Wild Edge Stepps vs. Out On A Limb Shikars: How High Can You Get?

[@mainemonty]

Jim is a bud of mine..he still hunts out of the stepps in his mid seventies...awesome dude..hunted with him many times this year...bow..rifle...muzzleloader...cheers

[@StaggsintheWild]

That’s awesome man!! Thanks for posting!

[@mainemonty]

@@StaggsintheWild no problem..if u ever want to interview Jim..he has some great stories..cheers

[@prestonginther5624]

I like the looks of those Wild Edge steps there light weight and affordable plus compact

[@scottpetermann4374]

Great Video! Price sure helped me make my decision... Also, Practice is Key! When you think you know what your doing practice some more!

[@joaxe12]

Great video showing cool alternative climbing methods! - "Aero" Joe 👍

[@johnhorvath2815]

Great video. Thanks

[@kellandavis7687]

Wild edge steps just seem less messy ,for lack of a better word. Especially when climbing up with them.

[@JBJHonez]

I’m really digging the steps. With what I spent on other systems I could have bought 1 8pc w.e. Steps and 2 seats and been better off.

[@Njjb122]

These videos make wild edge steps look alot better then sticks the steps can be good but some tree types they dont cam into very well they also bend relatively easy also when its dark outside the knaider and swaider is very tricky

[@JBJHonez]

@@Njjb122 thanks for the info. Most KZbin videos make everything look easy

[@midgetman4206]

@@Njjb122 DIY up some removable anchoring spikes. 1 for the step and another for the rope on the other side. Doesn't sound to difficult. Though I will admit that I have no experience with this sort of stuff, so I don't know how well that would work.

[@xXOUtrAgEouSXx38]

Thank you!!

[@brooklynoutdoorsman9969]

The first system looks awesome and simple can’t wait to start saddle hunting this year

[@StaggsintheWild]

You sure can walk in with a lot less bulk... the weight never really makes a huge deal for me, but the bulk of everything certainly does! Good luck, and let us know how your season goes!

[@brooklynoutdoorsman9969]

Staggs in the Wild yea I use to move stands and sticks all the time also I would scout and find really good spots in the woods but deep places just not carrying all that gear in there to hunt so I would hunt on the ground and it was tough I know with this system it will be like walking back there scouting and I will do let u know how the season goes thanks good luck be safe

[@alsbro1234]

@@brooklynoutdoorsman9969 how did the season go? Did you use the knaider swaider and we steps? Any tips im nee to saddle hunting and looking at my options

[@brooklynoutdoorsman9969]

@@alsbro1234 it worked out well this past season definitely got in some areas I would never bring bulky tree stands into got in quietly set up seen more activity more deer the naider and swaider worked out wonderful thinking of going to a 3 step Amstel aided this season but over all worked out lovely got a nice NY 8 pointer on the ground last season with the rifle in the saddle

[@alsbro1234]

@@brooklynoutdoorsman9969 congrats on the buck and thanks for the update on the steps. Just bought everything i need for the naider swaider and got the wild edge steps. Cant wait to be in the saddle

[@donovanstockton44]

I own both systems. Both are home runs.

[@JBJHonez]

Dang. Those are nice and seem easy to use once you practice

[@nasdaqgabe8020]

Staggs, are you still using steps or switches to sticks? And which would you recommend for someone with limited physical ability i.e. bad knee, hip replacement

[@StaggsintheWild]

I don't use the Stepps any more. I use and highly recommend Eastern Woods Outdoors ultralight sticks, and I have a video on this channel comparing the very best, high-end sticks on the market and show why I like them the best. Those reasons would be good ones for recommending them to you as well... i.e., best standoff room in the industry, etc. Here is a link to that video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5CaZIGaorCAadE

[@nasdaqgabe8020]

@@StaggsintheWild thanks so much

[@StaggsintheWild]

Now, one thing I'll warn you on is that they ARE pricey... pretty much cream of the crop. I also throw in some very modestly priced Novix sticks at the end of that comparison video for people who don't want to pay that premium for the EWOs... the Novix sticks are a very good value option.

[@SwampNStomp]

This is cool but not really a good comparison. The sticks can also be used with the knaider and shwaider, then you get 17" more with each stick, so with 4 sticks you would get 68" higher. I debated this for a long time and finally decided building some sticks that were custom sized to my stride was the way to go.

[@StaggsintheWild]

That's why I was sure to emphasize I was using the "most popular" methods of aiders utilized for each climbing method... be sure to check back later as I compare a true apples-to-apples and apply the knaider/swaider concept to the Shikars, too! :)

[@mr.skeptical3071]

I use 6 steps, with no aider. I get @ 17-18' because my platform acts as another step

[@outdoorsman9384]

What do you weigh,,and what would be the weight of a hunter that would make them steps shift when naider swaidering , every tree is different, I see you set it doesn't look like ant shift at all

[@StaggsintheWild]

I weigh 190 lbs... without clothes, LOL. I'm blaming it on Covid... :) They don't shift at all if you attach them to the tree properly. I do have a LOT of experience with them though, and I'll readily admit I make it look easy.

[@tommydean2906]

Does the wild steps damage the cambium layer of the tree ?

[@StaggsintheWild]

There are trees I have put them on that you can see the damage two years later ... conversely, I climbed a hickory with them on public lands and dropped something on my way out. I sent an OnX pin to a good friend so he could recover the item for me (I had been hunting five hours from home) and he could not believe I had used Stepps on that tree as there was no evidence I’d been there.

[@hans2five]

So 30 dollars for 4 steps that were designed in 1991 vs the best most awesome step you can find at 125 dollars a piece. You just convinced me that there isn't any better system than tree steps from muddy or rivers edge. Cheers

[@StaggsintheWild]

Climbing systems have come a LONG way since this video was made.

[@hans2five]

@@StaggsintheWild not enough to make any real difference. Wild edge steps are still about as good as you get. Especially with some quick home made aiders or knaider/schwaiders. I plan to get an ez clip harness for mine off Etsy for transport and to keep them organized as I climb.

[@nated7373]

can you give a link of the Knaider and Swaider for where I can buy? thank you

[@wandercloud1]

I like the one V type step , but what kind of material you used that tie on your knees , I would like to have them

[@StaggsintheWild]

@@wandercloud1 Knaiders and swaiders … Mike at Backwoodsmobilegear.com can fix you up

[@tl2135]

Do you have videos of you hunting using the steps?

[@StaggsintheWild]

No, we switched to one-sticking before we started filming any of our hunts I believe.

[@TheTeeDay]

That looks like such a pain. The edge steps at chest and waist high put them about every 3ft and I can put them up very quickly. Also then you have a literal later up and down. With the 16pack I can get up any tree in the woods.

[@StaggsintheWild]

It's not for everyone... the difference is 16 pounds vs. 4 pounds; it's a TREMENDOUS difference when walking with a bag of 16 vs. a bag of 4 if you're going farther than 1/4 of a mile from your vehicle. It's actually quite an easy technique to master, as well. But the main thing is that you're getting out and enjoying God's creation! :)

[@TheTeeDay]

Staggs in the Wild I get that it’s not a one size fits all. I set my stands end of summer and actually hunt out of them in fall. That being said I was in the woods with a 4lb pack of extras, 16lbs in steps and 20lbs of tree stand. Maybe it’s the Military man in me but if you aren’t in shape enough and can’t haul a 40lb ruck IMO you shouldn’t be climbing trees. Climbing is fit man’s hunting. I don’t know these new fangled climbing ways and it seems like most people who attempt them become task loaded. KISS works great up in the air or under the water.

[@KillenNReelinoutdoors]

josh smith I’m a military man as well and just because you can haul the pack doesn’t mean you should or should have to, when I was in in 2006 we were taught to use our heads. That being said naider swaider was not for me either but seems 4 sticks would be easier and more efficient than 16 WE steps. To each his own and thank you for your service.

[@alsbro1234]

@@TheTeeDay hes talking about saddle hunting where you would need to hall the steps in and out every hunt. Very different than hanging a stand one time and leaving it. Weight doesn’t matter nearly as much in the later scenario.

[@CrewDogGamer]

what do you think of being able to one stick off of one or two of these wild edge steps?

[@StaggsintheWild]

@@CrewDogGamer it’d be a catastrophe. A stick with a cam cleat is SO much better.

[@CrewDogGamer]

@@StaggsintheWild i figured as much lol. I'm interested to find someone whos been nuts enough to try it though

[@stevebillow395]

Nice steps but I'm more interested in that verner walnut your climbing

[@StaggsintheWild]

Lol! Those woods are thick with walnut trees! 😊

[@stevebillow395]

@@StaggsintheWild no better time than the present to cash in

[@jefferson10941]

Hey Greg what length versa aider did you use for this video?

[@gregstaggs1867]

Jeffrey Malara I’m pretty sure I used the 20 one ...

[@neoshooter3187]

It looks nice, but why you do not show how you get down? It gonna be more challenging isn't it?

[@StaggsintheWild]

Not at all; I just do the exact same thing in reverse ... that’s why I didn’t highlight it; it’s kind of boring, lol. There are videos showing me getting down on KZbin if you search my name. I think there’s one on the Wild Edge channel called “Using a knaider/swaider and setting a Perch”

[@capodeivucic32]

Which one are more compatible for hunting/ which one do you use?.... PS; Nice video, man.👍👍👍

[@StaggsintheWild]

I have used Wild Edge Stepps for the past two years, paired with a knaider & swaider like I showed in the first part... I will play with my Shikars a lot more this summer and into the fall to see how good I can get with them. I think if I bought a product called a Whoopsi-daisy off backwoodsmobilegear.com to replace the straps on them, it would make them a lot more user-friendly and I'd like them a lot more.

[@capodeivucic32]

@@StaggsintheWild 👍💪💪💪

[@garygrimes2024]

How about using with 2 step amsteel aiders on each step?

[@StaggsintheWild]

One-sticking is simply FAR superior in every way, IMO. If you do decide to use WE Stepps, I’d highly encourage you to rappel down as most of the kickouts associated with them occur when someone climbs down onto them. Rappel down and collect them as you go.

[@outdoorsman9384]

Who sells the Nader and swader for this system, I'm loving it

[@StaggsintheWild]

Eric Follendorf backwoodsmobilegear.com

[@doncaruso1949]

What was that aider for the sticks called?

[@StaggsintheWild]

It's the Versa-aider, and you can buy it at backwoodsmobilegear.com. Here's the actual link: www.backwoodsmobilegear.com/shop-online/versaaider

[@roscoefarmer4848]

Nice! How can I order the stepp ladder?

[@StaggsintheWild]

Wild Edge has a website I believe

[@yulbrenner]

Love the video. I guess folks have told you that you’re like the twin brother of Kenny Powers (in a good way).

[@StaggsintheWild]

Guess I’ll have to Google Kenny Powers sometime ...

[@yulbrenner]

@@StaggsintheWild a Georgia boy- Danny McBride in the show "Eastbound and Down"

[@danielvaldes1821]

Where can I buy on how to make them do you want for your knee

[@StaggsintheWild]

Backwoodsmobilegear.com

[@repentant]

No comparison I’m my humble opinion 👍 to Mr. Step and wild edge

[@robiehiott7256]

How we’ll do the steps work with a tree that isn’t straight? Say a bent live oak for example?

[@StaggsintheWild]

The angle of the tree really doesn’t have any negative effect; I used to use them in some trees with pretty severe leans. Bark type (like soft pines) will be your biggest challenge.

[@garygrimes2024]

Do you still use your wildbedge steps?

[@StaggsintheWild]

I haven’t used them in over two years.

[@andyphillips5162]

Do you also use a platform? If so which one(s) do you like best? Does anyone ever take a cpl extra WEStepps to create a mini platform where they are putting several around the tree, at their final hunting height?

[@StaggsintheWild]

I hunted primarily out of a Wild Edge Perch last year, with a little bit of time given to Out On A Limb's Ridge Runner as well. A lot of times, I used three Stepps to get to hunting height, placed my Perch in a fourth, and positioned my fifth Stepp off to the left of my Perch at the same level to give me some more maneuverability to get around for a top shot (the back side of the tree...). This year, I'll be trying out a couple of the larger platforms such as LWCG's Ambush, and I'm anxiously awaiting one of the industry stalwarts to release a larger platform any day now. ;)

[@tl2135]

Did you buy the aider or made it yourself?

[@StaggsintheWild]

You can buy the aider from Backwoods Mobile Gear.

[@prestonginther5624]

were do you get the nader and swader at

[@StaggsintheWild]

Backwoods Mobile Gear .., they have a website

[@prestonginther5624]

@@StaggsintheWild what about EWO they have them a little cheaper or is the BMG better

[@StaggsintheWild]

@@prestonginther5624 they might have them too; I haven’t kept up on the knaider/swaider market in a couple years, as I exclusively one-stick these days.

[@georgewhite6428]

Where can you find the Nader and Shwayder?

[@StaggsintheWild]

George White doublesteps.com

[@StaggsintheWild]

Also, backwoodsmobilegear.com is carrying them now.

[@josephsummerford8845]

Where is the best place to get the aider and sweeter

[@StaggsintheWild]

Backwoodsmobilegear.com

[@garrybailey7939]

It's a good products to get yourself hamstrung. Get ya pair tree climbers and a portable tree stand on your back. Less than 5 minutes you're done.

[@ronschreiber3635]

what were them Leg straps called ?? where can I get them ?? thanks another way to get up in a tree Nice

[@StaggsintheWild]

Knaider (the one that goes around your knee) and swaider. You can find them at Eastern Woods Outdoors on their site

[@ronschreiber3635]

@@StaggsintheWild thank you sir will look in to these ,

[@SuperBigdaddy1234]

Both widow makers to me

[@Njjb122]

I really really like the we step with knaider and swaider...how is when your wearing heavy late season clothes

[@StaggsintheWild]

I used to use this same combo in late January when it was down in the single digits with no problem.

[@alsbro1234]

@@StaggsintheWild what climbing system do you run now?

[@StaggsintheWild]

@@alsbro1234 the one-sticking setup you’ve seen me do a few of my last videos on.

[@bamabiker]

i have 8 WE stepps. i find using my 4 hawk helium sticks is just alot easier,faster and quieter.

[@StaggsintheWild]

Alabama Saddle Hunter Awesome! Just find what works for you and enjoy the great outdoors God has given us; that’s the main thing!

[@bamabiker]

@@StaggsintheWild sure if i spent more time with the WE stepps i will get faster with them.

[@supermo26]

The knot and thick pine bark has been a pain.

[@teamcrooks6913]

Check out the Cain method with the W.E. Stepps. Watch Joe Walling, "Modified Cain Method". I'm 65, 245 pounds, and it's easy, fast, and secure. Again, you have to practice to get good at whatever you are doing. Mostly, enjoy! Hunt safely, my Friends!

[@_Tom_B]

And, I think common sense would dictate, 5" is negligible. It's a difference of an inch or two on the previous steps - pretty much comes down to how long your legs are and how flexible you are.

[@StaggsintheWild]

Tom, remind me what you're referring to when you say "five inches is negligible..." Been a while since I made the video... :)

[@_Tom_B]

@@StaggsintheWild certainly, just referring to the final platform height. It was a difference of 5 inches. I just figured that amount is so small it could simply be the result of placing a couple steps and inch or two higher and they would achieve the same height.

[@StaggsintheWild]

@@_Tom_B Gotcha!! Yep, you're exactly right!

[@jimmychunga2626]

Am I missing something or has the price of the 5 step set of wild edges increased to $235? You're telling me they were $85??? Holy inflation batman

[@StaggsintheWild]

@@jimmychunga2626 FJB.

[@ronschreiber7764]

them Knee straps ??

[@StaggsintheWild]

Knaider & swaider. It’s not as common a technique these days as the mobile hunting industry has advanced on …

[@billdaggett7911]

Sir, the placement of each step or stick determines your total height. You could have easily placed either one at 6 ft per step or stick and been at 24 ft. It's all about you and your technique and not the climbing device you are using! Using one stick or step you can go as high as you want with the right technique. Thanks for the comparison. Good.stuff!

[@J155P]

I believe the use of Knaider/Swaiders with WE steps are going to cause a lot of accidents, unfortunately.

[@StaggsintheWild]

There has been that concern ever since the concept was brought to the masses; I actually think the knaider/swaider concept is fairly foolproof and you don't need to be an extraordinary athlete to utilize it... One the other hand, the 5-step etrier, which is another common method of cutting weight and bulk, is something I wouldn't personally recommend As with any method, caution should be used and care taken not to exceed your comfort level of what you're capable of … and practice at lower levels is imperative for success during the season. :)

[@J155P]

@@StaggsintheWild I tried it myself for a couple weeks in the backyard. I thought there were way too many instances where there had to be way too much slack in the lineman's belt to make it work. Also, many times the lineman's belt would end up way lower than my waist line, which I didn't care for. What made me ditch the idea was when I was practicing and my swaider pulled the side of the step downward causing the biner to slide all the way to one side and I almost lost my footing on the step below. Everyone has their comfort level and a level of risk they are willing to take. That was it for me. Unfortunately, not every WE stepp is going to be placed perfectly on the perfect tree 100 percent of the time. My 2 cents. Be safe out there everyone.

[@jhuntley575]

@@J155P way to cumbersome for me and having straps dangling everywhere.

[@NManitou]

For taller guys, I would think the WE would get a few more inches or a foot higher due to larger stride.

[@StaggsintheWild]

Totally agree. Can't remember if I said or not in the video, but I'm 5'10" for reference with a 34" inseam in blue jeans... so fairly long legs for my torso. Still, a guy 6'2" or 6'3" should be able to get another 4-5" each step probably.

[@kidneystones3406]

I tried knaider swaider climbing method it works but very time consuming. On slanted trees and trees with smooth bark I had problems. I recommend the one stick climbing method with a beast mini stick.

[@StaggsintheWild]

As long as you're getting out and enjoying the outdoors!

[@midgetman4206]

Some kind of bolt on spikes could probably fix that.

[@kidneystones3406]

@@midgetman4206 if your hunting private land. I think most watching video hunt hunt public land.

[@fairchaseoutdoors4181]

I have a set of 10 wild edge steps and a gen 1 perch I’m selling. Not a fan of them.

[@StaggsintheWild]

If you look around the channel here, I moved on from them a long time ago too. ;)

[@JeremyReger]

6.66lbs... #NotTodaySatan

[@StaggsintheWild]

LOL!! I had to go back and watch the part of me weighing the products to see what you were talking about! Good stuff! :)

[@JeremyReger]

@@StaggsintheWild haha. Great video by the way.. I was on the edge for buying sticks, and man you saved my wallet.. and frustration! I will stick to my 10 pack of WE stepps and my Knaider and Swaider..

[@The_Fit_ness_monster]

DRT will get you to 50’ with 1 rope 🤷‍♂️

[@nathan3874]

cracks me up, everybody with these sticks and steps are taking forever getting in the tree. Ropes, straps, aiders and god knows what else to climb a straight tree you should be using a climber on. Climber is way faster, easier and less complicated than any of these methods. My climber weighs 15 pounds and im up the tree and back down before they get to the top and hang a lock on or saddle and platform. Plus with a climber, once you get it around the tree, the flashlight is turned off. I get this system if your getting into a jacked up tree a climber wont work in, but these guys are always showing straight trees. Makes no damn sense at all. Best thing about a climber, I can hunt 10' or 50' and I dont have to count sticks or steps. I'm guessing where they hunt, all of the shooting lanes are at 20' or 4 steps? SHM....

[@nathan3874]

@Arthur Dirindin I only hunt public land in Indiana and have for 35 years. What do you do in early bow season when you use your sticks and hang on and get up around 20' and have no shooting lanes. You cant cut shooting lanes on public plus you couldn't reach them without a pole saw anyway. You cant go higher because you are out of sticks. I guess you hunt lower and hope the deer dont see you. Any true run and gun hunter is not using sticks and hang on period. Too much work, too noisy and you are limited on the height you need to be. Best thing about a climber, you do all of the attaching on the GROUND and is 10x safer. I dont mind a hang on if I have time to prep the area and I'm leaving it in the woods for an extended period of time. But if you are packing it out after every sit, you are crazy. lol

[@StaggsintheWild]

I don't hunt out of a hang-on; I'm a saddle hunter... and I'm attached to the tree from the ground up as well. Congrats to you for ensuring you're safe from the ground up as well -- most climber guys are not. And, yes -- obviously if you can't cut shooting lanes you have to stop short of placing yourself up in the canopy where you limit your shooting options. Good luck this season!

[@StaggsintheWild]

Arthur Dirindin I began my bowhunting career in college in 1991 ... it’s always been 100% public land, run n’ gun - and always with a bow. I started with an old steel V-bar climber I bought out of a magazine like Sportsman’s Guide. After a few years, I bought a Summit Viper and then acquired a Cobra top to go with it. A few years later I transitioned to a Lone Wolf alpha hand climber and hunted out of that until three years ago. For the last decade-plus, I averaged around 100 sits a season out of that Lone Wolf - carrying it in and out with me every single trip to the woods. So next year is year #30 of bowhunting public land for me. The last three years I've added a saddle to my arsenal.

[@ronschreiber7764]

looks like a Day's work

[@StaggsintheWild]

The technique certainly isn't for everyone :)

[@donwilson350]

Yeah that really looks good for a run and Gun if you got your crossbow your compound Get Your Gun and you got all them straps and all that trying to get up a tree hang a stand and then try to get in it yeah that looks like a mess to me

[@StaggsintheWild]

The ONLY thing different with either of these methods is the use of aiders - which stay attached to my body throughout the climb. If you’re using sticks and a hang-on, you SHOULD be using a lineman’s belt at the least. If you’re ascending with a climber, likewise; you should be climbing with a tether slid up over you. The reason most non-saddle hunters think there’s “excessive ropes and stuff” going on is they don’t climb and hang stands safely. Not saying you fall into that category ... 😉

[@michaelshiver9878]

Looks easier with climber

[@michaelshiver9878]

Spider man

[@2314jones]

What an absolute train wreck. I can get 18 foot up with no aider, swaider, mator, or bullshitador. People are trying to make this way too difficult.

[@StaggsintheWild]

😂😂

[@nated7373]

can you give a link of the Knaider and Swaider for where I can buy? thank you

[@StaggsintheWild]

www.backwoodsmobilegear.com/shop-online?category=Aiders