Permanent Stand

[jake125]

I was wondering if anyone could give me advise on how to build a stand deer stand. I have never done this before and looking for some tips

[wildirishrose]

Go to your local sporting goods store and buy a portable and some strap on steps, you won't damage the trees or tick anybody off if your hunting public land.

[jake125]

well i am on private land and have some portables but i want to know how to build one

[fishnhooks]

Would my thought be correct if you wanted some tips on how to build a self standing deer stand like a Tripod or something like it?

If I am correct,you can email me at neyborg AT aol DOT com. I built a new one for last hunting season and put alot of thought into it. Although it is a little bigger than a Tripod and I might be able help you out a little with some of issues that I had.

"hooks"

[jake125]

I want to build one that is made of wood almost like a tree house but just a platform and a rail around it. How do i do this

[fishnhooks]

O.K I am picturing a stand in a tree.

Quote:

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made of wood almost like a tree house

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. I do not think that I can help you because I do not know what the tree or trees look like and the one that I built is not in a tree. The only thing that I can say is that deer stands that we have built in the past that connects to seperate trees have not lasted us that long. Reason is the the trees will swing different ways in the wind and eventually will tear the stand apart.

"hooks"

[Predator]

What I have seen most often(and seems to be the easiest) is to find either a triple-stalk tree(often birch) or three trees in close enough proximity and build a ladder by putting 2x4s/branches/etc between two of the three stalks. Once you reach your desired height, attach wood to all three stalks (at the same height) creating a triangle. Then you can put either more 2x4s, boards, branches, etc across the "triangle" for the floor. It is also easy to put safety/shooting rails on this type of stand as well. Like others have mentioned, though, wind/weather/etc will weaken and eventually make the stand unsafe so always be careful even if the stand is new. Hope that helps.

[Ole1855]

jake125,

The stands we have been building on our property are similar to the ladder stand you buy at a sporting goods store only they are larger and more comfortable. They are simply a ladder bolted to a platform that leans against the tree, they have 3 sides and a removable door. We attach using a chain and turn-buckle, the sides are made of 2"x2" frame and we have old pieces of carpet for sides. All of them are built with green treated wood, one thing we do is bolt the ladder to the platform, with one bolt on each side of the ladder, so when the wind blows the tree around the stand can flex alittle bit rather than breaking.

Ole

[BLACKJACK]

I've also went with the ladder stands built out of green treated and tied to the tree. Anytime you nail a deer stand between limbs of a tree or multiple trees, wind and growth will wreck it in a few years. With the ladder stands, if I don't like the location, I can move it. Also when it gets bad, I can just haul it out of the woods. Go with a ladder stand.

Hint. Sometimes lumberyards will have a sale on misshaped lumber that has warped, etc. We're talking 1/4 the price. It creates a construction challenge but deer don't seem to mind.

[bigbucks]

I have I think 5 portables, but still hunt primarily out of permanents. I build them in about any tree that's available in the "right" spot. I have not built any of those ladder type stands as of yet, but it's my intent to, as some trees require one like that. My preference is a big white oak tree with two trunks. I have a couple of stands in those. I don't think in all the times I've hunted those stands & all the deer I've killed from them I ever remember being seen in either of those two stands. As long as there's room to stand & draw between the trucks it will work well. The trunks are probably 18-24" in diameter.

As far as lumber to build them goes, of course treated's ideal, but primarily I only worry a lot about having treated lumber for the main platform supports. I'm a scavenger, I've built several stands by nailing up treated 2X4's across a pair or trio of tree trunks, nailing a pallet down on top of it, & then covering that with some thin plywood, preferably treated. Other than plywood, nontreated lumber will still usually last 10 years give or take. You just check the stands every year, if a board gets bad, knock it off & put on a different one.

You'd be surprised how many good stands you can build out of "junk" lumber. I have several stands with 8-10 steps where many are 2X4 pieces 18-36" long, which a lot of people will throw out as junk.

[jake125]

Thanks bigbucks, will help me alot on choosing the right tree and i have an idea on how to build them now, good luck on this upcoming bow season i no i am looking forward to it!!!

[leechlake]

Jake one of the keys to building a stand is to build or bring in some sort of ladder to start, that way you get your horizontal supports level and safely secured to the trees. That way you are comfortable up the tree rather than hanging uncomfortably attempting to secure the supports. You need a ladder up the tree anyway so build it first, also I think the ladder is one of the most important safety features. Another tip is to sandwich two 2X4's together (or three) and use those as vertical supports instead of trees. That way if you have one tree in the right "spot" you can just add those verticals. One of the hardest things is finding the right set up of trees in the spot you want to be in, that will solve the problem. It doesn't make much sense in finding a spot that doesn't have the right trees, you'll end up search for trees and building a stand in an inferior spot that you won't like.