Hunting Stand

[AF-1984]

I know this topic has been discussed before, but I thought I would start it again.

I am looking for a stand to keep my dog out of the water while hunting. I searched related topics in past forums, and it seemed that there were not many homemade solutions.

Is everyone just buying the expensive stands (Ruff, etc)? Or has anyone come up with a decent homemade solution? Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Gordie]

AF what type of stand are you thinking of ? free standing or one off of a tree? if its a there is a tree close by you could always use a hang on deer stand they are inexpensive or look for old ones at garage sales I have one that I use when I used to hunt the river. But my guess is your talking about the catails and you would need a free standing one. give me some time I may beable to think of some thing

[Hookmaster]

Google "homemade ruff dog stand" and you will find some. I plan on making one.

[sdpikehntr]

Is weight an issue, or do you have to pack the stand in? If weight is not really an issue I have made wooden platforms that are suspended with 2" well pipe and are similar to a very small dock section.

[AF-1984]

Hookmaster - that is definately the best homemade option I have seen.

Since you plan on making one, how long are you going to make the legs?

[Hookmaster]

I think I will try to make it adjustable. Sometimes we hunt in shin deep water and other times crotch deep. If I can't make it adjustable, the legs will be long enough so the platform is about 3 feet above bottom. Looking forward to hunting over a dog again this fall. Our yellow lab will be about 14 months old.

[Gordie]

That is really a great looking platform and seams to be light weight might have to try and put one togetther but I think I will attach the legs to my old deer stand for duel purpose and the straps are already on it

[NR]

Google "homemade ruff dog stand" and you will find some. I plan on making one.

That one on Goose Hunting Chat is awesome.

I had been kickin around the idea of just using a bag chair . . . probably not the greatest for durability, but they are CHEAP.

And then I noticed those smaller plastic tables for outdoor use - like the molded plastic chairs with arms that you can stack about 10 high for storage - and thought that might work ok. I think they are only 20" tall, so that would be a drawback.

[BLACKJACK]

I bought a small Otter sled and make my dog sit in it when I'm cattail hunting. It won't work in deep water - over your knee - but works to keep the dog out of the water in shallow water. Plus you can throw your decoys into it and drag them to the spot.