Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Tower Stand Ideas

Cutting lumber is really not that hard. They have these newfangled things called power saws. miles

Also Mike if you cut the lumber in half >> 4X4 >> you use 1/2 as much, 1/2 the cost.

IMO not a good reason to go 8x8. Going that big everything gets bigger, joists, girders, supports, is more difficult to handle, and weights more. If you don't have a power saw, you would probably save enough to purchase one. You may want to think about having someone build it for you.

Several years ago, I got carried away and built this box stand:



from plans I got here:

http://www.grandstandplans.com/deer-stand.htm

FWIW, the guy who offers these plans says the one he uses now has evolved from years of trial and error searching for the best size. He says bigger is not necessarily better. The floor of the latest version is 40" x 48". I am positive many will think that is too small. But it is perfect for one hunter and accommodates two reasonably well. I've used them with my grandchildren. You can see in all directions by turning your head. I can say that people who have seen and used this one built some of their own.

I know this is overkill, but I had the time and interest and wanted to see how it would turn out. All the ones I know of are set low. If I ever catch up on other projects, I may build another one and get some help putting it up on a tower.

One other comment: If you follow the plans, they are hell for stout. A hurricane blew one over, and nothing was damaged except the case of clay pigeons we had stored inside.

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Dang you saved me a good bit of money --guess I might be able to get one of those cutting devices Miles speaks ! laf..

I might go 5x6 feet looked at an arbor yesterday that was 8 feet tall then 8x8 square -that is getting pretty big.
We hunt hogs at night here in Florida so my reason for going big is because it will be my home away from home. I'll watch for hogs all night then deer all day -then sleep mid day in the blind.
I have car camping equipment -cot -little buddy heater -coffee pot etc. plan on spending a LOT of time in this blind.
As long as I have room to sleep it'll be big enough and 5x6 should be OK.
It's dangerous to hunt all night then drive 65 miles home .
Only 6 feet high too.

Whatever floats UR boat.

You only have to meet UR needs and be happy.

I need to get some pics of mine. Much like many here-16' 6X6's, 4X8 almost too big. next one will likely be 4X4.

Last one was hexagon, 4 foot sides. Works really nice for the wife and I.

Next one in work is an 8x8 square because i had it as a pumphouse... will have a cot in it too...

ain't so much hunting as it is watching and selective shooting, but thats how it is here most times.

Last thing I want is cramped up... we have a 42x48 up close to a feeder for pictures and such at the lease.... damn thing is NOT comfortable for extended periods at all. Just no room to move for 2 of us.

I have a 4x6 and it is just about rite for me. The wife and I can hunt comfortable and also can take the niece or nephew along.
Mine is fully insulated with Sheetrock and carpet for sound barrier. I also put two layers of 3/4 plywood on the floor to help with sound. Kids can move around and the noise is low. Deer don't seem to hear them at all.

build it on wheels,like this. we killed 7 deer out of it the first year i built it.with a swivel office chair and a sand bag i'm good out to 450-500yds


or a ground blind thats very light weight

i can tow the top one with my atv,works great around standing corn

My son is building a "wildlife observation blind" for his Eagle Scout project. He still has to put the railings, walls, siding and roof on.

Couple of suggestions on 'added comfort' - build the walls w/ some insulation inside and/or line the inside with some old shag carpeting. The insulation will help keep things just a few degrees warmer than the bare wood/metal/plastic and the shag adds to that as well as added sound insulation.

we've built a couple each year and have learned that 6x6 is a bit big and I would go with 4x4 so you only have to spin your chair and not roll it to the shooting rail. Keep the walls about 40" and no taller, especially if you need a rest for 450 yard shots.

If those 450 yard shots are reality, then you almost need a full bench around you and my dimensions won't work. You need to design your favorite shooting bench then.

Definitely will have a shelf for a front rest out the window with the long shots. If i have a solid front rest and somewhere to anchor my right elbow i'm rock solid

Edited to ask: is 4x4 big enough for 2 people? I will be by myself most of the time but would like the option of taking one of my kids

I guess I could get my blind elevated, never tried.

Still got a ways to go before i get to your skills steelhead.

Elevated stands and 300 mags are my way. Still wear camo too (Sometimes even in the box blind) and have even been known to hunt a food plot every now and then to shoot does in the evening. But somehow it hasnt slowed me down

Some day i will graduate to the 223ai, a five gallon bucket and bahamiam print shirt...it seems to work well for you

Don't forget the carpet,AC and bug screen. Close up the end on the roof so them damn wasp don't build a nest.
Oh, be sure no snakes can climb in....

4x6 is really much better for two.

I agree. Its a good compromise size.

Mike,

If you want to minimize the work involved, have you considered buying a small garden shed either new or second hand? It would be fairly easy to add legs to get it to the required height...

Regards,

Peter