I am considering making some like this. They are basically screw in steps that have eye's for rope instead. Apparently they use to be called deer me's rope on steps. Has anyone used these? They will have three points of contact which will help mitigate kick out, but likely not all together. Thoughts?

Met with a blacksmith today who said he could make these fairly easily using round 3/8" carbon steel.
What size/length rope should I use?

I had a few rope steps years ago (not the brand you mention) never reallly felt safe to me and kinda noisy. When pulling myself up they’d shift around some if you didn’t keep downward pressure. I started working using them on settings where I was hanging stand and taking out bottom 2 steps to keep ppl out of my stands (hunting private landowners that would give permits to anyone). What few lock-ons I still use I prefer rapid rails nowadays.

I wouldn’t mind doing rapid rails if they were aluminum, if not I’ll but climbing sticks. I guess I was just trying to take a cheaper route. Thought the hawk helium’s are only $99

I was just looking at a rope mod for my Lone Wolf sticks. They were using 9-10 mm diameter rope about 6.5 feet long. Lot of people were cutting up sections from a 30 foot Muddy safety line. The Lone Wolf straps are around 5-6 ft long. Check out the link below. There are 17 pages of info on rope selections ratings, lengths, etc.

Lon Wolf Climbing Stick Rope Mod

I think the rope mods are safe but it seems like they would not be as sturdy especially with the step. I was listening to a podcast this morning and a guy using a saddle said the same thing. Lots of people do it so I would never say not to but the straps work good enough for me. There is nothing out there that I’ve seen or read that makes me want to switch.

At this point why not get some climbing spikes? Hang all your stands and just have one set of spikes to climb. Have a step or two at the top near the stand to transition. I did this years ago to keep folk from climbing my stand. I was hunting an Air Force base and it would happen often.

Went to the camp and did the mod to my XOP sticks today. Thanks for the tip!

I meant stick alternatives not stick upgrades, but I guess you could use this upgrade on modified climbing steps too.

I'd just go with the hawk sticks

Taking a poll. Will I get hurt using these?

YES

They seem quite stable and it’s breeze putting them up; however, it’s probably best to get some sticks and be done with it

Nail 2 of them together and you’ll be a lot better off.

They’re honestly pretty solid. It’s very hard to get them to kick out.

Not no but hell no. I dont want to be paralyzed because I tried to save a few dollars

Why not just shoot yourself? You knew the answer before you ask.

Get some sticks. I tried strap on steps one year. They suck.

I can remember when I was in my early 20's and we would build stands out of wood and use 2x4's nailed into the tree as steps. I am almost 50 now and those memories terrify me!!! For the love of God, either spend $50 on a set of climbing sticks and $20 on a life line or sell all your crap and stop hunting!!!!!!!! Being cheap shouldn't be a goal in life!!! Being able to wipe your own ass and not feed out of a straw should be a goal!!! Hunting is not a cheap hobby. Don't risk your life. Many have lived to regret such a decision. Good luck.

Well this thread has come full circle. I’ve bought the API climbing sticks. I might use two of the blocks that I made at the bottum to get a little bit higher. At least that way there is less risk of getting hurt. I was able to justify buying more hunting gear buy telling my fiancé, “you want me to be safe right.” Haha