How to Build a Hanging Metal Deer Stand

Hunting and game photography demand a physical location that is above the ground. Ninety-five percent of the visual field of view of walking game is limited to 10 feet above ground level. Permanent solutions are often complex mini-houses built of timber and treated lumber. For hunting on private land or in national forests, permanent blinds and tree stands are not an option. The answer is a strong and safe tree stand that is easily carried yet capable of being lifted in place safely and securely. That means using a hanging, self-supporting metal deer stand with a safety harness.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • T-square
  • Permanent marker
  • 3/4-inch square steel tube
  • Power hacksaw
  • 140-amp stick welder
  • Smooth-surface expanded steel sheet
  • Four 4-inch long 2-by-1-inch mounting brackets
  • Plywood-backed 12-by-18-inch outdoor replacement cushion
  • 1/2-by-3/4-inch machine screws
  • Two 3-inch wide, adjustable 8-foot snap-lock straps
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure and mark four pieces of 3/4-inch steel tube for the foot panel, two pieces 30 inches in length and two pieces 18 inches in length. Cut four pieces of the tubing for the seat panel, two 18-inch pieces and two 12-inch pieces. Cut two 22-inch pieces for the seat risers. Mount the tubing in a steel vise and cut them with a power hacksaw. Use a steel file to clean up the edges.

    • 2

      Measure, mark and cut two pieces of expanded steel sheet, one 19 1/2-by-30-inch piece and one 13 1/2-by-18-inch piece.

    • 3

      Weld the two 30-inch and two 18-inch pieces of steel tubing into a 19 1/2-by-30-inch rectangle. Weld two 18-inch and two 12-inch pieces of tubing into an 13 1/2-by-18 inch rectangle.

    • 4

      Weld the expanded steel sheets to the two rectangles.

    • 5

      Measure and mark two weld locations, at 12 and 18 inches, on the long side of the 19 1/2-by-30-inch foot panel. Measure and mark two weld locations, at 6 and 12 inches, on the long side of the 13 1/2-by-18-inch seat panel.

    • 6

      Weld the two 22-inch pieces of steel tube to the four weld locations on the two panels.

    • 7

      Weld the four mounting brackets to the front-facing side of the 22-inch seat risers to hold the snap-lock mounting straps. Weld two at 2 inches under the seat panel and two at 2 inches above the foot panel.

    • 8

      Attach the seat cushion to the seat panel with 1/2-by-3/4-inch machine screws through 1/2-inch washers through the expanded metal sheet and into the base of the seat cushion.

    • 9

      Feed two 3-inch wide, adjustable 8-foot snap-lock straps through the brackets and snap them together for the tree wrap-around support lines.