E-How has a step-by-step instruction set for how to build a tree stand. There are no pictures to go along with it, but the design sounds simple enough.

Here are the first two steps to give you an idea of how the tree stand is built.

Step 1
Find a good tree in the area in which you will be hunting. Ideally, this tree should have a Y or a fork in its trunk for the foundation of your tree stand. A fork that is 12 feet from the ground would be best, but up to 15 feet could be OK. Use your judgment about how high you are willing to climb. Factor in all the layers of clothing you will wear to keep yourself warm and how these layers will affect your range of movement.
Step 2
Visit a hardware store or building supply store and buy lengths of good, heavy-duty rope. Something nylon might work best. You could even buy rope similar to that which mountain climbers use. You are, after all, going to rely on this rope to climb up the tree to reach your stand, so you want to be able to depend upon it.

All responsibly of use of these tree stand plans and building of this stand, Remain with the person building the tree-stand. These deer stand plans are just a guide, Please use caution when building and using homemade deer stands.

The need arose for me to have multiple stands to hunt in a variety of wind directions and morning, midday, and evening deer activity areas. I have a Loggy Bayou climbing stand and a loc-on, but to buy 3 or more loc-ons was more money than I cared to invest in equipment so I decided to build my own hang on stand. There are a lot of quality stands on the market and the prices have come down but the do it yourselfer in me told me to just build it.

I checked the woodshed for possible building materials I had on hand. I found a nice piece of 2×3 oak to use for the upright to securely anchor all the components of the stand. You can’t beat solid oak for this, because it won’t split like pine tends to over time. Any good construction man knows you need a sound foundation to build from.

I pulled out some random lengths of 1×6 pressure treated boards for the floor, base and seat. Also a 2 foot piece of 2×6 pressure treated I can rip down lengthwise for the runners to fasten the floorboards and angle supports to.

After getting my can of nuts, bolts and washers, and laying out my hardware, I still needed some angle supports, preferably of metal. I looked around the yard and spotted the old jungle gym and monkey bars. Perfect! I immediately pilfered two crossbars. The kids will never miss them. They just got to reach a little farther next time. I have priorities you know.

I had lengths of swing chain that I bought @ an estate auction years ago. These would be good to wrap around the tree to hang the stand. Assembly was quite easy. All I had to buy at the hardware store was four- quarter inch by 2” lag bolts and a heavy screw-hook. I recommend a quarter inch screw-hook to be safe. Anything smaller will bend after repeated use. This is the main stress point on the stand.

After the completion of your project and hanging your stand with the chain, secure the bottom of the upright to the tree with a ratchet strap to prevent the stand from moving when getting in or out, or leaning for a difficult shot

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Before ever stepping into your stand, for as many times as you will be using it, please thoroughly check for loose nuts and bolts, bent hook, split wood, chain wear, etc. and overall soundness. Most of all always, always, always wear a chest and thigh harness while hunting from any elevated stand.