Building a tree stand

[czechsonofagun]

I want to build a tree stand on my land and before I start planning I wanted to dip in the knowledge here.
Do you have a favorite design of permanent/wood stand? What are the features you like/miss on a tree stand (except refrigerator and tv). What is you preferred height above the ground and what tree to build it on? I know in VA makes no sense to put it against a pine tree, since it is most likely to go down. Is it better to build like a bridge between two trees just on one tree?

I am in the collecting info state, used quite few stands in the wildlife club a each has it's own pros and cons.

 

[texasjohn]

If you have used stands, then I think you know what you like and dislike.
Me, I spent many years just climbing up into a tree and finding a spot among large limbs.

I was younger then.

If I were to do it now, I'd affix a ladder to the tree, make a solid platform from 2x4's, cover it with treated plywood, make some railing/braces for resting a gun on and also to grab in case of losing balance, hang some burlap from the railing and call it quits.

I've discovered it best to select a tree that is rather stout...move less in the wind. I suspect that if a stand were built using two trees, then their differential movement would destroy the stand.

 

[N80]

Contrary to popular wisdom, I've had more luck sitting on the ground than up in trees. Don't ask me why, I don't know. I do know that I sit on the ground a lot because I hate carrying deer stands with me and I simply do not mess with climbing stands at all.

But, I have built two permanent and several semi permanent tree stands that I use from time to time. None of them are very high up.

The semi-permanent ones are just wooden ladder stands with a big roomy seat/platform. They lean against a tree and are held onto the tree with chain and turnbuckle. These are usually only about 8-10' high.

The two permanent stands were made mostly from stuff I had on hand. One is made of telephone pole remnants. I used three poles to make a triangle shaped free standing platform. It is in the flood plane of our creek bottom so it needed to be substantial and the poles fit the bill. The floor sits about 7 feet up, which is plenty high in the flat creek bottom. It has a wooden plank floor and a rail all the way around. The rail is covered with camo cloth. It is comfortable and seats two. We just sit in folding chairs. The creek bottom has flooded several times over the top of the stand but it has held up just fine.

The other stand was made from the remnants of a wooden swing set we had in the back yard. It is a 4x6' platform on 4 4x4 posts set in the ground. It has a railing and also has camo cloth covering. It is about 8' up to the floor (which is made of decking) and overlooks a food plot. It will also seat two.

Neither is fancy. Neither cost much. Both easy to build. Both are very easy to climb into and out of. We've killed a good many deer out of the one in the creek bottom made of poles; none from the one on the food plot but I've seen a lot of deer from it.

Neither protects you from the weather at all and cold is not a real issue down here. I plan on putting some sort of simple roof over both of them before deer season this year so we have an easy place to sit when its raining.

I made them to seat two so that dad's and young sons or daughters can sit together. And saddly, as my Dad's Alzheimer's progresses I may find myself in the stand with my dad once again because I know he's going to want to keep hunting long after we can let him go alone. So I think a two seater is always a good idea.

 

[czechsonofagun]

Thank you, George.

Prokop

 

[N80]

You're welcome. I would mention one other thing. Where I built my stands was out of reach of electricity. I've got a cordless drill and a chain saw, but the best thing to do is to plan the stand out in your head or on paper and do all of your cutting and as much assembly as possible at home. That way all you have to do in the woods is to nail or screw it together.

 

[ByronBob]

Any reason why a portable isn't a good idea? I think for cost and comfort, some of them are better than a wooden one.

 

[ToadHill]

My stand was built for comfort. I used the base from an old hay wagon, built a 4 sided shed on top of it with a ladder to climb onto the platform. I put a roof of tin on and a door. It has a large window on 3 sides, that open very quietly.

I take it to my spot on top of a hill at the edge of a hedgerow about early Sept so the deer get a chance to get used to it for 2 months or so. I haven't yet taken a heater with me but as I get older the thought has crossed my mind.

 

[AlanB]

My buddy and my son hunt together (I don't hunt) and we have been discussing this for the last several months.

I was thinking along the lines of a box on top of 4 removable legs and guy wires and ground anchors.

I was also thinking about making it all solid, then putting pallet fork pockets in the base and moving it with either the skid steer or the backhoe.

I was driving around on post though, and saw a set of scaffolding setting up about 3 units high, and thought to myself, hey, there it is ready made. Just need to put the box up and guy it down for safety. I think I have at least 2 sections high sitting around the house, and if you watch for them, the older commercial scaffolding that would not be acceptable for a commercial job can be bought cheap and re-worked into a suitable base for this.