Biggest ladder stand?

[03mossy]

Looking for recommendations on a ladder stand with the most room. I’ve used the traditional double stands at home in my woods and they are cramped with me and a kid to say the least. We have a new area to hunt next fall and I want to put up a nicer two man stand, but I want more room. I can’t seem to find anything that checks all the boxes. This is the front runner right now.

https://shop.hawkhunting.com/18-sasquatch-2-man-ladder-stand/

Or do I get a two-man tripod stand? I like the idea of a ladder stand cause they’re about 8 feet higher up than a tripod.

 

[Chris in TN]

I bought one on clearance after deer season at Academy a few winters ago, specifically for use with my kids here at home. It was their store brand, it was cheap, and it has held up very well and is plenty big for me and a kid.

I'm not sure about 'largest' and to be honest I think most 2-man stands are about the same size because there's such a thing as 'too big'.

The one you linked to is $679. I think you could build a very nice wooden stand for less than that. I could be wrong there though.

 

[03mossy]

On the farm I have built multiple box blinds and yes those work best for kids. But in this situation I am not even sure where the deer travel yet so I don’t want to build a box blind yet and have it stuck in the wrong spot.

 

[GAHunterr]

If you’re really looking for the most room, a box blind or some sort of elevated blind is what you’re after. They’re great for kids because you can make more noise and move more without getting busted.

2 mans ladder stand has plenty of room if you hang your backpack and other stuff on the tree or off the side of the stand. Rivers Edge makes a good comfy one, academy sports brand has a good one for the money too. I wouldn’t be too picky on a ladder stand honestly, most of them are the about the same in my experience (unless they have no seats)

 

[Rich M]

Box blind!

Ground blind!

Elevated quad pod?

 

[ShortMagFan]

If you are in the southeast look at CB’s Deer Stands - their “buddy hut” two man ladder is great. I’ve got 8-10 of them on my farm. It would be tight with my 20 year old son now, but they were perfect when he was growing up and we hunted together all the time

Some marine carpet on the bench seat and platform and some heavy duck fabric as a wrap and they are quiet and you are well hidden too

 

[ResearchinStuff]

I believe the widest is made by rivers edge. Millennium has one that's close, but a smidge narrower.

 

[03mossy]

CB’s Deer Stands

That Buddy hut is awesome! I am in MN so probably won’t work out.

 

[Jack321]

I bought one on clearance after deer season at Academy a few winters ago, specifically for use with my kids here at home. It was their store brand, it was cheap, and it has held up very well and is plenty big for me and a kid.

I'm not sure about 'largest' and to be honest I think most 2-man stands are about the same size because there's such a thing as 'too big'.

The one you linked to is $679. I think you could build a very nice wooden stand for less than that. I could be wrong there though.

Following.

Whats the aprox price of a DIY wooden platform stand?

Anyone ever built one or directions on how to build/what materials to get?

Obviously treated wood, 4x4s for the legs, 2x4s or 2x6s for cross beams. 2x4s for top platform and plywood or plastic so it doesnt warp?

Or is just buying a metal one and putting it together more sufficient?

 

[03mossy]

Depends on if you have access to any scrap lumber. This one I built I only had the cost of the windows and roof metal because everything else was leftovers from other projects. This stand is about as comfy as it gets with kids.

Built another one like it a few years later and cost me about $1,500 because I had to buy most of the lumber.

 

[Chris in TN]

Following.

Whats the aprox price of a DIY wooden platform stand?

Anyone ever built one or directions on how to build/what materials to get?

Obviously treated wood, 4x4s for the legs, 2x4s or 2x6s for cross beams. 2x4s for top platform and plywood or plastic so it doesnt warp?

Or is just buying a metal one and putting it together more sufficient?

I spent about $1000 on one last year. Hinged wood windows, black wooden fence paint. 4x7’ enclosed platform with ~6.5’ ceilings and a metal roof. I think the platform base is about 8’ high. Took a couple weeks to build it an hour or so at a time in the evenings.

 

[LongWayAround]

I spent a few hours in one of those hawk 2-person stands with the lady a couple weeks ago. It seemed huge and was very comfortable, plenty of room for both of us. The shooting bar was a little high for her at 5'4" though.

 

[Jack321]

I spent about $1000 on one last year. Hinged wood windows, black wooden fence paint. 4x7’ enclosed platform with ~6.5’ ceilings and a metal roof. I think the platform base is about 8’ high. Took a couple weeks to build it an hour or so at a time in the evenings.

Aprox what did you pay for the base & platform?

I also can't seem to locate the metal, angled feet braces for the legs. Id prefer angled braces as opposed to straight vertical for stability.

I'm not thinking of a full "house" with windows. Lol! (Though thatd be amazing.)

I dont own the land, it's a friends. So I'm thinking an elevated platform with a pop-up blind on top.

And lastly, if not on level ground, any suggestions on how to level it if one leg needs to be longer? Or again should i go with a metal elevated platform?

 

[hillbillyfab]

I didn’t read all the replies, but can tell you I prefer the 1.5 man stands versus the 2 man stands if I’m hunting alone. The 2 man stands that we have are nice for 2 people. If 2 aren’t hunting, I don’t care for them and here’s why. All our have those “millennium boat style seats”. They have a bar in the middle. It’s two single seats bolted together to make it a 2 man. I can slid over in the middle if I’m by myself and room on both sides. If you do your straddling the seat frame…no good. The 1.5 man stands have a larger, wider seat that allows for lots more room.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

I didn’t read all the replies, but can tell you I prefer the 1.5 man stands versus the 2 man stands if I’m hunting alone. The 2 man stands that we have are nice for 2 people. If 2 aren’t hunting, I don’t care for them and here’s why. All our have those “millennium boat style seats”. They have a bar in the middle. It’s two single seats bolted together to make it a 2 man. I can slid over in the middle if I’m by myself and room on both sides. If you do your straddling the seat frame…no good. The 1.5 man stands have a larger, wider seat that allows for lots more room.

You have to pay attention to seat design for sure. The new millennium 2 man is a full width bench that works great for. 1 or 2, I can't go back to a separate seat design again after using it

 

[Chris in TN]

Aprox what did you pay for the base & platform?

I also can't seem to locate the metal, angled feet braces for the legs. Id prefer angled braces as opposed to straight vertical for stability.

I'm not thinking of a full "house" with windows. Lol! (Though thatd be amazing.)

I dont own the land, it's a friends. So I'm thinking an elevated platform with a pop-up blind on top.

And lastly, if not on level ground, any suggestions on how to level it if one leg needs to be longer? Or again should i go with a metal elevated platform?

I bought a set of the corner brackets on Amazon and built it on 4x4s. Can’t find the bracket order in my history for some reason but I’ll try to grab a stand picture later today.

 

[03mossy]

I’ve used these with good luck.

Iron Forge Deer Stand Brackets,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMWBM7CG?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[03mossy]

And good points on paying attention to the seats. I’ve had 3 back operations in the past 4 years so almost any chairs give troubles.