FAQ - Saddle Hunting Gear

Frequently Asked Questions

The Use of each step is the main difference.
The Platform Step was designed specifically to be used as a Ring of Steps and specifically for your comfort and stability while Saddle Hunting.
The Apex Step, although originally designed for dual purposes of climbing and as a Ring of Steps have an extremely aggressive surface that has been discovered to be undesirable while climbing. Therefore, the Apex Step is only recommended as a Ring of Steps while Saddle Hunting.
The Apex 2.0 is the most versatile of the 3 steps being designed for climbing but also with a mind towards fighting side pressure. The Apex 2.0 is a fantastic step for climbing with any type of Mobile hunting and works just as well as a Ring of Steps while Saddle Hunting.

The Platform Step is 2.5 inches wide and is nearly 3.5 inches long. The platform of the step is broken up into 4 surface angles to create a comfortable surface regardless of the angle in which you contact the step.
The Apex Step is nearly 1 7/8 inches wide where the step contacts the tree and has nearly 3 1/4 inches of foot surface length.
The Apex 2.0 is also nearly 1 7/8 inches wide where the step contacts the tree and has nearly 3 1/2 inches of foot surface length.

ALL of our steps and attachments are 3rd party Lab Tested to meet ASTM standards with a rating to 300lbs. (That is Total Weight – You and your gear)

Short answer- It’s better to have and not need than to need and not have.
Ultimately, this is personal preference. I like to hunt trees that are in the range of basketball size at hunting height. I regularly carry 6 steps for my Ring of Steps. If a tree is very small you can take the extra step(s) off if need be. However, I do advise against fewer steps as the fewer steps you have requires larger movements to move around on them if positioning for a shot. You don’t want to fumble at the moment of truth! Additionally, you will find that more often than not, your original direction you set up facing will not be completely satisfactory and the extra steps allow you to slightly, or drastically, tweak the direction you are facing much more easily.

The honest answer- It depends. 18” per step is the universal measurement and the distance recommended by the Tree Stand Manufacturers Assoc. (TMA) and we do recommend following this recommendation. This distance will allow an average height man to be able to climb with minimal strain. This distance could be slightly lower if you are significantly shorter. Although not recommended, if a person is taller or can achieve a longer stride, one could stretch their step distance to whatever they find reasonable and safe. Safety is of utmost importance. That said, you can take the height you wish to hunt and divide it by 18″ to get a pretty solid idea of the number of steps you need to meet your desired hunting height.

Once again honestly- It depends on the area you are hunting. The short answer is as high as you need to be able to shoot through the canopy. Ideally you are covered in and by the canopy. If the area is thicker with shorter trees, you will hunt lower to be able to shoot through the canopy. If there are older taller trees and few if any shorter trees you can and will want to hunt higher. Personally, I carry 12 steps to climb and seldom climb over 20 feet even in open woods. In thicker lower canopy areas, I may hunt as low as 10 feet or even less! I believe using the Ring of Steps allows me to look more like a large tree branch and therefore lets me hunt lower than what some may recommend, up to 35 feet. Additionally, if you have a highly pressured deer herd, they may have a tendency to look up and may want to hunt the higher recommendations.