Howdy OB

I have been hunting in a 4x4 plywood box deerstand and it's starting to rot. The stand was pretty freaking old when I claimed it and I refurbished it. I'm at the point where I'm ready to take the girls hunting and I need more space. Also if it was big enough I could even take the rib hunting again. So size wise I'm thinking a 5x8

the square tube frame blinds really pique my intrest. It would seem that you could simply attach your siding to the square tube and if it ever becomes damaged you could just unscrew off the broken part and put on some new material. The only downside is they are pricey.
http://www.bossgamesystems.com
http://bittercreekblinds.com

The plastic blinds seem like a viable option as well. I've seen a sportsmans condo blind and it seemed serviceable.
http://sportsmanscondo.com

I did exclude all wood stands, I hunt in Fayette county and the squirrels, buzzards, and wet climate have given us lots of hell and I just want a deer stand to last forever, or at least a long time.


My goals are:
To be big enough to comfortably fit 2 adults
Have a shelf around the shooting windows to lay a bean bag on
be extremely durable
be wasp-proof

My FIL lives about 10 min away and he is great at welding/building stuff, in fact that's what he did for most of his life. But he claims he won't build it for me but he would teach me to be a half ass welder and I can use his shop. As far as getting it in the air, was hoping to get our tractor with forks to life it up and put legs underneath. The one thing I have in my favor is time. While I wish I had it yesterday my current blind is serviceable.

So thanks for the help OB

Fishin Texas Aggie 05 said:

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Also if it was big enough I could even take the rib hunting again.

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Jesus, man, how big is she?

There was an incident the last time we went hunting. It was also the second and last deer she is probably ever going to shoot.

Check out the Dillon fiberglass deer stands.

Dillon Stands

Pricey, yes, but very good quality and comfortable. They have shelves and keep moisture and bugs out as good as any other deer stand will. There's quite a few dealers around Texas and we've been pleased with ours.

I'm a big fan of building deer stands, but honestly you can't go wrong with one of these. I feel like 4x6 is a good size stand for 2 people. Bigger doesn't hurt, but is typically more than I'd need.

Fishin Texas Aggie 05 said:

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There was an incident the last time we went hunting. It was also the second and last deer she is probably ever going to shoot.

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I'm not sure I get it? You knocked her up in the stand last time and still needed more room? Or is that why you need the room, she doesn't want to risk you getting to touch feely?

I made my stand 5x8. It's elevated 6' off the ground. I converted my kids playset. It's big enough for me, both my kids and my wife to sit comfortably and watch animals or hunt. Plus if you really really wanted, yoy can hunt 4 people out of the lower deck too. Not useful, just a side benefit of using a playset. Lol.

My blind is a 4x4 box with a 6in shelf running on 3 sides, not a lot of room in there and I'm not a small person.

Having 2(x) 5 year olds and me will need some room

I 2nd BrazosDog's recommendation of the kid's playhouse. If you don't won't wood, the Sam's playhouses are the next best cheap option.

Fiberglass deer stands are glorified porta potties. Imagine shooting a 7 mag while pooping.

Arnt porta potties made out of plastic? And how did you guess my caliber.

Dad and I built my 5x5 about 7 years ago. 2" tubing legs on the stand, 12' to the bottom of the box, 5'2' porch (expanded metal), box is 3/4"angle metal frame with wood walls (5/8 plywood), wood shelves all over the place, wood shutters for outside of windows, and glass windows inside on hinges (not wasp-proof, but close).

Dad and cousin built a 4x6 the next year with similar features,but had sliding interior windows. I would recommend 4x6 for 2 adults over the 5x5, but I don't like that you are limited on the open window space bc of the slides.

I have had my first problems this year because my blind was on its side for a year.. I have some rotting spots on the box that are easily fixed.

I spent $1700 on materials, but this stand and box will last forever. I will replace the wooden parts probably 10 years from now.

We have moved this blind 4 times, amongst others. It is very heavy, but we use a 10' piece of drill stem, two trucks, chains, and t posts to set up the stand. Let me know if you want details of the process, but if there's a tractor available, then use that for sure.

Pictures coming next weekend for some help seeing what I am saying.

Share your building plans.

Moy said:

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I 2nd BrazosDog's recommendation of the kid's playhouse. If you don't won't wood, the Sam's playhouses are the next best cheap option.

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It's pretty cool just because it was a free playset that I rebuilt 10 years ago and then re-purposed it again for hunting instead of trashing. The kids like it more now than they did when it was a playset. I got the RealTree Camo OSB on clearance at Lowes for like 10 bucks a sheet (OK for the price). For the playhouse, you take off the slide and the rock climbing wall, and the roof. The rest of the frame and base is complete. All I had to add was wall framing on top with 2x2 material I ripped, cut down the camo siding and put the whole thing on a skid. Kids and I shot our first pig a month ago.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fxyvtd3DTHdVcqKJ3

THATs awesome.

Should have kept the slide.

coyote68 said:

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Fiberglass deer stands are glorified porta potties. Imagine shooting a 7 mag while pooping.

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Is it awkward this sounds amazing.

I bought a new blind last year after spending the last 30 years hunting out of blinds I had built myself. Finally got tired of having to deal with the yellow jackets and wanted a blind that would last me the rest of my life and be easy to get in and out of. We decided on a 5x7 on a 15' stand from Texas Wildlife Supply. A store near us had a heck of a deal on them last year. They are one of the best on the market and the quality shows. A 5x7 is plenty big for two adults. Three adults fit in it pretty good. It stays warm due to the insulated walls and the steps on the stairs do not ice up in cold weather due to their construction. They delivered and set it up for an additional $200 which was well worth it.

I also rigged it up a heater that uses a 15 lbs propane tank which lasted all last season. I also rigged up a light system inside using red LED's and a 12 volt battery. It is nice to be able to just reach in the door and flip on the lights in the dark. We also use the 12v system to charge cell phones while we are in the blind.