was standing on broke!!!!!!!! It did not come out, it broke. I was able to grab ahold of the tree slid down to the next step and did a back flop from about 10 feet in the air. I did not get hurt from the fall, Thank God. But, I ripped the skin from inside arms sliding down the tree. (Only wearing carhart bibs with a T shirt.)
I wrote Cobra and they sent me 3 new steps:mad: I spent about $30 in tape and dressing. needless to say the old steps along with the 3 new ones went in the trash.

[bigolebuck]

I bought 2 more 16' climbing sticks at Dick's Sprorting Goods a few weeks back, and I only paid $29.99 a piece... Worth the money, especially if you like hunting with lock on stands... They also have 15' ladder stands ready to go for $50.00

[ub1243]

They also have 15' ladder stands
thats halfway up. lol

[vonhess]

Guys, when you put your steps in put them on both sides of the tree so when you climb your hands and feet are on the sides of the tree and your chest is against the tree and clear of the steps. (Like the steps in the old telephone poles). This way if one lets go you wont get hung up on one. Also screw them all the way in to the tree until you cant turn them any more. Be safe out there. Will

[onthehunt]

I use those climbing sticks too. buy the extra 4' extension and 20' is plenty high:). I used to be the young buck who hung stands in the stratosphere but not anymore. A good tree with good cover and you don't have to worry:thup:

[bigolebuck]

I use those climbing sticks too. buy the extra 4' extension and 20' is plenty high:). I used to be the young buck who hung stands in the stratosphere but not anymore. A good tree with good cover and you don't have to worry:thup:

I usually go up 20' also! Cant beat the price on them and they go up in minutes! Nice and easy and a heck of a lot safer...

[onthehunt]

I also bought the rail system and wasn't as impressed. When it gets cold they get a little noisy due to movement on the tree because of a poor strap system. Add a ratchet strap to each rail and they will be just fine:thup:. Great for those big ole swamp maples:cool: