Building A Tree Stand

[Mountain Man]

I picked up a piece of hunting property and was looking to build a couple permanent wooden tree stands.

Any tips or suggestions on how to do this properly (designs, books, websites???).

I am looking to build them strong enough to hold two adults, as I will likely be hunting with either my Dad or my sons.

Thanks,

Mountain Man

[crazyfarmer]

it depends on what you want to build. Do you want a ladder stand? A box blind? Or something built in a cluster to trees.

I use to build alot of my stands but when lumber went up it was cheaper and less hassle just to buy a metal ladder stand. You can get the double buddie ones for 99-120bucks. Ive seen them for 80bucks at walmart after season. The basic 15ft ladder stands usually sell for 44bucks at dicks sporting goods after season. You really cant build one cheaper for that if you factor in your time.

Goodluck on your venture though and hopefully something big is on that property

[agingcrossbower]

it depends on what you want to build. Do you want a ladder stand? A box blind? Or something built in a cluster to trees.

I use to build alot of my stands but when lumber went up it was cheaper and less hassle just to buy a metal ladder stand. You can get the double buddie ones for 99-120bucks. Ive seen them for 80bucks at walmart after season. The basic 15ft ladder stands usually sell for 44bucks at dicks sporting goods after season. You really cant build one cheaper for that if you factor in your time.

Goodluck on your venture though and hopefully something big is on that property

I whole heartly agree with CF. the metal ladder stands are low cost and much less time consuming. Wood will rot or warp and make noise. Unless you plan to lay down and sleep up there I would get the ladder stands.

[Brenjen]

As to the question about plans, books etc. All I can advise is....did you ever build a treehouse/clubhouse as a boy? Same principle here; if you can build a box & roof it, you can build a hunting stand.

A little advice from my own experiences - Pitch the roof, if not it will pool water eventually & rot out. Paint the sides & floor; again if you don't it will rot out. Mix a little grit (sand) in with the paint & apply that to the ladder steps & the floor for some added wet traction. You can go so far as to insulate one & install a portable stove too....the sky is the limit (actually your wallet is).

I'm sure if you Google the subject or even "tree houses" you'll come up with something that fits your needs eventually; you'll likely have to wade through many that are too extravagant for hunting but they might be useful as a starting point even at that.

[crazyfarmer]

the porta potties as we call them at events also make nice blinds;) Just remove the toilet or you could actaully leave it in for various reasons;) A few friends have gutted them on the side and painted them. They make awesome blinds for when the weather is cold! Cut a few slots for shootig windows and they are good to go.

another friend actaully took his kids 6x6 play house and built a frame(under it about 8ft high) for it and used that as a blind.

its tons of ideas;)

[RichJ]

Been there done that! Trees grow and sway.This always tends to pull screws and nails out of place. After doing some math with the lumber,screws and time, a cheap 2 person ladder stand is worth the safety of your family and yourself. Getting to the ground 10 times faster then you went up isn't always a good thing.

[Mountain Man]

Thanks for the replies.

A two-man ladder stand is certainly a good option for some places on the property.

The property has a nice meadow full of deer tracks In the center is a cluster of medium sized ceder trees. The trees were cut off and an older (falling apart) tree stand currently sits among them. I've attached a picture of the current tree stand (hope it turns out).

I was hopping to tear down the old stand and rebuild a newer, stronger stand.

Looking up treehouses is a great idea.

Thanks again for the help.

Mountain Man

[AndreTTOW]

I have an ebook I bought, and it's really cheap, but the plans are great.

For the same price you get plans to build a box blind (a very good box blind) and a folding tree stand (a very good folding tree stand)

Both of these you can build for VERY cheap with these instructions.

Ray Magness created and sells this ebook here: http://grandstandplans.com/

Truly worth the price.

Here's what they look like

[Chuck Gravel]

If your going to make it out of wood use galvanized screws or exterior deck screws. Also look at FastenMaster screws and such, we use ledgerloks quite alot in framing nowadays. theyre really easy to screw in and dont need predrilling. use pressure treated for the wood also. I do not work for fastenmaster but and a framer

[bob1961]

if your set on building a box blind in trees i'd go with 1/4" thick by 6" L-channel cut in 6" section and bolt or 1/2" x 8" lag screw them to the tree first....then build off the top of those with 1/2" bolts through 5/8" holes in them to allow for tree sway and not pull screws out.........bob

....

[Mountain Man]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I'm heading out this weekend to take down the old treestand.
I should have a better idea of what I have to work with in terms of health/strength of trees.

Tree movement is certainly something I will be considering. I don't want to invest time and money in something which Mother Nature will tear apart.

Mountain Man

[bob1961]

that's why i posted what i did....i seen a few tv shows where they built a tree house in the backyard of some homes using the method i said....the tree's can still sway without pulling screws out, cause the treehouse moves with the wind so to say..........bob

....

[Partikle]

We put our perminant tree stands in cedar trees. They have year around cover, no sap and they are easy to climb. We usually try and find 3 that are close together and then build a triangle frame, platform, and seat. Here is one of them from below, above and from the ground: