Use Jig on Hardwood Stair case?

[Chris Meeusen]

I'm finishing 16 hickory treads and 17 risers.  I've never installed a stair case before but it doesn't seem like it should be that bad (maybe I'm too optimistic).  I was thinking of using liquid nails on the stringers then face nailing the treads with a 15 gauge finish nails to tack the treads and risers to the stringers while the adhesive dries.  But then i heard that people have used a kreg jig to drill pocket holes on the stringers and drill screws up into the treads and risers.  If you do that do you have to worry about splitting the treads?  Has anyone ever done this on a hardwood like hickory?  

Thanks,

Chris