tree steps, climbing sticks, etc...

[James Wrenn]

I too like the rapid rails.No place to catch on if you slip or fall.Go up quick and easy and I can hunt off the top rail with a treesuit without needing extra steps in the tree.They are a bit bulkier to carry than the lone wolf but I still prefer them.

[Doc Nock]

Dave,

Last I talked to Wayne Prejeans, the originator and holder of patents on all the Performance Outdoor Products (Patriot/Outfitter stands, rapid rails, etc) he didn't "sell" his company.

He agreed to license Ameristep to make his products. He still works for them designing stuff and doing QC.

I too have the patriot and the outfitter...and 2 sets of 4 RRails. I can't leave stands so I never bought more...but with the swivel seat, the accessory ports, accessory arms they are the only stands I use. All my others collect dust!

The good thing with Ameristep is that with their mass production ability, NonTypical got into Cabellas, and other shops where before, you had to buy direct or at a show Wayne attended.

When I was selling at a retail shop, 2 years ago, we had his RR and they sold a 4pack for $105. They nested and I could easily get 22' with 4 if I stretched a bit at the ground on the first one!

[Dave Bulla]

Doc,

That's understandable I guess.  I'm sure it's tough for an individual to compete with companies who manufacture on a world scale.  

Any idea why the weight went up on the patriot?  It's about 50% heavier than it was.  The price has come down about that much too.

[mnbwhtr]

I have lw and gorrila sticks. Weight wise you can't beat the lw but for amore secure and stable feeling I use the gorrila sticks, like a rock.

[Dave Bulla]

Had a funny thought today.  Went to Bass Pro shops and looked at the rapid rails (I thnk $107 for 4 aluminum) Looked at several hang on stands for $150 to over $300 then when leaving and outside the store on the way to the parking lot there is a 16 foot tall tripod stand with a swivel bucket seat like out of a bass boat, a ladder all the way up the front, padded rail all the way around up top.  This thing was HUGE.  Must have been enough metal to make 8 or 10 tree stands in it.  Price, $299.

If they can make a 16 foot tripod for $299, why the heck would a couple top of the line climbing sticks and a real good hang on stand cost 4 or 5 hundred bucks??????

[toddster]

I have used just about everything that has come out except for the LW.  I hunt strictly public so they are mandatory for me.  I used the rapid rail, gorilla, cabela's, JIM Stepp, yada-yada.  I found that It needs to be reasonable light, 2-let me ascend the tree one time, hang stand and hunt, 3-be stable, 4-simple (usually dark when putting up, cann't find dropped screws in leaves).  In the years of trying differnet things, cabelas aluminum stick ladder has shined, and Jim Stepp's steps.