Box Stands for Deer Hunting

[shootinstuff]

All the National Forest and WMA's I know of has a you bring it in and must take it out when you leave that day policy. Also no nail's etc. used in trees. I have some land leased that buts up against WMA land. There is a old logging road that runs through this property and I carry a ladder stand about 5 yards off my leased land onto WMA land and I must remove it when I leave. I take it just across the WMA property line onto my land and lay it down. Where I hunt on this land to get to the road you have to cross my lease land which is posted NO TRESSPASSING. I left the stand up the first year I hunted the land but a WMA person came by from the other end and saw it and talked to the land owner of the land I lease and told him if the stand was mine he would cut me some slack this time but it MUST BE REMOVED when I leave every day. Kind of picky over 5 yards distance but it is the law.

Yep, that is generally the way that I understand it in Tennessee except that I have asked the game warden that is assigned to a state WMA in my area if I can leave a stand up during deer season. He said it was okay as long as I removed it the last day of deer season. But I can tell you that rule of taking stands down after season is closed is violated often. Just last week I was scouting on the WMA (with deer season closed) and I came across a ladder stand. Granted it was deep in a swamp but it was there. Also, I know of no less than four portable stands right now that are on that WMA. I see them there during turkey season! But don't point a finger at me. I take my portables down the last day of deer season even on my own property.

On National Forest land I would not even bother to ask if I could leave a stand up over night. I'm not that dumb.

 

[fredo]

Wow Mike, that's some roof structure!

Same in our AO, "permanent" stands are a 'no-no' on public lands. Doesn't seem to stop everyone, as we've come across plenty, over the years. One takeaway is that, if someone took the time to build anything involved, it's prolly a dang good hunting spot!

Thankfully, we have our own land to build huts for. Picked up a nice set of corner bracket 'elevators' from an individual on e-Gay, they are REALLY stout! Much improved over store bought. Will snap some pics next weekend, hope to have both of our new huts set in place by then!!!

 

[2506]

On National Forest land I would not even bother to ask if I could leave a stand up over night. I'm not that dumb.

On National Forest here in East TN your lucky if someone does not try to steal your stand while you are in it much less if you left it there a day or two. LOL

 

[shootinstuff]

On National Forest here in East TN your lucky if someone does not try to steal your stand while you are in it much less if you left it there a day or two. LOL

Yep, on public land that is an issue. I once talked to a fellow on the WMA that said he had a hang-on stolen that he had pad-locked to the tree. They had apparently taken a bolt cutter up the tree and cut the chain/cable. I once had a homemade Baker stolen out of my tent at LBL. But that was about 40 years ago.

You referenced that you use ladder stands. Don't have one myself but I'm wondering now if a commercial ladder stand could be modified to have a pop-up on top. What Immike is essentially doing is building a ladder stand and then building a box on top. Hmmm. Pardon the pun - just trying to think outside the box. LOL

 

[Immike]

Yep, on public land that is an issue. I once talked to a fellow on the WMA that said he had a hang-on stolen that he had pad-locked to the tree. They had apparently taken a bolt cutter up the tree and cut the chain/cable. I once had a homemade Baker stolen out of my tent at LBL. But that was about 40 years ago.

You referenced that you use ladder stands. Don't have one myself but I'm wondering now if a commercial ladder stand could be modified to have a pop-up on top. What Immike is essentially doing is building a ladder stand and then building a box on top. Hmmm. Pardon the pun - just trying to think outside the box. LOL

I have built 2 smaller ones for a customer that have a short (24”) railing and wire floor for a 5x5 pop up to fit just outside the railing. Actually they were for me and he bought them before I could get out of here with them. He loves them and I went bigger

 

[pirate ammo]

I have built 2 smaller ones for a customer that have a short railing and wire floor for a 5x5 pop up to fit on. Actually they were for me and he bought them before I could get out of here with them. He loves them and I went bigger

glad to see you made it back, you must of took a long nap on arrival,,

 

[Immike]

glad to see you made it back, you must of took a long nap on arrival,,

I was rested until this morning, cut and split 4 truckloads and 2 trailers in 5 hrs today. Loading up the water pump gear now for the turnips, rape and clover. My engine is running out of gas pretty fast right now. Lol

 

[snert]

Mike, that is a lot of wood to put in some one elses garage (Glen's apparently)!

 

[Immike]

Mike, that is a lot of wood to put in some one elses garage (Glen's apparently)!

Lol, we already put 3 truckloads in Glen’s shed before the picture, mine is still loaded unfortunately. Can’t hardly walk after that. Lol I do all the cutting so I’m pretty sore right now..... I loaded up my pump and did a 911 watering on my food plot while it’s alive, not done but kept the turnips alive. Clover needs mowing again, great! Cleaned my stand and somehow removed this wasp nest without getting stung to death. Lol
Look at the bases on this young buck in velvet.

 

[markT]

I finally got my box stand done. 16' to the floor/ 6' x 7'.. 7' at the back sloping to 6' at the front. My friend said " that stand will kill." A lot of work. Hope the deer like it.

 

[shootinstuff]

I have built 2 smaller ones for a customer that have a short (24”) railing and wire floor for a 5x5 pop up to fit just outside the railing. Actually they were for me and he bought them before I could get out of here with them. He loves them and I went bigger

What type of wire did you use for the floor? My guess is that you used 2x4 treated pine for the railing. Please inform!

 

[Immike]

What type of wire did you use for the floor? My guess is that you used 2x4 treated pine for the railing. Please inform!

They were all 1 1/2” 11ga steel tubing with expanded #9 on the floor w 16’ ladders. V jaw with teeth for attaching to one large tree with chain binder.
The knee high railing was 1 1/4” 14ga material and was intended to allow the pop up to be zip tied to the frame better. Both had a post and swivel base welded 6” back from center.

 

[JFrank]

View attachment 1031186

6x6 insulated, heated, bug proof, and solar power for phones and computer and so on.

Don't forget internet for load data!

 

[pirate ammo]

They were all 1 1/2” 11ga steel tubing with expanded #9 on the floor w 16’ ladders. V jaw with teeth for attaching to one large tree with chain binder.
The knee high railing was 1 1/4” 14ga material and was intended to allow the pop up to be zip tied to the frame better. Both had a post and swivel base welded 6” back from center.

I split all my wood with an ax, takes me longer,,

 

[Immike]

There’s a 6 x 8 stand in the trees somewhere! Things are looking better out here now and cool is in the forecast tomorrow! Been a tough dry year but I think I got some food now for them. Almost lost my turnip crop but I think it's alright. Out here now finishing the watering

 

[fredo]

Made 'flip out' plexi windows, slapped some duck boat primer on, and rattle canned some accents on exterior. Good enough for now, will do the 'finishing touches' after they are in place...

Left the plastic peel away on the plexiglass to protect it. So, just hafta trim around the edge & remove it before final bead of silicone around the windows. Hoping the 'flip out' windows will serve as an awning of sorts for rain/snow...

 

[shootinstuff]

They were all 1 1/2” 11ga steel tubing with expanded #9 on the floor w 16’ ladders. V jaw with teeth for attaching to one large tree with chain binder.
The knee high railing was 1 1/4” 14ga material and was intended to allow the pop up to be zip tied to the frame better. Both had a post and swivel base welded 6” back from center.

That buck looks like he is hungry for turnips! Really a great idea to plant food plots. I quarter share my property to my farmer cousin. He plants soybeans on most of it. I don't have the equipment to plant anything so I guess that I would have to talk him into it.

Sorry for all the questions, just one more. Where do you buy your floor wire, steel tubing etc. for your stands?

 

[Immike]

That buck looks like he is hungry for turnips! Really a great idea to plant food plots. I quarter share my property to my farmer cousin. He plants soybeans on most of it. I don't have the equipment to plant anything so I guess that I would have to talk him into it.

Sorry for all the questions, just one more. Where do you buy your floor wire, steel tubing etc. for your stands?

Yes he does look really pulled down from the dry year. He is stretching up to smell a licking limb that is about 6’ off the ground.

Steel is something that should be shopped for by simply making a material list and going to the phone book for local steel suppliers. Ask local welding shops where they buy and get bids on your list. The pricing can vary a lot so take the time to make a few calls. Most will deliver right to your door or you can pick up.

Food plots and box stands seem to belong in the same category. I just enjoy seeing deer every time I go out even if it’s just a doe and fawns feeding around the stand. A simple bag of wheat or rye raked into the ground will make a local visit every day for a bite. Pets I call them and never shoot at them. They serve as my eyes and ears....

 

[Westhunder]

View attachment 1066465 View attachment 1066364 My project has set on the back burner long enough, have everything now so will finish and install by next weekend hopefully. It’s time for this to come together.

so this is the first time I've seen a hip roof on a deer stand.... nicely done!

 

[Immike]

View attachment 1067222

so this is the first time I've seen a hip roof on a deer stand.... nicely done!

Almost ready to go!