Homemade ladder stand
 

I'm looking to build a couple of ladder stands for next deer season and I've been searching for plans. I found a site with plans and pictures thatreally impress me. I wanted to share it with everyone who is interested. This stand looks roomy, safe and I bet nobody steals it.

http://tristan.homelinux.net/hunting/treestands.htm

RE: Homemade ladder stand
 

the side will catch alot of wind on windy days but other than that it looks good

RE: Homemade ladder stand
 

put some camo netting, that you can pull back, over the front. It will cover you a little plus block some wind. Also if your going through that much to build a stand put a roof over it to.

RE: Homemade ladder stand
 

Agreed. Looks like a good stand, though.

RE: Homemade ladder stand
 

"Block the wind"? I'm in florida. I was thinking more along the lines of a honda generator and a 5000 btu window air conditioner. :D

RE: Homemade ladder stand
 

Looks good! Maybe in the places where wood meets wood put a piece or two of heavy roofing felt. Should help with the noise and last awhile.

RE: Homemade ladder stand
 

Is it all wood? If so I would change that to more metal, especially the ladder. The rats would have that thing chewed up in a couple of years on my place.

RE: Homemade ladder stand
 

You can buy a nice double stand for $100 and you can move it. Your labor and lumber costs will be much higher. The only reason i could see building one is so someone would not take it.

RE: Homemade ladder stand
 

Nice Looking Stand! I would make sure all was salt treated lumber,everything screwed and bolted. Put some camo cover on front and some sort of cheap roof IF the stand turns out to be a good Deer producer.Make the paint/camo match prevailing cover - Blends In. My .02 - Good Luck

RE: Homemade ladder stand
 

Nice stand. What my hunting buddies and I do is use a bunch of different bolt sizes, especially on the ladder, so it'd be a lot harder for people to mess with it. Can't ever be too safe with some of the people around here.

RE: Homemade ladder stand
 

That is a good looking stand. If it were me, I would establish a good hunting spot before I set it up because It doesn't look like one you will be eager to move. I would use treated wood, and check your steps every season. If you do put a roof on it, I would seal it and use mosquito netting. Here in south Texas, the smart bucks alter their movement by the smell of deet.;)I would bet Florida is not much different.

C. Davis

RE: Homemade ladder stand
 

Looks good. You could put a hinged door on the front if you wanted wood instead of burlap. I have built several....they arenot real expensive to build (less than $100 if you have a roof). My recommedation is to use rough cut oak for your main supports, rather than p/t. The sides, ladder, roof (if one) can be p/t and will last a long time. Rough cut oak will last much longer. I have several that are over 10yrs old....and still fine. Will be building a few more this year.

RE: Homemade ladder stand
 

I agree with LKNChoppers, why would anybody want to go to the trouble and expense of building a wooden stand whan you can get a safer, easier to move and cheaper welded metal stand.

RE: Homemade ladder stand
 

i've made many stands, all with free wood that I come across during the year. I prefer to have a series of permanent stands, when you own the property. Go straight to hunting rather than doing set-up. On this stand I would have put the ladder runs on the front face of the ladder, vertical, instead of flat. The ladder does last many more years if a good maple or oak tree (4-6 inch round) is used for the ladder beams.

RE: Homemade ladder stand
 

with the price of steel and lumber these days you can get a double ladder stand much cheaper. and at least the store bought ones are weight tested. i can build one that will hold a tank,but in a few years they weakin up alot.

walmart has a double for around 100.00, natchez shooters supply has them on sale also. check walmarts in your area ,right here after christmas is when i bought my last supply of ladders stands ,i think i payed 48.00 each last january. i use the singles and add a extra rail around them that can be rapped with camo.

RE: Homemade ladder stand
 

nice looking stand, but have to say, as a construction company owner, looks like a LOT of work on a ladder. even though I have my own hunting property, prefer metal ladder stands myself. just my opinion.

RE: Homemade ladder stand
 

I understand what your trying to say but easy to move means that its easy to steal. Here in coastal Florida if the land is undeveloped it's probably swamp covered with impenetrable brush. The land were I hunt is one of those rare areas that is huntable without an airboat, it's about 2 square miles in size. About 1/4 of the area has been taken over by people in their late teens and early twenties. They use it for hanging out, drinking, four wheeling(mudding), barbequeing etc.. We give them a wide berth when we hunt but they periodically explore the woods in their four wheelers. Unfortunately anything "storebought" will probably be stolen. In our damp environement I bet pressure treated wood will last longer than a welded steel stand.

RE: Homemade ladder stand
 

My brother just got the Double Stand at Walmart on sale after Christmas for $74. It even came with the camo wrap to cover the sides.

On all my ladder stands, wooden or steel I run a 20' cable lock down them. If any wandering theif would look at that, they would probably not waste their time fooling with it.

RE: Homemade ladder stand
 

I agree with that 100%. We have the Delaware Bay approx 3-4 miles away(can see it from field stands)Farm is also adjacent to large tidal river,salt marsh etc...The damp Salt air Does take its toll on metal stands.We have 3 tri-pods - two are 4 years old and are showing signs of Salt Air corrosion.The 3rd one belongs to land owner and is probably 10-12 yeras old - It's Shot to Hell - Rusted out - not safe to hunt.

Don't forget the metal/welded ladder stands or tri-pods need to be wrapped with something = more $$$$ to invest.You also need (I do anyway) to spray welds and bolts with a good rust proof primer every couple years = more $$$.

We've got the "build" on salt treated stands down to a fine science.Can build a 4x4 box stand w/roof for about $150 - $250 depending on height and misc materials we can scrounge up.

RE: Homemade ladder stand
 

Good for you wanting to build your own stand. I disagree with people who claim that the only "safe" way to hunt out of a tree is from a pre-fabed steel treestand. Its BS in my opinion. If you know what you are doing, you can build a stand that is just as safe as or more safe than most big companies can. Again....you do need to know what you are doing.

RE: Homemade ladder stand
 

Here is one of mine. I use this setup for 3 of my other stands as well. Works good, lots of room and able to stay in it overnight.

RE: Homemade ladder stand
 

Hiawatha, do you have any more pics of how this stand is constructed? I'm gathering ideas for SAFE homemade stands, I'm done nailing short pieces of 2x4's to a tree trunk to useas aladder.

RE: Homemade ladder stand
 

No I do not have any plans or blue prints, just winged it and reinforced/braced it where i saw fit. From tree to tree i have 2 2x6's (leave some overhang) nailed into the trees one on each side of the trees, these will act as a brace for the floor. Then I rest 2 2x6's ontop of the first nailed planks and extend them out to my ladder. I nail one end to the tree and the other ends to the ladder. The ladder is made from 18ft 2x6's for rails and 2x4's for steps. Once that is done i climb up the ladder and lay 2x6's across the platform for the floor leaving a little gap for water to escape. I alsoscab another brace in between the ladder and the floor to keep close end of the floor supported.I also brace the bottom by nailing a plank/tree from the ladder back to the tree.Then i use 1x4's for a rail on the bottom and top all the way around. Spray paint some burlap and staple it up. For nailing to the trees i use some big daddy spikes like 7 inch or so. In time the ree will corrode the nails and break them off so will have to repair a bit every few years or so. Just by reading your idea there of climbing with little pieces of 2x4 nailed to a tree isn't the best. I have done it when in a bind but the steps will want to tip on you when u step on one side. It may not be bad initially but the nails will loosen up and cause u problems when u step on the steps.

RE: Homemade ladder stand
 

Looks nice!!!:D