Step It Up With Screw In Tree Steps

Screw in tree steps are a light, versatile option for getting up to hunting height. Their small size allows for easy transport in a pack, and they can even be carried inside a cargo pants pocket. Constructed of steel, there is potential for clanking, which we all know can be the ultimate hunt-killer, especially when hunting close to bedding. Therefore, tightly securing them in a pack, or to one another, until needed is essential for a silent entry. Screwing in steps by hand does require a certain amount of energy that can make for a sweaty and scent-filled adventure, particularly in the Southeastern heat of late summer. To help alleviate this, drill attachments are available for quick and easy installation, but their use, obviously, should be reserved for preset locations that won’t be hunted immediately. A drill is by no means necessary. In South Carolina, where screw in tree stand steps are permitted on private land, I used them all season during the Fall of 2020, simply screwing in each step by hand as I went up the tree.

One last remark on screw in tree steps before diving into the best options: be sure to check local regulations for where you will be hunting, as some states prohibit their use, particularly on public land. If prohibited, climbing sticks are a great option.