Homemade wood ladder stand ideas

[fouled bore]

I am thinking about making some homemade wood ladder stands to put up on some state property. The nice metal purchased ones are targets for theft but the wood ones are left alone. Hate to put $100 in a stand to go back and find it is gone.

Anyone have pictures of some that they have made? It has been a few years since I have made any and I just wanted some new ideas. BTW, it must be removable.

 

[clearcut]

One of my nice ones got stolen last week I'll put some wood ones out this week.pm sent on the wood ones.

CC

 

[clearcut]

I hope the pix help maybe you can post them to help this thread.

CC

 

[Patocazador]

Two 12' PT 2x4s, plus a 10' PT 2x4 cut to the platform dimensions that you prefer. Make a box, put an oversize piece of 5/8" PT plywood over it with a "V" notch at the rear. Add 2 angle supports and get two friends to help lug it into the woods.

Note: You can buy a cheap ladder stand for about the same price as the lumber and galvanized nails/screws and chain plus turnbuckle will cost. I've seen them for under $100.

If it's in a good spot, someone else will hunt it as much as you.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I would put a metal stand in and chain it up. Yes, they may steal it but as pointed out the wood will cost you about as much and the metal one (if not stolen) you can take home later, or move, if you like.

 

[WestKentucky]

Stands are hard to steal with hunters in them...just sayin...maybe take up bow hunting?

 

[BudgetBucks1]

I would recommend spending the money on a light hang on stand like a Millenium and several chains that you can buy separately. Carry in Lone Wolf climbing sticks(4 sticks are 10 lbs) and you are in business. I have one millennium that I use everywhere. It weighs 11 pounds and is super comfortable. I strap it to the back of an alice pack and go anywhere I want. I leave a $20 millennium tree strap in the trees I hunt so that I can get in quickly and the most important thing is I am mobile. The longer you hunt the more you will realize that being able to move to get on the deer is very important. I killed two nice bucks last year on public land by moving mid morning to where I heard action earlier in the morning. With a big wooden stand you won't be able to do that. I have been hunting public land exclusively for 15 years and this formula has worked for me.

 

[jrdolall]

^^I use hang on stands and climbing sticks when I hunt on land I don't control. Of course they can still be stolen but so can anything you use. I have three hang on stands and I like a stand to have a rail around it for safety and as a rifle rest.
I started out hunting on the ground, then on a couple of 2x4's between two limbs, then built wooden ladders, then built shooting houses, then used climbers, etc so I have run the gauntlet. Building a 12 foot ladder stand from treated wood probably costs MORE than the cheap ladder stands available out there now unless you have free wood, free screws, free rope and a free ratchet strap (all of which come in a $79 ladder stand from Academy or Walmart).

 

[buck460XVR]

What are the laws for stands on public land where you hunt? Here in Wisconsin, stands must be removed at the end of the day from any public land. If left unoccupied during the day, they can be used by anyone. If left overnight, they are fair game to anyone that wants them.

As for building vs buying, unless you get the treated lumber and hardware for free, boughten stands are generally no more in cost and are much more portable.

 

[courtgreene]

I've built wood ladder stands, and still build wood stands, because I just like them. I don't do it because it's cheaper, because it's absolutely NOT. One thing I'll suggest to the OP, I've switched from ladders to tree steps because the rungs of the ladder don't usually last longer than one season. Climbing up them is easier but falling through them makes for a bad day, especially when you land a few rungs down on your crotch.
Another caution. Wasps LOVE THEM, so check out the bottom each time before you climb.

Good luck.

 

[fouled bore]

I hope the pix help maybe you can post them to help this thread.

CC

I have seen many made like this but never have. I have heard they work well enough. I have a hard time finding cheep ladders at yard sales because I don't make it to yard sales. I made some loc-on type years ago that work real well. I had about $40 in making 3 of them. They are a pain to hang and I want something easy to climb into right now. Thanks for the ideas.

 

[fouled bore]

I hope the pix help maybe you can post them to help this thread.

CC

Here are the last two pics, thanks

 

[fouled bore]

What are the laws for stands on public land where you hunt? Here in Wisconsin, stands must be removed at the end of the day from any public land. If left unoccupied during the day, they can be used by anyone. If left overnight, they are fair game to anyone that wants them.

Indiana, they can be put up in September and must be taken down in January. They must have your contract info.

 

[entropy]

Had a problem with them in two ways:

Squatters, and

people who claimed you were squatting on their stand when you built it. I don't hunt public land anymore.

 

[Captcurt]

And then there is the SAFETY factor.

I have been there, done that, but wisdom comes with age. Back in the good old days we made ladder stands. After a couple of seasons the rungs got loose, the plywood rotted and the nails pulled out.

Now, fifty years later, I can buy a decent ladder stand for less than $100 (Some for as little as $50), or a good climber for the same amount of money. Sportsman's Guide has some cable climbers that work great for around $100 with shipping. They are a little heavy to pack very far but are comfortable and solid.

Whatever you decide, please wear a safety harness. I teach Hunter"s Ed for the Ark Game & Fish Comm. Every year they send me a report of accidents from the previous year. Out of an average of around 30 incidents reported, half will be treestand related. Some even fatal.

 

[buck460XVR]

Had a problem with them in two ways:

Squatters, and

people who claimed you were squatting on their stand when you built it. I don't hunt public land anymore.

This is the reason Wisconsin does not allow stands to be left on public land. The reasoning is, folks will set stands out early and then leave them there all season to "stake out" a territory, in an attempt to reduce pressure/competition from other hunters....IOWs trying to make "private" territory within public access lands. Even to the point of placing stands in several good areas in attempt to keep other hunters from hunting there during the season. There is no discussion, public land in Wisconsin is just that, public. While hunters are expected to be courteous to other hunters already on stand and to keep a safe distance and enough space to allow for a quality hunting experience, if no one is there, the area is fair game for anyone to hunt. A stand can be hung in the morning and left unattended during the day, but must be removed at the end of the day, and it must have the hunters name and/or hunter ID# clearly legible on it.

Carrying a stand to a remote area on public land is a hassle, but it is the same for everyone here. In all honesty, I find many stands left on public land for the whole season.......generally they don't have a name on them, as the violators don't like to advertise themselves. I tend to leave them alone, but have no problem calling them in if I notice they are there for more than a weekend.

 

[AStone]

Subscribed

 

[fouled bore]

Wood $21
Ratchet strap $2
Bolts and screws $5
Total cost $28
Time building it with my son, priceless.

 

[clearcut]

Looks great! Some paint will add years to the engineering.Glad you had fun with your kid.

CC

 

[Hookeye]

I made ladders.
2 of them bolted together.
Deck screws to hold rungs to runners.
At the top I extended a couple runners out and braced at 45 degrees.
Not toward the tree, but away from the tree (keeps ladder closer to trunk).
Made a fold up/out floor.
Top run of ladder was also where seat was.
Could run small chain and lock platform down.
Worked great.

Heavy to lug in and set up though.

Much better to just buy climbing sticks and a hang on stand. I left mine on public ground. Folded my hang on into UP position and locked it. Ran cable around ladder section and locked it.

Nobody took it (was way the hell back though) and nobody could hunt out of it.

Way lighter (but I still ran my deer cart to lug all of that back initially).

 

[Hookeye]

IIRC back when I did some ladders for private ground............I had about $40 in each, plus time and sweat setting up/moving them.

Rural King hang on and ladder sticks......cost twice as much.

That I think the better deal IMHO.

 

[Hookeye]

Had a K5 back in the day, loaded ladder sections across top.
Had wife and kids help set first one up (not much help BTW).
Did see a 180 class on the way up...........the old lady still remembers that monster along the highway!

Smaller 4x4. Hunt different ground.

Ladder sticks and hang on way easier.
Private ground I'll hang some of my other stands......use screw in steps (EZY).

My trusty Ol' Man Tara doesn't get left out.

We've had problems with thieves on our private ground.

 

[tomturkey]

The problem I see with paint is that it can/will cover up cracks. You are further ahead to use a clear stain or linseed oil so you can see a crack before it leads to a disaster.

Also do not stretch the rungs too far apart. It makes it harder to climb or have your foot slip between the rungs. I am still using a ladder I build t years ago for a ladder stand on my tower blind. The rungs are just as tight as they were when it was build as I used galvanized ardox deck nails

 

[Hookeye]

Paint won't last, it fades/peels.
It does help though.
Made mine from untreated wood. So had to paint, helped hide them too (could not see them across the field).
Used screws to secure rungs. Sections were bolted together.
No nails.
No cracks..........anywhere. I took them down after a few yrs, left out all yr long too.
They were probably still usable, but I got tired of the jerk next door sneaking in and hunting out of them.
Use quality materials, construction methods and design.
Should get a min of 5 yrs from such a stand.
One could even make new ones every 5 yrs, trash the old ones, to play it safe.

I've seen a lot of stands on gov and private ground. What some people build is downright scary.

 

[fouled bore]

It is made from all treated wood. 2-2x6x8 ripped in half for the ladder. 1-2x4x8 and 2-1x6x8 deck wood for the platform. 2" deck screws and 3 1/2 carriage bolts holds it together. I thought i'd paint it but believe I will let it weather. Next season it should be a nice shade of Brown.