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Tower stand platform
Illustration by Ryan Kirby

An elevated stand provides an excellent vantage point for hunters and wildlife watchers. It's roomy, comfortable and a great place to introduce new hunters to the pursuit. A tower stand protects hunters from the elements, reduces the amount of human scent near the ground and covers up any movement.

Safety is the most important component in building an elevated stand. It must be solidly built and anchored.

Many manufacturers offer kits that take the guesswork out of building an elevated platform. Southern Outdoor Technologies has the Sportsman's EZ-Bracket platform kit, a system of four welded-steel brackets that accommodate treated 4"x4" posts and treated 2"x6" lumber. Each bracket has pre-measured angles for optimum stability and safety.

Once the platform is built, mount a prefabricated blind or build a box blind on the deck.

Here's how to make a safe 4'x6' ladder platform using the Sportsman's EZ Bracket system.

Materials

Build a Platform

  1. Cut 2" x 6" x 8' board into two 42½-inch-long pieces.
  2. Cut remaining two 2" x 6" x 8' boards to 66½-inches.
  3. Use the remaining 2" x 6" x 8' lumber to create a center joist to support the floor.
  4. Align cut 2" x 6" lumber with EZ-Brackets using guide pockets to create a 4' x 6' frame.
  5. Mark bracket holes with a pencil and pre-drill bolt holes.
  6. Secure boards to EZ-Bracket using 5⁄16-inch bolts, washers and lock nuts.
  7. Install flooring joist(s) inside the frame to support the floor using 2" x 6" scraps using deck screws or nails.
  8. Cut 4' x 8' plywood to 4' x 6' to create flooring.
  9. Install flooring to frame using deck screws or nails.
  10. Attach L-shaped brackets included in the kit to the platform where you wish to install the ladder.
  11. Turn frame over with floor facing the ground.
  12. Insert 4' x 4' posts into bracket sleeves, secure with 20d nails hammered halfway into the post, so that the legs do not fall out.
  13. Stand platform up using a rolling motion, square legs up and level platform.
  14. Install cross braces between legs using 2" x 4" x 8' treated lumber and 20d nails.
  15. Use an X pattern to brace legs and nail braces together at intersections to increase stability.
  16. Pre-drill holes and secure platform legs to EZ-Bracket using lag bolts and washers.
  17. Build ladder using remaining 2" x 4" x 8' treated lumber. Space steps about 19-inches apart.
  18. Transport platform to hunting area and secure to ground with rebar, concrete, earth anchor or buried ground stakes.
  19. Install the ladder and secure with bolts, washers and lock nuts.
  20. Install prefabricated blind such as the Sportsman's Condo (www.sportsmanscondo.com) or build a 4' x 6' box blind on the platform using the 2" x 6" slots built into the EZ-Bracket.

View from the top

Elevated platforms are easy to build thanks to kits like the EZ-Bracket. With proper ventilation, hunters can heat the blind during winter hunts using a small Coleman catalytic heater. Remember, a comfortable and safe hunt is key to introducing young or new hunters to the outdoors. — P.J. Perea



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