Anyone using these on each hunt ? I mean put em up and take em down each hunt. I have lock ons scattered around on private property. I was talking to a fella who bowhunts public land all over the country and he uses sticks and lock ons exclusively.

Lots of folks.

I’ve used them 5of 6 hunts this yer so far. They are ok. Only benefit is ability to climb almost any tree.

I prefer lock ons and screw in steps if I'm being mobile.

I have used lock ons for a long time. I have the old woodpecker drill so that will tell you how long. I just never imagined using lock ons and sticks each time I hunt. I have been researching the saddle hunting but I don't think I could draw 70 lbs.

What's the drill for?

drill a hole and insert a #8 bolt into the hole, repeat and climb. Take bolts out on the way down.

I like using them because it’s a whole lot more quiet than a climber. However I wouldn’t use one on public land myself just because to me they are a pain to get set up. I’ll carry a climber to public land 99% of the time.

I know the woodpecker drill is a old school way. But I really like it. I think you could pre drill trees before season with a drill. And just put in and take out bolts each time. Would be so easy verses sticks. I use climbers and own a handful of lock-one. But I do like the style.

I just don't see the benefit of using a drill over a screw in step.

I love lock ons, but it wouldn't benefit me to set them up each hunt. I dread setting them up with my fat ass.

You only need about 15 bolts for unlimited setups.

Grew up hunting this way. My grandfather had all of Jerry Simmons little gadgets. We lived close to Jerry, loved going by his “shop”. We setup up lock-ons with pre-drilled holes, and carried a bag of “steps” everywhere for climbing. Only problem was getting the adults to drill the holes closer together for the kids. They would drill them too far apart sometimes and make the step too far. The closer the step the safer.

Since we can't drill holes in trees on public, I use the Wild Edge steps. Jim Stepp came up with them years ago, and now some other guy owns the patent. They can be a little bit of a b*tch to set up, but once you get the hang of it you can get up and down a tree no problem. I also use an "aider" to get higher with fewer actual steps.

P.S. I'm a saddle hunter, and I don't draw 70lbs.

7 screw in steps would get my platform to 20' back in my college days. I use a couple of extra nowadays.

Ol Jerry was a good Guy, My tip broke on my bit and he met me on the side of the interstate to get me another one in the snow. He was headed to his hunting club. I still have 2 drills and use them occasionaly but prefer sticks these days. Bet ive got 200 bolts

All I use is a hang and hunt setup.
I hunt with lone wolf sticks and a XOP lock-on, I went this direction when I couldn't find a good tree to climb in Illinois and had to move 40 yards further into the woods than I wanted to and had a giant 8 slip right down field edge 20 yards from where I wanted to climb. I have gotten to where I have accumulated enough lock-ons that I will carry one into a spot I like set it up that hunt and pull my sticks out as I climb down the tree and leave the lock-on about 22 feet up, so all I have to carry back in are my 4 LW sticks. I can scale a tree quicker with this type setup than I could with my climber and I can hunt out of just about any tree.

As far as sticks, most folks are getting hawk helium sticks and cutting them down to 24 inches or something like that and moving the middle steps down to the bottom so there are only steps at the top and bottom of the sticks. Then they add a 1 step aider to each one and remove the strap that straps the stick to the tree and replacing them with daisy chains mad from 7/64 amsteel blue. I myself use the wild edge stepps with a knaider and swaider and can get to 20 feet with 4 steps that weigh 1 pound a piece. I hunt from a saddle and not a lock on but it’s the same climbing principle.

I hunt with a loc on and 2 muddy shorty sticks...I use the single stick climbing method. I carry a out 10lbs wortha stick an stand...i xant even work a regular climbing stand anymore

Can you explain (or better yet, post a video of) this "single stick climbing method"?

I keep sayin im gonna post one but im lazy....theys some on you tube but my way is easier than theirs ...ill see iff i cant make one soon...but...i have an 11mm dyneema climbing rope lanyard with 2 loops in the end ...and i wear a rock climbing harness...and a climbing carabiner.,..i hang a stick..climb up to the top step...hang my next stick bout hip high...climb to the top of it...slide my lanyard bout head high..sit back down in my harness reach down un do my stick....move it bout eye level..climb up and slide my lanyard up....have my stand on my back..usually only have to move it bout 3 times an im 20-25ft... Climb down i just reverse it. Leave my bow on the vround an tie my pull up rope to my harness an pull it up like that...i wear a bow vest so i dont need a backpack...unless im carryin my camera stuff..then i have an old backpack i keep my camera arm, fluid head..camera...etc.