I am improving the cheap Comfort Zone or River's Edge Tree Stands ($49 on National Hunting and Fishing Week in Sept)I got at Dciks with "Wings" for exta foot room, and the ability to sit "side sanddle" in a stand or stand up, stand on 1 wing with 1 foot and shoot behind you without dangerous leaning out around the tree, a friend of mine fell out bow hunting trying to shoot around a tree. Here are the complete instructions on how to improve a Cheap Ladder Stand:

http://www.the-gleasons.com/How%20to%20make%20Wings%20for%20Ladder%20Stands.pd f

Here isa picture of a Ladder Stand with Wings. Good Hunting. Blessings, Chap

I've thought of doing that too. I also think the seat can be enlarged and put a rail around it. Not quite sure how I'm going to do it though.

Thanks for sharing Chapman!

thanks Chap, we spread those all over the mountain and this is a great winter project. Forces us to check for safety as well.

HuntAway,

Your welcome. I bought this one at

http://www.cabelas.com/spodw-1/0026443.shtml



Cabelas on sale for $34, just got it a week or so ago. Going out Monday to put it up with my 7 year old grandson. He loves going out with me, walking around the woods,shooting bb gun, etc basically anything having to do with hunting. As for the bigger seat, mine if fine, it is the foot room that is the problem for me. Sproulman has a great idea to put a swivel seat on the top of the seat are and rachet strap it down. Also with the "Wings" your feet are not on super cold metal so your feet stay warmer. This AM it was 3 degrees, here in VA, and I took the pictures and updated my documentation after taking the pictures for the folks on here. Chap

Yep, loosen the strap 1 notch for tree growth or it breaks the straps. check the bolts. If you try to do them all, plus prune around, it took me about 2 hours to do one. That was a complete redo, take old bolts out, put in inserts, put in wings, put rope up for hand hold. Great project for the winter. Makes them a LOT better. Do your favorite stand first and just watch the guys gravitate to that.
Another hint, I am moving mine to double trees, about 3 or 4 feet apart so that I have a place to hang my rifle, a place to take longer shot by using the tree as a rifle rest. Best Wishes, Chap

Good tip about double trees. I dont use ladder stands, but I use hanging stands on double trees a much as possible, Breaks up your outline, Hang your gun, gun rest, windblock, but most importantly for me is if its close enough you can lean into it while your hanging your stand. Makes life a whole lot easier. Only took me 25 years of hunting to learn that.

I've been hunting seriously since I was 20, so it has taken me 40 to learn that. Form me, "too soon too old, too late wise".
Chap

I believe if God had meant us to hunt out of trees,we would have 3 toes. Just my opinion,I like being down at deer level.

Charlie

ha, you'd never see me in a tree stand. Especially a cheapie that wiggles around. I get a sick feeling just thinking about it.

i prefer ground level on higher ground.

And a beak instead of a MLer? I take the MLer and the tree stand.
Chap