How to Build a Hunting Platform

A hunting platform is used in stationary deer hunting. Platforms raise the hunter 8 to 15 feet above ground level, which allows for a greater range of sight for the hunter and limits the ability of the deer to smell him. Platforms can either be open or closed structures that give a hunter a comfortable place to sit and a stand to rest his rifle on during extended hunting periods.

Things You'll Need

  • 4 4-by-4s, 16 feet long
  • 4 4-by-4s, 8 feet long
  • 14 2-by-4s, 12 feet long
  • 3 2-by-6s, 8 feet long
  • 3 plywood sheets, 8 feet by 4 feet and 3/8-inch
  • 4 40-lb bags of cement mix
  • Measuring tape
  • Circular saw
  • Hammer
  • Framing nails
  • Post hole digger
  • 4 pieces of 3/4-inch rebar, 4 feet long
  • Level
  • Electric drill with Philips head driver
  • Wood screws
  • Jigsaw
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Instructions

  1. Making the Ladder

    • 1

      Measure out eight 16-inch sections on a 12-foot 2-by-4. Cut these sections with the circular saw. These sections will serve as the rungs of ladder.

    • 2

      Lay out two 12-foot 2-by-4s parallel to each other. Start at the bottom and measure 16 inches from the ends of the 12-foot 2-by-4s; mark the boards here. Place the a 16-inch 2-by-4 across the parallel 2-by-4s so that the top is at the 16-inch mark. Nail this in place with framing nails. This will be the first rung of the ladder.

    • 3

      Place the rest of the 16-inch pieces every 16 inches and secure them with framing nails.

    Setting the Posts

    • 4

      Measure out a square on the ground with corners 45 inches apart on the outside edge.

    • 5

      Dig 2-foot-deep holes on the interior of each corner with the post hole digger.

    • 6

      Set the 16-foot 4-by-4s in each of the post holes.

    • 7

      Level the post and pound a piece of rebar next to it to keep it level.

    • 8

      Mix one quarter of the cement mix and pour it in the first post hole.

    • 9

      Place the remaining post holes in the same manner as the first.

    • 10

      Nail two 12-foot 2-by-4s in an X on the exterior of two of the support posts to create cross braces. Do this for all four sides of the structure. There is no need to nail the center of the X.

    Adding the Platform

    • 11

      Measure out and cut four 45-inch and two 48-inch 2-by-4 pieces. These will be the floor joists.

    • 12

      Nail two 45-inch and two 48-inch joists to the interior of the structure 10 feet above the ground.

    • 13

      Install the last two joists on the interior of the square so that they are each 15 inches from the sides.

    • 14

      Cut a 3/8-inch piece of plywood in half creating two 48-inch square pieces. Then cut a 3 3/4-inch square out of each corner to account for the support beams.

    • 15

      Screw down the first piece of of 3/8-inch board on the floor joists.

    • 16

      Drop the second piece of plywood directly on top of the first and nail it in place with framing nails. This creates a 3/4-inch floor with room for expansion and contraction where an individual piece of 3/4-inch ply doesn't give this kind of flexibility.

    Adding the Walls and Roof

    • 17

      Measure out four 34-inch-by-45-inch pieces of 3/8-inch plywood and cut them out.

    • 18

      Rest three of the 34-inch-by-45-inch pieces on the floor in the front and sides of the frame and nail them in with framing nails.

    • 19

      Cut the tops of the support posts off with a jigsaw so they are level with the sides.

    • 20

      Measure and cut three 35-inch and two 48-inch sections of 2-by-4. These will be the roof rafters.

    • 21

      Install the rafters six feet above the floor of the platform. Use two 48-inch and two 35-inch rafters to create a 48-inch-by-38-inch rectangle. Insert the remaining rafter 17 1/2 inches from the walls.

    • 22

      Measure and cut two 28-inch-by-48-inch pieces of 3/8-inch plywood.

    • 23

      Place these two pieces of plywood on top of the rafters and nail them in place.

    Making the Door

    • 24

      Measure and cut a 3/8-inch piece of plywood into a 34-inch-by-21-inch piece and a 34-inch-by-24-inch.

    • 25

      Measure and cut a 34-inch and 16-inch piece of 2-by-4.

    • 26

      Nail the 34-inch-by-21-inch piece of 3/8-inch plywood to one side of the open side of the platform. Frame it in place with the 34-inch and 16-inch piece of 2-by-4.

    • 27

      Screw one side of the hinge into the center of the inside edge of the 34-inch-by-24-inch piece of plywood. Screw the other side of the hinge to the center of the newly created half wall.

    • 28

      Add an eyehook latch to the outside edge of the door to keep it secure. Eyehooks should be placed on both the inside and outside of the wall so that it can be latched whether it is in use or not.