I designed, built, and use, a twelve foot tall 2"x4" Pressure Treated Southern Yellow Pine (PTSYP) tree stand that I call "Hell for Stout!"
The cost of lumber and fastners was immaterial. I don't want this thing "growing legs" while I'm not there and I want to know something stout is resisting the gravity working on my butt when I sit down for the day.
I use 2"x4" Pressure Treated Southern Yellow Pine (PTSYP) post and beam ladder rungs, 3/4" marine (best) or CDX plywood for the seat and foot rest; 3" galvanized screws for fasteners in individually pre-drilled pilot holes; a notch in the upper seat, a chain, and turnbuckle, to control the stand from circling the tree; a surrounding arm/gun rest; a canvas screen; and a lock through the chain and turnbuckle for added security.
At initial installation the key is to securely rest the legs on flat pieces of concrete or brick. This keeps the legs from direct contact with wet ground, helps to maintain level, and slows settlement. The stand weighs approximately 125 pounds when constructed, is ungainly to erect by yourself (but I have done it), can be used by two people at one time (great for my sons and I to spend some "quality time"), and if properly maintained (painted and the legs kept from direct ground contact) should last 5 years or more when left in the woods full time (no guarantee it won't "grow legs" - but it will be a bummer for someone to get down and carry out).
If you have an adjacent road, fence line you can drive, or field edge (not necessarily recommended for the deep forest unless you have eaten your Wheaties), give this "Hell for Stout" Treestand a look or a try. Let me know what you think.
SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED and while all (all important pieces anyway) of the parts are shown in their entirety, none of the assembly instructions are (because I didn't need any to erect it in the first place and I didn't write any down), so you will have to figure out some things for yourself or E-mail me for a (half-heimers) explanation.
See the following site for some tree stand tips and remember Personal Safety is the most critical aspect of tree stand enjoyment.
