RE: Deerstand question
I suppose plans/blueprints can help, but I feel if you couldn't come up with a solid design on your own you probably shouldn't be building a homeade stand.....a ground blind go for it, but ya anything 15-20' in the air I'd be weary of with no prior building experience.
Also sometiems time/money buying a nice stand is actually cheaper....lighter, last longer etc....
One thing I do suggest is I've really noticed you get what you pay for, typically with all treestands, I've bought a few stands that sounded great on the box/ad, only to get and find out they're not as amazing as the ad etc.....recently passed up another great deal on a stand because I had a bolt on from the company that while alright, could've been much nicer and hadn't been. Also bigger/more room IMO is the way to go....but if you're sitting in stand for only a few hrs each morning/evening then anything should be comfy enough, its when you're up there all day....