Building A Tree Stand


Building a tree stand is a great way to increase your chances of a big game kill. Nowadays 90 per cent of white tail catches are taken from tree stands. Tree stands will reduce the chances of the animal scenting you, will usually improve your sight and helps to conceal you.

There are a crazy amount of commercially available tree stands but choosing one can be intimidating and costly. Building a tree stand is the perfect way for you to save yourself a lot of cash and find the design that really suits your needs.

First step is to choose your tree. Pick one which has a good strong Y shape that will act as the support for your tree stand. You are likely to be sitting and waiting for quite a while in your tree stand, so it is good idea to select a tree that is big enough to allow you some comfort. You also need to check that the tree is healthy, that it doesn’t lean in any direction and that it is strong enough to take your weight, plus the weight of the tree stand and your equipment. Don’t choose a tree which has smooth bark as in winter it may become slippery.

You will be able to find many different plans to building tree stands on the internet, some free, some paid. Buying a plan is generally recommended as the information may be more reliable and secure than others on the net. Ladder stands are generally the most popular type of tree stand for do-it-yourselfers. They tend to be easier to construct and safer to use than other types of tree stands.

Stand alone tree stands will require more materials and know-how to construct. Climbing stands are possible to build, but probably best left to experienced handymen. When choosing which style of tree stand to build, you need to consider your DIY skills and your hunting needs. Ladder stands and free standing tree stands are generally not portable, whereas a climbing stand is.

When building a tree stand be sure to consider safety first at all times. Although tree stands are highly effective and nowadays most big game is caught using them, the largest numbers of hunting accidents also involve tree stands. Always use check that the materials are in good condition and have not decayed or rusted. Always use a safety harness for yourself and attach your rifle to a harness which is only pulled up once you are firmly in place.