TREE STAND PLANS

[GREYWOLF]

I just got permision to hunt a 250 acre private farm , that hasent been hunted by any one for 10 years ( been posted) It sure pay's to do something nice to help someone out , I pulled the owners wife out of a snow bank during our storm the other day , I met him in the store tonight, He rememberd I had asked him a few times over the last few years , well now he said my son and buddy can hunt it WOW what a surprise. He told me were he has been seeing them over the years , and said WE could put up some stands now for next year.
So my question is do any of you guys have plans for wooden portable stands I can build , nothing fancey just something we can make 4 or 5 of to mount in some trees around his property.
I have serveral climbers which are great , but not haveing to carry in a stand in the dark is much better for my back and a lot more easy comeing out . So if any one has some plans I would love to check them out . Thank's GREYWOLF

[CRASHCOSBO]

no plans but this is one we buit this year...just a platform with a hinged ladder that we lag bolted to the tree

[The Butcher]

I have built a few ladder stands in the past, but the price of hang on stands has come down so much in the past few years, I really would not go through the trouble of building. I hunted this year in a Comfort Zone, that had the hand and shooting rails, and was very comfortable. I paid $56 American, at Dick's sporting goods on sale. I doubt I could build a treestand that was so well made, comfortable, and hangs with such little hassle. When the season is over, the landowner, has no unwanted items on his land, insuring an invite back. Should the land be timbered, no one will get hurt cutting through one of your lag bolts or nails. Hang ons are just too easy, and you can move them as needed. Just my thoughts.

[JR]

I spend the summers getting old 20 or 24' extension ladders at yard sales. I seperate the 2 pieces and make a platform and bracing at the top and secure them to the tree using ratchet straps. I'll try to get to the bush this weekend and take a few pics. -Jason

[mblaney]

I designed a really nice portable stands built out of wood. I always meant to post them here but never got around to it. My design is in AutoCad so it will take a half hour for me to put into a document format. I also started to write an assembly instruction for it but never finished it.

My design uses 2x4 uprights, 1x4 ladders and stands 14'. The ladder comes apart in the center and one half fits inside the other. The package collapsed is about 4-1/2" thick, 7' long and 36" wide. This year the wood was a little green (heavy) but I am able to carry it relatively easy. I estimate the weight at around 50lb which seems to be respectable compared to store bought.

Cost to build mine was about $75Cdn using pressure treated. The only catch to my design is that you need to weld joiner plates for the junction. You could also make the unit without a joint (14' long).

I might need some help from someone here to post pics, etc.

[Partikle]

Hey GreyWolf,

Congratulations on getting permission, that's great. It’s nice that a good deed has been rewarded. We build all our tree stands in the cedar trees, we find you have better cover that way and they don't stand out like a sore thumb. Trespassers don't even see them when they walk by so it's great. It also comes in handy during the windy days in the late season; the trees keep the wind down so you don't freeze. We tried pine trees but the sap is too sticky so we stick with cedars and use lag bolts for safety and to eliminate squeaks.

Here is one we built, the 3rd picture is taken from the ground looking up at the tree.

[rutman]

I just started in the last year or two planning for the future. I have been hunting private property where the landowners, except one give pretty much anyone who asks, permission. I have for this reason, been using portable hang on stands with 5 or 6 removable steps at the bottom. This, because I used a ladder once at a baited location that I worked my but off for a month, not hunting it but saving it for last few days insurance. I went to it on the 30th of Dec. for the first time and found a truck hidden in the bush about 150 yrds from my stand. Guess where I found it's owner?. Anyway, I am 40 now and am starting to find portables to be more and more uncomfortable. Figiting is not condusive to success!. I am now starting to build some permanent stands that will again have ladder access.
I plan on a paddolocked door to defeat the previous problem. My only previous permanent stand is the most producing stand I ever had. It is an old applecrate framed in with angle iron. I used a atv winch to put it 25 feet up a hemlock. It usually produces about 2-4 whitetails/yr. for me and a select group of friends. My newest project is to put a kenworth sleeper that I got free up on some used hydro poles. It is going to be insulated and heated, I should be able to still hunt in this stand, if I am lucky enough to make my 80th year. I also think that there is an advantage to permanent stands over portable. More and more deer seem to be aware of the danger from above. Portables don't really hide your outline very well in most archery friendly settings, nor do they hold scent. Anyway, I can't see myself using tree steps when I'm 65 so I thought you might like some plan for the future insight.

[Tom]

.............. Anyway, I can't see myself using tree steps when I'm 65 so I thought you might like some plan for the future insight.

rutman my dad is 74 and he still uses climbing spurs to climb into his hang on stands. He also still hangs his own stands with the spurs. One good thing is that I have convinced him to wear a FULL BODY HARNESS in his tree stands. I will never short change anybody, espically a hunter, about their abilities when they get older. It might take them longer to get there or to get it done, but they will still do what they want .

About your comment about the hang-on stands not being comfortable, some of these stands can be very comfortable with sling cussions, side rails. Not sure how difficult it would be to enter over the side rails, but they sure look comfortable.

About the home made wood stands. I would just like to caution about the materials used. Remember that nails and wood actualy do not like being together. Over a few years, nails can and will rust, also the wood will rot where the nail is. If this happens your stand will quickly become unsafe. I have seen many stands like this in the bush that I would not use because I am not sure how it was made of if it is currently safe. Please if your making one, take the precautions and make it safe for years to come.

[mblaney]

Here are some pictures of mine; if anyone wants the drawing for this let me know (AutoCad file) plus parts list. I also have the drawing in WMF format.


Unit ready for storage for the roof rack:


All accessories and cushon are stored under the seat assembly

[Partikle]

Here are some pictures of mine; if anyone wants the drawing for this let me know (AutoCad file) plus parts list. I also have the drawing in WMF format.

Hey mblaney,

Just curious, why the styrafoam? Oh I think that's the seat, do you let your feet hang over the end and sit on the platform?

Partikle

[A.W]

do you let your feet hang over the end and sit on the platform?Partikle

Looks like the "V" notch rests on the tree trunk and probably his feet rest on the forst step. Correct?

[Partikle]

Does that go up in the tree or rest on the ground?

[mblaney]

The foam is just jammed in there for storage, also the seat backrest. The seat is positioned such that the top rung is used for a foot rest, lets you change the angle of you knee. I like this design because it allows you to dangle your feet or use the rest. This helps get with cramping...

Mine has holes drilled in the top the the uprights and in the seat for stuffing sticks or brush into them for camo.

The seat picture also shows the bolts used to connect the top and bottom ladders, and the eyebolts to secure the seat. The eyebolts allow you to install a ratchet strap around a tree to secure.

My wife took these pics for me this morning, i can get better ones this weekend.

[mblaney]

Sorry for the change in picture sizes, i will edit and correct to a nicer size...

[A.W]

mblanet. You have a P.M.