I have a few wooden stands and I used 2x4x12s. I use braces about half way up the ladder to make it stronger. I am about 260 and it works for me. I make a platform out of plywood for a seat and then just use a sports form cusion.

We use welded aluminum ladder stands. They are lighter and easier to move, safer, will last longer and the price is better in the long run. We have about 50 of them.

Next year...check out the fall hunting classic at bass pro shops if you're anywhere near one. They take off like 10 bucks maybe even more on their stand prices. next year I'll probably buy one of the metal hang on stands.

I currently have three purchased stands I have a sling seat that is one comfortable stand. It's got a 4 inch padded seat/back rest that reclines but I only use it during rifle season. To hard and noisy to stand in when bowhunting. I also have a chain on and a pop-up blind.

I'm making a few ladder stands this year as well.

I use homemade ladder stands for gun and sometimes archery, I use store bought chain ons mainly for archery.
Build your ladder as high as you want. We use 16' 2x6's and 2x4's for the steps. Lean it up against your house to figure out the angle you want. Screw 2x4's to the top towards the tree and another across the back to lean against the tree. Cut 45's and screw them to your ladder and your platform to help with support. Screw in a piece of plywood on top. We lag ours to the tree but you can use a ratchet strap as long as you have a good base. We've made seats for them and put on shooting rails this year. They are heavy paln your route in and plan on taking someone strong to help.

Building one sounds like alot of work. I bought the 15 foot ladder stands from Cabela's and love them. $69.00 a piece and you can put them up and move them by yourself. By the time you pay for materials and take into consideration the time it takes to make a stand it doesn't seem like it is worth the work to build one. Besides the fact that you have to check the wood stands all the time to make sure that they are still safe.

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I have went the whole route,I have ,loc-on's,climbers (4),I have metal ladder stands,wooden ladders,wooden permanent stands(built in trees),ground blinds, and I have an 18' tri-pod.

it all depends on you and where you want a stand.some places you need different type stands.
I use all of mine at different times,some have tops over them for rainy days( 4 different ones have tops)

all together I have apro. 26,000 acers I hunt,I have 7 metal ladders,2 wooden ladders,3 ground blinds,6 permanent stands,one tri-pod,one loc-on,and 4 climbers.

they all have there place and work good for where there at.



I am not a hunter I am a whitetail population reduction specialest

remember keep your back to the sun, your knife sharp, and your powder dry.

I use a climbing tree stand.Its much easier then buliding one and i can take it where ever i go ,but the prices is alot different.The price averages about $100 and goes up.

i have several "home made" metal ladder stands that we build. they are about 16' and will hold about ten times the weight that store bought ones will. you just need a welder and plans and buy 1" box steel and 3/4" box steel for steps and some odds and ends for seat and standing platform. cost about 65$ to 70$ but well worth it . ............ one of the guys we hunt with returned his $300 cabellas stand for one of ours go figure just a copy of a ladder stand with heavier steel. pretty simple to build