There's all kind of gadgets out there nowadays. I'm more of a simple and cheap kinda guy as long as it's safe and effective. I normally keep a 50' rope in truck or on atv. Climb to top of sticks, screw In a T-screw or a large screw in step, tie rope to stand, pull rope over step. Stand at bottom of tree and hoist stand until it gets about 2' from step. Tie it off to tree, step, atv, etc. climb up and fasten your stand. Simple, cheap, safe and easy