Just a few comments on the lessons I learned building my first deer stand.

1. Build the stand around three key variables: the hunter, the windows you plan on installing, and the chair. This will affect window height, interior height and width, and how you frame out the windows.

2. Prior to building, think about you will transport the deer stand to the woods and the equipment/ people you will need to set it up. Also think about low overhead crossings along your route.

3. If your going to build it, build it to last. Cutting the corners only results in a poor product in the end. Do it right the first time.

4. Price all materials in multiple places before you buy. You might save some money.

5. If you build a stand with a stud frame design like mine, 24" stud centers is strong enough. I built mine on 16" stud centers and it just added to the weight.

6. Metal roofing is always cheaper than asphalt shingled roof.

7. Build everything out of treated material and cover it with paint for exterior exposure. This will increase the life of the stand.

8. Water is your enemy with wooden structures. Caulk, seal, and paint all that you can.

9. If your going to spend the money, build it the way you want it the first time.

10. Take your time, design, plan, and build it right.







Good luck this hunting season.
BearkatHunter2011

Looks good. I sat down with a pen and paper and added up materials. I have terrible building skills and it is cheaper for me to buy one from someone that knows how to build one. I know it would be a multi day project. I wish I had the skills that a lot of yall have.

That is a masterpiece! Glad we have such good info on the THF!

That is one heavy looking beast right there! Heres a few I learned over the years. Yellow pine & pt are freaking heavy! Make sure you put the window height to your comfort level, not what someone else says. Put in lot's of shelves for drinks, binos, magazines, etc. Don't use plexi-glass for windows.

You have given some very sound advice there my friend, as someone who builds game hoist and winch feeders I have to deal with the cost aspect all the time. You are absolutly correct if you do it right the first time you will always save money.
The other side of the coin though is now that you have learned a little more build another next year, take your time and let your imagination run wild you will love the final product and you can always sell this one if need be. Good Hunting.

Why no plexi glass for the windows?

It will yellow, get brittle & crack, and scratch while wiping off the dust. Lexan is far superior, of course it cost 3x as much. I prefer glass since it is so hard to scratch, the only downside to glass is when the wind blows it just right it will rattle a little.

Awesome, and some good advice. I do disagree with #6 though, having a neighbor with 10 bundles of free shingles is im fact cheaper than corrugayed sheet metal

Standman, you are right. Free is always best. If your tight on the money, good with steel roofing.

Framed mine out 4' x4' x 7'tall, on 16" centers, 1/4 plywood walls, gun rack to lean gun on, 2 shelves,shingled roof,3/4 " floor, for about $130. Painted the exterior camo and covered the side facing my feeder with camo burlap. Plus I still have all of the nails for my nail gun and some of the paint left over. I always look for busted packages of shingles that they sell for $5 a bundle. Saves a little cash.

Good list to go by if you want to build one. I built one this summer and put runners on it to pull it around to various spots. Use it during 1st weeks of archery season. Was in it when the Big Storm blew thru Brown Coounty. Lots of lightening during the storm and I will be replacing the tin roof with asphalt shingles to reduce chance of attracting a bolt of lighting. Cabelas had sale on Primos Blinds after 2010 hunting season, and I bought two for about 1/2 what it cost me to build a blind using pressure treated lumber and glass windows. I'm 6'1" and can stand up in the Primos blind and plenty of room for 2 hunters. Easy set up and take down, so in future I'll go with the Primos blinds w/shoot thru window netting rather than build one.