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Tower of Power Deer Stand

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mchgnmike View Drop Down
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    Posted: July/25/2014 at 09:06

I am fortunate enough to be able to go hunting with both my daughters and family friends. Because of this we like to be together when we are hunting and sometimes there are four of us in a stand and this year my 4 year old God-daughter wants to come with. Our current 4x7' ground stand will not accommodate so a new stand was in order.

I have always wanted to build a tower stand but I knew it would have to be well built to hold all of our hunting crew. The solution I found was to build it out of something that is strong relatively cheap and easy to move. My solution was to get Pallet Racking for the frame work and then wrap it with old billboard tarps. The pallet racking is super strong, the billboard tarps are windproof and water proof and we have used them before on our ground blind so I know they work and work well. The fella I bought the racking from is south of the metroplex and he was very helpful in selling me what would work best for me. He also let me know I needed to buy some 8-10’ T-Post to anchor the racking so it will not blow over in the Texas breeze. The guy I buy the tarps from always has plenty and I buy a 14x48’ heavy gauge tarp for $60.00 which is a bargain.

I bought some well used pallet racking that has 20’ verticals with 12’ beams that are 4’ deep. So with a footprint of 4x12’ that is plenty of space for all of us to hunt comfortably. I didn’t want the space below to go wasted so we made it into a room where we could sleep, cook, and use the bathroom (funnel hose contraption that works well). The floor on the first floor is directly on the dirt with a tarp down and horse stall rubber matting on top of it. I didn’t want to have an elevated floor because I don’t want animals living under it and it will be much warmer with the floor not elevated.

The second floor is the hunting area. We have a trap door on the inside so the stand stays sealed and we eliminate any movement that the deer may see. The floor will also need carpeting or a rubber mat to reduce the noise from us moving around on the plywood floor. I am still deciding how to do the windows. The ground blind we have I used heavy clear vinyl that worked phenomenally but I may want to try something different with this. Perhaps clear plastic on sliders?

I also realized that we had plenty of space above the second floor so we will use that space as an observation deck. This will have to be the last modification because it may take some additional engineering.

I will keep you posted as we finish the project.

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Skylar McMahon View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Skylar McMahon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/25/2014 at 10:15
Deer stand apartment is what you have their pal.
 
Looks to be coming along nicely brother.
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Stephanie View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Stephanie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/25/2014 at 10:18
Haven't seen one gooder! Howdy MchgnMike ROCKS!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peddler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/25/2014 at 10:26
Can't wait to see the finished product!

Excellent Excellent Excellent

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bugsNbows Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/25/2014 at 10:48
That looks like something Skip would like... when Mrs. Peddler kicks him out for checking out all of the beautiful women pics on here! LOL. Big Grin
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/25/2014 at 11:45
VERY cool, Mike! 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/25/2014 at 17:06
Cool! Good use of available materials!

I look forward to seeing the finished product!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/27/2014 at 21:19

Now THAT'S a Texas-worthy deer stand... impressive.  I am building a stand for a friend and me to use this year, in the near future... that provides an ADMIRABLE goal.  You have set a new standard for "self built" stands.  So, being in Texas... how did you get a moniker like mchgnmike???

Good to have you aboard the OT forum.  Love to see the finished product.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote stickbow46 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/28/2014 at 03:45
Will you have to pay a tax on that property Whacko
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mchgnmike View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mchgnmike Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/28/2014 at 09:40
Kickboxer, thanks for the stand compliment. I received that name (Machinegun Mike) when I was head of security at one of the bars in Fort Worth's Stockyard area. It was a FW police officer that started calling me that and it kinda stuck.
 
I just acquired a deerborne heater (Thanks Skylar) that I will be using to heat the Tower of Power. Once this is complete my daughters and I may not want to go home.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/28/2014 at 10:57
Originally posted by mchgnmike mchgnmike wrote:

Kickboxer, thanks for the stand compliment. I received that name (Machinegun Mike) when I was head of security at one of the bars in Fort Worth's Stockyard area. It was a FW police officer that started calling me that and it kinda stuck.
 
I just acquired a deerborne heater (Thanks Skylar) that I will be using to heat the Tower of Power. Once this is complete my daughters and I may not want to go home.

Whew... I was afraid it was Michigan Mike..  MachineGun Mike is MUCH better... I've been in a few bars in the area myself...

Truly a great stand...

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Stephanie View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Stephanie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/29/2014 at 16:27
We need new pics OVER HERE!!!!!!! Big Grin
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mchgnmike Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/02/2014 at 05:57
Here are a few more photos of the tower's progress:
I have framed in the window from the floor to the ceiling then stapled the tarp to the frame. Once the tarp is secured I cut the window opening and stapled the flaps. Yes it is hot in there without windows.


Instead of regular window or clear plastic we have been using heavy vinyl. We have used this method for two years and it works very well. I make sure that if it rains the water cannot seep in. We open them either by using a draw string on both sides or by pulling the lower part inside and securing it above the window. 

And once again the kids enjoying the view from the observation deck.

I also wired the battery to the solar panel (on the right side of the observation deck) then connected the lower level LED lights. I will have better photos next time I am there. I also installed the urinal with the mini septic system. It is coming together nicely.


Edited by mchgnmike - September/02/2014 at 06:14
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Kickboxer View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/02/2014 at 06:35
Mike, that is just awesome...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/03/2014 at 18:25
Sweet!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Stephanie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/04/2014 at 09:33
bout time! Excellent
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/04/2014 at 11:21
I don't intend to disparage your handiwork, as using scaffolding as the basis of a deer blind is a great idea that will make a sound framework.

However, have you used tarps for blind covering in the past, and did you have success with it long-term?

A couple of my hunting buddies and I have tried using tarps as blind covering, and we've never been able to get them to last longer than a year or so of constant exposure to the elements. From my experience, the combination of UV rays and wind whipping the UV weakened material makes relatively short work of tarps. In addition, it seems the wind frequently decides to blow just as deer show up, causing the tarp to whip and make noise, spooking the deer.

Just something to think about. Maybe your tarp experience differs from mine.

Good luck this season!
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mchgnmike View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mchgnmike Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/04/2014 at 11:36
RifleDude,
 
  I am not using the normal Wal-Mart blue tarps. I buy the billboard tarps that I buy from a fella I met on Craigslist. They are $60.00 for a tarp that is 14x48" fiber reinforced and UV resistant. I have used them on our previous ground blind with great success and they have lasted 3 hunting seasons thus far. I have found that the key to using the tarps is to eliminate any loose fitting tarp by stapling it down. I have recently found a plumbing PVC glue that will bond the tarp to itself but I have not attached all the loose tarp pieces on the Tower of Power yet.
 
 I think the cost benefit and the fact that it is truly water and windproof makes this type of blind perfect for a deer stand. Besides you can always use the remnants of the tarp for a great Slip-and-Slide for summertime use.
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/04/2014 at 13:10
Yeah, we must've been using the cheap stuff.

I used Hardie siding for the sides and sheet metal for the roofs of the past 2 blinds I built. The Hardie can be pretty brittle when handling, but once it's attached, it lasts a long time and doesn't rot. It makes the blind really HEAVY, though.

I might have to look for some pallet rack frames. That's a good idea!

I've been making my blind towers out of Unistrut. The "u" shape makes it pretty rigid, and the slots along the full length of each piece makes bolting pieces together easy and fast.
Ted


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