Do you hunt on your own land or land that you lease? Could you build a permanent? I'm thinking about doing this for next year as I'd like some more room and would feel safer. I've read up on these steel brackets called "Elevators" ($60 gor four) that you bolt 4x4 posts into and the platform secures to the top of the brackets. The brackets are so that the posts will angle down to the ground. I'm thinking of cross bracing the posts with 2x4s and putting a short railing (just tall enough that I can draw over) around the top that I could tie a burlap blind material to. For extra security, I'm planning on chaining it to a tree and/or tying it down with stakes in the ground. If interested, just do a google search and enter the words elevators tree stand and you should find them.