RE: Homemade Stands
 

I build homemade stands all of the time. I try to find a clump of trees.....at least 3 to use, I use screw in steps to get up 20-25 feet, Box in between the trees and floor it just like a deck. I build rails/banisters for saaftey and to hide movement. I also like to use skids/pallets for a roof.

Annual checks are a good idea and some maintenance is required. They are comfortable and I feel very safe in the ones I use.

I get most of my scrap lumber from construction sites. If you ask the foreman they will probably give you all you want. I have tw trailer loads full right now that I have to pack to the camp!!!:D

RE: Homemade Stands
 

I build tree stands (currenlty have 3 in use). I am not putting out any type of stand that is bought as I hunt public land and it wouldn't be there in the morning if I left it.
I do check them out before each season. I usually build my tree stands about 15ft up the tree. I try to find 3-4 (prefer 4) trees close to gether and build a platform. I usually use 2 trees for the ladder and cut braches for the ladder rungs.
I put up 3ft walls and a roof and it it is all held together with nails/spikes and some fancy boy scout knot tying that my father does as added safety. I am perfectly comfortable and safe in these stands.

RE: Homemade Stands
 

These pictures may help as to what I build for permanant deer stands. Approx 15ft in height, and as mentioned above should be check for maintainance yearly.

RE: Homemade Stands
 

sry wrong pic:

RE: Homemade Stands
 

USE A 16 INCH DOWL BIT, AND DRILL A HOLE THROUGH THE TREES. USE ALL-THREAD TO HOLD THE MAIN BEAMS TO THE TREES. A 6 FOOT ROD, SOME NUTS AND WASHERS IS USUALLY GOOD FOR ALL FOUR TREES. BUILD THE LADDER AND BUILD IT UP FROM THERE. THE TREES USE USE FOR THE LADDER, IF YOU USE HARD WOOD LIKE OAK OR MAPLE, THE LADDER AND STAND WILL LAST. POPLARS AND OTHER MID HARD TREES BREAK AFTER ABOUT FIVE YEARS. I BUILD ABOUT 2 STANDS PER YEAR. AFTER 15 YEARS, EVERY PLATFORM IS STILL SAFE. BOLTED WITH ALL-THREAD RATHER THAN NAILS IS THE ONLY WAY I TRUSTA STAND YEARS LATER.

RE: Homemade Stands
 

before i built a stand that requires yearly maintainance, i'd hunt off the ground. remember nailing a nail into a tree, will pull threw the wood. it only takes one incident, and your a goner, hunt hard and hunt safe.