stands

[Guest mikemcd]

can anybody help me find some sites that provide designs for permanent stands? the lease that i just bought in on has primarily rifle oriented stands and i wanted to get a couple bow friendly ones up.

thanks

mike

[nutz4bucks]

Re: stands

I just left you a response at Archery Talk

Basically use ladder and hang on stands then you can move them

[IllinoisHunter]

Re: stands

If your referring to permanent wooden stands which we set-up quite often, it's tough to come up with an precise design as it depends on the shape of the tree, etc.

We like to make a standard platform, kind of like you would a deck in your backyard out of treated 2x4's. Considering the varying sizes of trees, we just have to "wing it" and see what works best.

[Guest mikemcd]

Re: stands

thanks, um, should i call you nutz? something just ain't right about that >

left a reply at archery talk- am limited to locations of existing stands if i want to hang a temp tree stand hence the need to build one where i want.

foor the platform, just to be sure, that is no sides, no top, just a plain platform?

thanks

mike

[VTbowman]

Re: stands

Like IllioniosHunter said, try to mimic or copy the framing/flooring of a deck for the platform.

It does not have to be exact but close. Then make 2 or 3 long support from the outside corners down the the tree at a 45* angle.

Tips for a project like this are:

1. Only use pressure treated wood. Regular spruce 2x4s can weather fast and loose strength and rot much much faster. This comes into play especailly where the framing and supports mounts to the tree. Water can stay between the tree and the wood for many days even if its dry outside.

2. Only use quality screws not nails to construct the faming and to mount the wood for the floor to the framing. Never use nails on something that could pull apart.

Rememeber your mounting this structure in a tree where the tree will definatley move in the wind and rain.

3. Use only lag bolts to mount frame and support from the tree to the frame. Again nails are pretty tough but can be worked out over time when the tree moves from wind or pressure of a hunting stnding on it.

4. Do not mount frame between 2 or more trees. Again the movement of trees swaying in wind can dramatically weaken and even wreck a platform. Put your platform between to moveing tree, take move in different directions and you can see what I mean. Mount in one tree as large as you can find. Larger diameter tree do not sway as much.

Hope this helps.

[IllinoisHunter]

Re: stands

It varies. When bowhunting, it can be tough to get a shot off when you have rails on, especially closer shots. We have put tops on them before, but usually for weather purposes - that's totally up to you and how much time you wanna put in. Rails come in handy as you can conceal yourself from site, but like I said earlier, can get in the way w/bow. There's a lot of different solutions for concealment purposes you could come up with.

To make a long story short, I rarely build rails into the stand unless I take younger ones hunting with me.

[johnf]

Re: stands

I've got a buddy who builds what looks like a big (30"x36") climbing stand platform. He covers it with preasure treated 3/4 plywood and sets it up around 20' or higher. When he gets it up there he attaches it at the front and back with 4" lag screws into the tree. He says that your weight would hold it, he just likes the extra security. He uses linemans boots to climb up to the platform, but you could easily put a climbin stick on the tree.

His seat is usually a 5 gallon bucket.

[AdvantageTimberLou]

Re: stands

With the price of ladder stands becoming more and more affordable I think that is your safest and best bet. At lease with a ladder stand if the spot you chose is not working out you can just move.

Plus this time of year some stores might have 2006 models and can be clearancing them out and getting ready for 2007 inventory.

[wtnhunt]

Re: stands

I prefer to hunt from my climber when bowhunting. What I use probably 60-70 percent of the time when bowhunting. That said, cannot go wrong with any summit climber.

For ladder stands, all mine are homemade steel stands.