Permanent tree stands. What's your oppinion?

[VA Elite]

this is one occurrence when I will choose modern technology over tradition..

[bowmad]

Jakeemt great idea with the compressed decking lumber. As far as the tree is concerned I dont have any picked out yet but in my mind I'm leaning towards something you can't get a climber into. I want to place them where they will be as inconspicuous as possible. I'd like to not even have a ladder if at all possible but that may be a pipedream on the safety side. Has anybody had a design without a ladder that worked for well for them that was just a platform attached to the tree? Like I said before, I dont mind maintenance.

[Hoyt]

I can still remember the sounds of early bow season many yrs ago. Hammering.

This was a time before commercial portable stands and the only ones hunting from trees either built or had built a loc on, permanent stand or just climbed up and sat or stood on a good limb.

There wasn't many bow hunters back then and the gun hunters would take to the woods to build there permanent tree stands during bow season.

I've hunted out of my share of the old ones..but never built one or drug a ladder through the woods.

[SuperK]

When we were younger (back in the 70's), all the guys that hunted had stories (and scars) of homemade tree stands that broke, pulled away from the tree, collapsed etc.  Save yourself a big medical bill and buy a good one.

[degabe]

Just hunt from a ground stand you won't have too far to fall if it gives out on you.

[Jakeemt]

Originally posted by fnshtr:
I have hunted a stand this year that my late father hunted from 30 years ago. My son rebuilt the stand a little higher than the original about 4 years ago and my grandson missed his first buck out of it last year. I had to repair it last year after a wind storm.

I am hoping my 17 year old grandson can take one from it this year as that will be 4 generations of successful hunting from the tree. I figure that big old oak will still be around when I'm gone.
Nostalgia!!!

Now this is just about the coolest and best reason I have ever heard to build a permanent tree stand! That is really cool!

[fnshtr]

Jake: thanks. I had a doe and fawn within 20 yards of that tree last evening. If the doe had been alone I may have put another notch on the stand.

My grandson will be hunting from it tomorrow.        

[Roadkill]

getthose guys who build houses in trees to build them for you.  they seemed to have engineered around many of the above cautions-yes, they are dangerous!
Before the baker noise maker, all such were nailed to trees or other wise propped up on them. Nothing like climbing in one before dawn and realize after sunrise the wasps like that very spot too!  and they are partially using the ladder.

[fnshtr]

I think it is important to build them as close to where the trunk/limbs separate as possible. That area does not move with the wind nearly as much as farther up the tree. It obviously takes the right tree to put a good stand in.

I am working on a couple of ideas for building platforms that have "give" build in. Large washers, lag bolts and elongated holes in the support braces. Also have an idea using steel tree steps.

I would never build one like the pictures above. Mine are simple platforms with seats and usually rails (for the younger hunters in the family). I like to pick up older aluminum ladders at yard sales and paint them with flat brown, black and green splotches. You can quickly seal the rung ends and they almost last forever.

Good luck!!!