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Tree Stand Plans
Treestands are now the main method used to hunt deer because of the advantages they offer. After considering the advantages tree stands offer, it is no surprise that Pope and Young Club records for the 19th recording period show that 90% of the 2793 whitetails entered were shot from tree stands or ground blinds. Some hunters want to consider building rather than buying a tree stand - usually because of cost. They want to build a tree stand for less than what it costs to buy one. It is worth reviewing our section on buy versus build before you decide! If you choose to buy your tree stand, read our tree stand buyer's guide. Some stands are more correctly called blinds. For information on hunting blinds and hunting blind plans, visit Hunting Blind Plans The 2
factors to consider when deciding to buy or build are:
Cost When reviewing modern design tree stands, the frame is almost always welded aluminum or aluminum/steel. This is done for safety, strength and noise reduction [no or minimum nuts, bolts, and washers to wear, work loose and squeak]. With this in mind, if you have welding skills, or know someone who does, then that is a cost advantage. If you have to pay someone to do the welding for you, the cost involved, added to the materials, can make it the same or in some cases, more expensive than a purchased one. You can make one that has a frame without welding, and is held together with nuts and bolts. These stands are not as good as welded ones, and require more maintenance to ensure the nuts and bolts remain tight and lubricated to minimize noise from squeaking. The stands that lend themselves to being homebuilt are hang-ons and ladder stands. Hang-ons are generally the cheapest to make, however there are commercially made models that are designed to be cheaper than trying to make one yourself! Safety The key issue is ensuring that your tree stand is safe! Homebuilt tree stands account for a disproportionate number of falls. They range from one study where 2/3 of all tree stand falls involved homebuilt stands, to another in Maryland where a quarter of all tree stand accidents were caused by homebuilt stands that rotted or broke. What is clear is that generally, homebuilt tree stands are not as safe as commercially made ones. In general, homemade stands are either not designed or made safely, or the ongoing maintenance is neglected.
Tree Stand Plans If you are looking for plans to build your own tree stand, there are some questions you should ask yourself first before looking for hunting stand plans. The answers to these questions will help you decide which type of stand, construction type, materials and design will be suitable. If you are unsure which type of tree stand is most suitable for the environment, first review the different types of stands. If you are thinking about a complete enclosure on the ground, it is more correctly called a blind. Or you may want a box type of enclosure based upon a tower elevated off the ground [box tower blind]. If a box blind or tower blind is your preference, you will find lots of information and hunting blind plans at our Hunting Blind Plans website.
Free Tree Stand Plans If you are looking for some free plans or designs to build your own tree stand we have included here. |
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