How to Build a Ladder Stand for Elevated Deer Hunts

By creating your tree stand, you can tailor your hunting strategy and style to your intended environment, providing better elevation and scent control to take the buck of the season.

Where should you start? Today, we take a look at the tools, materials, and tricks you'll need to build your tree stand and some strategies for maximizing usage in the field. 

Before we begin, tho, note that this resource is not a blueprint for a DIY stand. Use this blog as a starting point for ideas, then be sure to conduct additional research to create a stand that is sturdy, reliable, and safe.

Building Your Ladder Stand: What to Consider

Making your own hunting ladder is a rewarding and exciting project that can save you money over commercial options, which can easily reach hundreds of dollars in cost. By building a custom ladder stand, you'll be able to customize it to your unique hunting needs and intended environment. 

Nuts, Bolts, and More: Basic Materials for a DIY Stand

For the ladder's frame and structure, treated lumber or steel tubing can be good options. These materials are durable and weather-resistant options.

However, your choice should reflect your design needs. To secure the structure, you'll also need bolts, nuts, washers, and locking pins or screws. 

Compared to a regular ladder, ladder tree stands should have additional touches, including non-slip platform material (mesh grate or plywood with grip tape), outdoor-rated seat cushion material or molded plastic, and safety harness attachment points. 

Again, safety must be a priority. Pattern your structure and choose materials similar to commercial stands that must pass rigorous safety standards, to take note of what you'll need to include to make it safe for hunts.

What Tools Do You Need?

Depending on the materials, use a decent saw for clean cuts through either wood or metal, and a drill and bit set for securing rungs and seats.

You may also need wrenches, a socket set, a level and measuring tape, and, for a more advanced build, a welding kit for metal. 

Design Tips 

Your ladder deer stand should probably be 15-20 feet tall, which is the ideal vantage point for most deer hunting scenarios.

Then, when planning and setting the ladder, angle it at 70–75 degrees for safety and ease of climb. Add a padded shooting rail or armrests for bow or rifle hunting, and include a foldable seat with back support for prolonged sitting. 

To start the assembly of the ladder:

• Collect your materials and make the intended cuts to the required length with the saw.
• Drill holes for your screws or bolts and attach the ladder rungs to the side rails, ensuring each is evenly spaced. Double-check all attachment points for stability.

To construct the stand, follow similar steps, including laying out your stand pieces of treated wood, attaching them with galvanized screws, and using a tape measure and level to check that it is perfectly leveled. 

Put Safety First

Yes, we're highlighting safety again! We can't stress enough that every element of your DIY ladder stand must keep you safe during a hunt.

For all DIY projects, especially those involving tree stands and ladders that support elevated hunting, safety is the most crucial consideration — and safety starts with the build.

To help with the integrity of the legs, we recommend:

• Using screws or bolts instead of nails.
• Consider using a delicate layering of wood glue for additional strength.
• Notch out the legs for a snug fit and to ensure they don't peel off when you're making your ascent.
• Consider adding anti-slip textured rubber for additional grip and safety when climbing and setting up the ladder.

Additionally, when assembling your stand and using tools, use safety glasses, gloves, and all appropriate safety gear, including welding protection. 

Where to Put a Tree Stand 

If you're happy with your tree stand and are ready to test it, you'll need to locate an appropriate tree.

Look for live, healthy, and straight trees with at least 12" in diameter. Trees with excessive dead limbs can be dangerous, and a tree with too steep an angle can similarly create an unsafe hunting environment.

As you set it up, consider the area's natural camouflage, including any nearby cover that can break your silhouette, which will be advantageous. Oak and pine trees are often a good choice due to their straight growth and soft bark, which makes climbing them easier. 

What Are Prime Stand Locations?

Mapping out the best stand location will require analyzing the maps and conducting in-person scouting.

Travel corridors, which are the routes that deer take from feeding, bedding, and water access, are always strong starting points due to the frequency and necessity of their use. Field edges or transition points, such as those of agricultural and forest lines, ridges, and saddles, are similarly commonly travelled routes. 

You can also conduct in-person scouting during the rutting period to look for scrape lines or rub routes. 

One of the best ways to target ideal stand locations is to open up your HuntWise map and e-scout the area, especially with topographical insights, and build a base of potential stand locations. Mark the locations in the map after you've set up your stands so you remember where they are for easy access when it's time to hunt.

Then, once you've built your first tree stand, you can create a couple more and establish them at these key points to save time, especially when making last-minute changes to your hunting plans. 

Consider Wind and Thermals 

Getting winded is a big issue when stand hunting, as you're immobile and unable to change your positioning if there's a sudden shift in wind patterns. To help with this, use HuntWise and WindCast to check wind direction and choose a spot where you're unlikely to get winded during a hunt. 

You'll also need to factor in your elevation, as morning thermals could carry your scent. This will change throughout the day, as during the cool afternoon change, your scent may be carried downward as the air sinks. 

How to Put Up a Ladder Tree Stand Safely

After scouting your intended site, the following tips can help you with putting up a ladder tree stand. You can also enlist the help of friends and fellow hunters for more ideas to get the stand safely in place.

• First, clear all underbrush at the base and trim shooting lanes without over-clearing.
• Hunting with a buddy means you have a partner to stabilize while you lift and walk up the ladder.
• This will also assist with safely handling and passing firearms, bows, and other hunting tools. Always use straps or chains to ensure the ladder is snug and secure before climbing. 

To establish the ladder, it's best to approach the securing process in phases.

• Lean the stand into position with the base braced against the tree.
• Then, attach the safety straps at multiple points up the tree at regular intervals.
• Use ratchet straps to lock the platform.
• Ensure all bolts, joints, and anchor points are secure and holding. 

Always wear your harness and attach your tether to the tree as soon as you begin the climb. A lineman's belt can add extra safety during the installation process. 

Pro Hunting Tips for Ladder Stand Use

Tree stands can provide a much-needed advantage on a deer hunt, as long as they are naturally camouflaged, safe, sturdy, and fit into the landscape with little to no obstruction. Add natural brush or camo netting to the sides and platform to avoid silhouetting and provide natural camouflage that will (hopefully) bring big bucks into close range. 

For noise control, oil or pad any metal sections that may squeak, and use padded gloves for climbing and tasks such as drawing a bow or handling binoculars to reduce sound. Additionally, choose low-impact entry points, arrive early, and leave after dark if deer are nearby.

As a final point, don't consider it "one and done" after you get your stand up for the first time. Conduct regular maintenance on your tree stand, including checking for rusted screws and bolts, ensuring the wood is straight and not affected by waterlogging, and replacing any parts that are beginning to wear, as this can quickly become a safety issue. 

For the Best Stand Hunts This Season, Choose HuntWise

Whether you're considering starting your ladder stand DIY project this season or have one ready, use the tips above to maximise its use and get onto some big bucks. Stand hunting is all about placement and precision, which means choosing the best location to set up.

For the best insights into wind direction, thermals, deer movement patterns, and the best stand locations, download the HuntWise app and start planning today. We'll give you your first week in the app free!