The deer season opener is just around the corner, and this DIY deer stand is just what you need!
This deer stand is 17 feet up in the air, giving you a wide view. It also comes with an optional blind and a roof. These features will keep you more concealed and comfortable while waiting for your whitetails!
By the way, we have two different plan options for this build: a simpler single deer stand, and a somewhat more complex double deer stand.
Building the DIY Deer Stand Ladder
We obtained 16-footer 2x4s for the ladder. Our plan was to use 10-degree angles for each rung. We intended to work on the ladder with the miter saw before we built the frame.
We used the predetermined stops on the miter saw to cut 10-degree angles on either side of one piece. This was meant to be used as a template.
Here, we used our nail gun to add some shear strength to the ladder. This is where the template piece came in handy. It allowed us to eyeball how far apart we needed to punch in our nails.
With one side completed, we were able to move on to affixing the other end of the ladder. We continued to use our template to space out the rung pieces.
Building the Frame for the DIY Deer Stand
Side Pieces
With the ladder complete, we used our miter saw to cut the pieces for the frame of the box blind platform. We measured the boards for each side of the frame with a square before fastening them together with the nail gun.
Next, we fastened one end of each side of the frame at an angle.
Here are the completed side pieces for the frame. Notice that the angled ends are at the back of the frame.
Seat and Footboard Pieces
Some of the leftover wood from our deck build came in handy for building the deer stand’s seat. We measured to make sure we wouldn’t hit any nails, then we cut the boards down to size. After cutting, we pulled out any remaining nails.
With the boards prepared, it was up to the nail gun to fasten the pieces for the deer stand’s seat.
We placed a board on its side to get the appropriate spacing, then we brought in our 10-degree spacing board from earlier to make sure that we had the right angle.
At that point, it was a cinch to mark out a line with a pencil and then nail the board into place.
We nailed the other structural boards into place, making ourselves a nice little seat and footrest.
We had plenty of boards to spare, so we were hardly finished. The extra boards were nailed in some more footboards to create a floor for the platform.
Attaching the Ladder to the Frame
Interface Pieces
Next, we nailed on some smaller boards to the front of the frame. These provided an interface on which the ladder could be attached to the stand itself.
Perhaps the most complicated cut in the entire build was for the piece pictured below, which was the board on which the ladder was to be bolted onto the frame of the blind itself.
We made sure to measure carefully, used a diagonally-placed board as a straight edge, then we cut incredibly carefully with a circular saw.
The safest way to make this cut while keeping your hand free and clear of the saw is to cut in two stages: first with your hand ahead of the saw, then with your hand behind the saw.
Once those pieces were cut, it was a simple task to nail them into place.
Installing the Ladder
Here we are installing the ladder. Note that in the provided plans, the layout is slightly different, so the ladder you build will not go up to the top rail as depicted in the photo below and in the video above.
Strengthening the Frame
With the ladder installed through the use of the nail gun, we created additional reinforcement through the use of various Power Pro screws, as well as 4- and 5-inch structural bolts. The larger bolts were used for the top of the structure, and the smaller screws for the lower parts.
Structural screws or lag bolts are essential for the safety of the upper part of the frame. Since the upper portion is going to bear the brunt of the force in holding the stand up in the air, mere screws won’t cut it.
Next, we added some cross-braces for the bottom of the platform.
Here, we cut out teeth to bite into the tree for a better grip at the bottom of the stand.
Roofing and Side Panels
Next, we cut and installed our paneling for the roof and modular sides of the DIY deer stand. Here, we used Onduline North America’s Ondura Premium series of panels, which are available in a variety of colors at your local Lowe’s.
These durable, quick-to-install panels provide three functions for the deer stand:
- Provide concealment from a deer’s eyesight
- Block some of the wind to keep the user more comfortable
- Keep the rain off of the user during more inclement weather
Installing the DIY Deer Stand
Hoisting the Stand
Once we were at our desired location for the stand, we found that the Wife was right (no surprise) and that the deer stand was heavier than we’d thought. Wanting to work smarter rather than harder, we decided to use the truck to hoist the stand up through our pulley system.
With some care, horsepower, and a bit of elbow grease, we were able to hoist the stand into place up in the tree. The next task was to ratchet the stand tight against the tree for additional security.
Affixing the Stand
We made an adjustment with our stand (taken care of in the plans) so that the bottom interfaced properly with the side of the tree (see the photo on the left, where the metal teeth are biting into the tree).
It was also necessary to fasten the modular sides into place through some judicious drilling.
With some help from the kids, we lifted the roof into place, set it onto one of the corner boards, then rocked it into place.
Thanks to our offset board from earlier, we had the correct angle to fasten the roof to the back of the stand’s frame.
Final Thoughts
After adding some extra screws to make sure the panels would be secure against the wind, we were free to look out onto the landscape and anticipate the opportunity to put this new DIY deer stand to good use!
Between the weather protection, the unbeatable view, and the promise of peace and quiet, this deer stand is ready to help us enjoy hunting season!
2 thoughts on “DIY 2×4 Deer Stand with Box Blind for Deer Hunting”
Hello Tyler,
Nice job!
I’m retired and would like to build something like this as a summer project, next year.
I’m not skilled in building but it appears straight forward enough that even I could build one with safety being utmost importance.
Thank you for sharing, stay safe
Steve
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