Ultimate Hunting Stand

Making the best free standing hunting blind, for a more comfortable safer hunt, you can share with a friend.

My father in law wanted to make a new hunting platform, he had a few goals for this project. First he wanted to make a new blind in the most deer heavy area of his woods , a crossroads with a feeder in it . Since it was in a crossroads he needed to be able to shoot out of it on all sides. he also had a bad fall out of a tree stand a few years ago so he wanted this stand to be safer and easier to get in and out of , and lastly he wanted it big enough that he can get his grandson out and teach him to hunt.

this would be great for anyone who has any similar needs or goals, especially if you want to take someone out with you

Step 1: Build a Platform

First thing my father in law did was to build a platform , it is 8' square and 10' tall. it is build like you would any other deck with the exception of the four corner brackets. these were from Menards found in the playground section they are normally used to make swing sets. he used joist hangers for strength and composite deck boards so they don't rot in the weather. The ladder comes up in the middle of the platform for safety so you don't have to climb over the edge. also the legs are on wide footpads to keep it stable and so it doesn't sink in mud

Step 2: Put a Blind on It

My father in law had this popup blind so I helped him lift it on to the platform, then we used screws with washers in the loops of the blind (usually used to stake it to the ground ) and screwed it straight to the decking. this will keep it from blowing away in the wind

Step 3: Add Luxury

The blind would be perfectly functional as is, but we wanted some seats inside , and we had access to a old RV which had these two seats in them, they swivel and slide, we laid them out and drilled and bolted the seats in place so they are nice and secure , making sure to use heavy bolts and lock washers.

This will make it easier on the old bones of you have been hunting awhile or more appealing to the younger kids , this blind I think will be very good for teaching new hunters.

In the future we are going to build a rail all around the inside as a gun rest and a trap door to cover the ladder entrance , I am also thinking of adding some sort of heater system in the future but for now it's still an awesome blind ready for hunting season