How to Build a Bow-Hunting Tree Stand
- 1
A clearing on one side is ideal.
Choose the location for your bow-hunting tree stand. Scope out the exact tree and determine the height where the landing will need to be. Ideally, there should be large branches near the landing area to offer support. You should be high enough to be hidden in the limbs, yet low enough to get a good shot. You should also be able to shoot your bow all the way around the tree. A large landing will help you do this. Cut away branches that may block a shot. Clearing of branches should be completed well before hunting season begins. An open field on one side is ideal because large mammals enjoy grazing in fields that have crops or hay growing. - 2). Cut one of the 2 by 4s into six 2-foot pieces. These will be your steps. Cut eight 3-foot pieces from your 1 by 6s. Six of these are your floorboards for your landing; it will be a square, 3 by 3 feet. The other two will be used for braces to secure your ladder to your landing. Cut another 2 by 4 into four 3-foot pieces. This will be built into the square frame for your landing. Cut the final 12-foot 2 by 4 into half. These two 6-foot pieces will brace your landing to the tree.
- 3). Lay two of the 2 by 4s side by side on the ground. You are going to make these into your ladder by attaching your 2-foot sections as steps. Begin about 2 feet up from one end of the boards. If that is too high, space the steps as far apart as you can reach to climb into the tree stand carrying your bow. Use two of your 3-inch screws on each end of each 2-foot step to attach it to the 12-foot 2 by 4s. Repeat this for each step up the ladder.
- 4). Arrange your four 3-foot pieces of 2 by 4s into a square. Use two of your 3-inch screws to attach each corner. Place the 3-foot pieces of 1 by 6s side-by-side on top of the 2 by 4 frame you just built. Use two of your 1 5/8-inch screws to attach each end of the 1 by 6s to the frame. You may want to wait to attach the landing to the ladder until you get out to the tree. You can attach it now, but keep in mind that it will be very heavy. If you need to carry it deep into the woods by hand, it will be difficult.
- 5). Attach your ladder top to the 2 by 4 frame of your landing using two corner brackets and 3-inch screws. Then attach a 3-foot 1 by 6 at an angle from the ladder to the frame of the landing on each side of the ladder. Use corner brackets and 3-inch screws at each connection.
- 6). Bolt one side of the landing frame to the tree using two of the 6-inch bolts. Now place the two 6-foot pieces of 2 by 4 at an angle from the tree below the landing up toward the outer edge of the landing. Bolt these to the tree using the 6-inch bolts. Screw the opposite ends to the base of the landing using 3-inch screws. Your bow-hunting tree stand is ready for hunting.
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