Building a Tower Hunting Blind, Part 1
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- Опубліковано 24 гру 2017
- I built an elevated shelter/hunting blind in the back of our property. Part 2 of the build is here: • Tower Hunting Blind, P... ... Plans for the blind are at metaspencer.etsy.com ... My backwoods shelter build is here: • Building a Backwoods S...
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Well done Spencer. Putting your carpenter skills to work for a fun project is time well spent. You're so blessed to live out in the country. That's how I grew up. Melissa was a big help and obviously you are still her Romeo.
Thanks buddy! Yeah it was a fun one … good times
I used this blind for deer hunting this season ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxvlQxmcZQzSQSYbJsEgAGvG2DaduKTV99 and will use it again for turkey this coming April 19'. The only common sense thing I recommend is wear all black to cover your upper body considering the inside of the blind is black and dont open unnecessary windows to silhouette yourself. Other then that, spray some water proof spray on the seams and roof. Dont forget your comfy chair, happy hunting.
Sounds good!
Just want to thank you for making this video. I followed your build step by step and just took my first buck from it. This is a great video. I appreciate you sharing your ideas like this.
Wow, that’s amazing. You’re one buck ahead of me ... well done!
That is awesome! I want to build a couple myself.
Great job. Since it is now almost exactly 2 years later to the day, I can now view Part 2. 🛠
haha ... true!
Awesome little project.
Awesome! There is NO WAY I could have built that in 8.5 minutes! Never thought I'd see someone orating Shakespeare from a hunting blind. Props to her. New country version: "Jimmy, oh, Jimmy, where the hale you at, Jimmy?"
haha ... Jimmy got muddy that day ;) thanks for checking out the build!
Well done. Its hard going doing it by yourself and building it piece by piece on the platform. Don't I know it.
Oh yeah, but rewarding
Great job on the hunting blind. I picked up a few tips on your video. Keep em coming.
Just a few days til bow season! Thanks
Yes thank you. I made this exact same tower based on this video so many thanks for the inspiration. I added one twist, 4 ten foot braces one on each long corner that go from the top of the platform (but under the tower) to the ground. The same you see on a kids swing and play set. For leverage so it doesn’t tip, instead of the wires which don’t stay taught. This is a great stand, and you were so smart to make the dimensions of the 4x8 base.
Those braces sound like a great idea, especially if you're on flat or flat-ish ground. There is a big drop off behind my blind, so the cables seem to be a good bet ... but you're right, they've needed regular tightening. Good luck this season!
@@metaspencer oh yes I see in your video. Mine is flat. Good luck this season!!
Nice build my friend love it you got a new sub thanks
Thanks man! I love your channel
I’m impressed by your tenacity. I’m also impressed by the location you chose. I’m even impressed by your thinking outside the box and using double 2x4 legs at each corner instead of 4x4’s. Placing them on flat rocks was also smart to prevent the legs from sinking. Overall, great job! I was ready to buy you a battery powered saw. I commented yesterday on someone else’s video the same comment that I’ll give you. Your windows are too big! It took me several hunting seasons in my elevated blind to realize that. I had to understand that I no longer use a vertical compound bow so I remodeled and now my windows are only 8 inches tall and about 40 inches wide. I use a crossbow and a gun only now. The deer will learn to look up to your blind and you will be silhouetted. I also have “curtains” made out of old hunting clothes to cover any area that I can. It helps a lot. I also put in a carpet pad to deaden sound on the floor from foot scuffling and movement because without the pad, the floor is just a big drum! Happy hunting
thanks for checking out the build and I appreciate the comment/idea about the windows. I made them big thinking I'd need the range for the compound bow, which is still my favorite way to hunt, but the big windows definitely make me more visible. I'm gonna have to try your curtain/blinds idea! Thanks for that
Put in a 1/4” steel rod or I guess you could use rebar with about an inch of space to the wall so you can reposition the curtains. Since you don’t have actual windows, the wind will blow through so you will have to prevent the curtains from moving in the wind. I use anything small and heavy at the bottom such as fishing weights or stop by the tire shop and ask for old tire weights. They have a clip that might help attach them. Just think outside the box to stop the curtains from blowing in the wind. Good luck hunting
@@grdelawter4266 Cool ideas. I'm also thinking of painting the back wall dark green just to keep down visibility. Thanks man ... bow season cranks up here in a few weeks
Painting the inside a dark color is a great idea too.
Back to the curtain weights, I actually sewed my “curtains” together at the bottom and up each side a few inches to create pockets. Then it’s easy to put in weights. Not too much or they will pull down the rods. You could use some old socks and fill with dirt, then tie shut and put into the pocket. Quiet and free. In one of my blinds, I took my office stapler out to the blind, put the curtains over the rods that was already attached and just stapled the bottoms together to create the pocket. It’s still holding, that was 3 years ago! I’ve been hunting a long time and tried almost everything! I have lots of great ideas and some good ideas. Happy hunting!
Ultimate DIY Deer Stand By Luke king shows an elevated deer stand similar to mine. Mine is also a pentagon with each wall section being 4 foot wide, making the inside 5 foot. I anchored mine from a tree with one point towards the tree to two other trees using treehouse masters anchor system. Mine has a metal roof and I used very old barn siding that is so worn that looks almost sandblasted. It has such rich patina that it blends in well in the woods and has developed some moss. For the ladder, I chainsawed a cedar tree into two halves and screwed an old ladder stand in between making it disappear. I also put carpet pad on the floor to deaden sound or it’s loud like a drum. My blind is the perfect size to have one rocking swivel chair in the center that will pivot to use any window at the perfect height and distance from my seated position.
I’m telling you this for two reasons, one is that you might find some of this helpful for you and the second reason is so others that read it might also find ideas helpful too! I’ve been hunting for over 50 years, so I need to pass on what I’ve learned. Happy hunting
cool . lot of work , me and my stepfather just built a 6' x 6' and 6' tall 8' high metal stand under it . going to stand the metal frame then set the box stand on top with his backhoe and anchor it down with cable and trailer house tie downs but anyway we prefabbed the frame and box stand in the shop . i made it big enough for me and my daughter . p s metal roofing on it too . all we had to buy is the plywood sheeting and hinges for door and windows all about $300 paint included
Sounds like a great way to do it ... that backhoe is a machine I’d love to have!
Yay Melissa!! Nice blind.
Thanks!
Thank you thank you thank you for not yapping with commentary throughout the video. Good job, very informative.
haha, thanks for noticing! yeah, I tend to think that a well filmed build is self explanatory :)
I've done some one man builds of shooting stands out on my land using nothing but hand or battery powered tools and working alone. You have a good design and good construction skills. However I found it much easier to layout, cut, and dry fit a lot of the components on flat ground rather than hauling up uncut heavy materials and trying to do all the cutting and fitting up on the platform. I also use a couple of pulleys and some paracord to hoist up the leg assemblies or wall assemblies. But then again, I am 65 years old with CHF and can't ape across the platform bars like you did! LOL.
If I had it to do over again I’d build components off site or even the whole thing. It was wobbly up there!
Good Job I really liked this video
Wow, great stand. Sure beats shivering out in the cold sleet, looks like a great spot too.
Yeah, this time of year it can be a reminder that hunting is darned cold and wet. With that said, a blind kind of locks you into a single location, so that better be a nice confluence of game trails. Thanks for checking it out!
Awesome build, I am building one right now, Great job!!!!
Good luck with it! It’s gonna be great
Damn good skills
Great job man
Thanks! It's been great out there this season ... still have to finish it and get it all trimmed out
Very smart way to cable a deer stand to the ground. Dad did his like you do yours and it's the only one still standing after Hurricane Ida 2021 on our hunting property stood up to150 miles an hour winds. You two are smart guys!
Wow, it survived a hurricane! That's awesome. Good to hear!
Great video! The property owner and I plan to build a couple of these in the spring. Although watching your elbow get a workout, were definitely taking generator/compressor & nail guns with us. LoL
Thanks for posting. 👍👍👍
Oh yeah, no sin in power tools! Good luck with the projects
Impressive build. Looks like a great spot. Good luck this year!
Thanks! Not long to wait now
nice job! your real deal!
Thanks man!
Nice job! It looks like you've got a primo piece of land there for deer hunting.
Thanks! Yeah, it’s pretty awesome out there ... now if the deer will just stop paying such close attention to me 😀
metaspencer - I'm located in South Texas near Canyon Lake. We're overrun with whitetail and a few Axis deer mixed in. Our gun season just opened on Nov. 3rd, but will last until January 20th. We are allowed 5 deer (up to 3 bucks in those 5). Hope you get your limit out of your new stand.
Wow, those are some high limits on the numbers you can take! I guess with high populations, that makes sense. Good luck out there!
Great job!
Why thank ya!
Fun watch. Nicely done.
Thanks! It's been real nice out there this fall
Nice work! The trap door is handy and beats having a large stairway, platform and door on the side.
Yeah I like it a lot ... plus when it's closed things are real quiet
Looks like a nice stand, I built one similar this last fall. However, I pre-built all the walls and nailed on the plywood in my garage, then simply hauled them out to my spot, lifted them in place. Pretty quick and easy.
How’d you lift it? I think that would be sweet
@@metaspencer honestly, I just tied a rope onto each wall section and my son and I lifted them up into place. The base of my stand is about 10ft off the ground. My stand is 6ft by 4ft. Looks like yours is about similar in size?
Awesome! Yeah, mine is 4’x8’ ... well done!
Now all you need is some heat, a barcalounger, a cooler, and something to shoot at. Nice job. Happy New Year. (I have one going up later tonight) Glenn Lever
You said it! Happy New Year man!
and a cordless circular saw
Finally got one after this build. Makes all the difference!
Great job 👍
Thanks!
I enjoy watching do it your self build videos seeing how different people's building styles and ideas vary. Well done! I almost bought you a battery powered saw lol
Haha ... that saw has been a real game changer! Take care
Pretty slick! Looks good
thanks!
I was scrolling through and u pop up building a blind, and I said that bugger is doing everything, if u would have had the Milwaukee battery nailer it probably would have took u half the time, but this was before they had it, great idea for the leg post's.
Oh yeah that nailer would have saved some time, but got it done anyway. Thanks for checking it out!
Amazing job I know its hard to work alone I'm still working on my box!
You’ll get it done. Thanks man
7:06... Melissa rocks!!
Oh yeah! She's saved my butt on many projects :)
ty
This is amazing
Thanks! We sure do enjoy it
Great job, i was just about to start a Go fund me for you to get an cordless sawzall...lol
Haha ... old habits die hard! Thanks for checking it out
Very nice job!
It's been nice out there this fall and winter
Awesome video
Thanks man!
Excellent as I am getting ready to set up home on 17 acres need a good tree stand, thank you
Oh that 17 acres is going to be grand! Good luck out there!
@@metaspencer Yep it should be grand most is woods minus the 2 acres for the house. I have access to the remaining 38 YEAH
Great video
Thanks for checking it out!
An impact driver works wonders on them bigger screw.
Safe hunting.
yep, love that tool! thanks for checking out the build
Great video thanks.
Good luck out there!
It came out perfect! I want one in a couple different locations. Maybe I'll get ambitious enough to build them. Maybe my friend Dan will help.
Dan's the man!
I’d love to get the plans from you for this build
I’ve gotta finish them! Taking forever
Most excellent
Thanks!
Great Job 👍🦌
Thanks
You sir, are a beast
Big thanks!!!
DAMN !!!!! You must have found that hammer, nails and hand saw at some antique shop somewhere... surely they don't still make those do they ? ? ?
Keeping it old school!
God bless Melissa! Cordless power tools are a woman's best gift to a man next to firearms... Hint hint!
Oh yeah! I'm now a full-on convert to the battery tools ... so great
Curious why you hinged the shutters at the bottom. Looks great though. I may steal a couple of your techniques!
It was a quick fix ... if you watch part 2 of the video you'll see that I made them fully removable so they're not making noise or in the way
Add hinges to the trap door makes it's a lot safer.
Yeah, I'm in agreement ... just this season it's been hard to remember which way to put it in place. thanks!
Great job. Quality work. Have to admit though when I saw you pull out that old hand saw I was like, "whaaat, generator dude, generator." Bit of an overkill on the windows but hey it's your hunting blind, right? lol. Thanks for sharing. Gives me lots of ideas.
Old hand tools are sometimes just too satisfying
GREAT JOB, sir!! I really like YOUR armstrong hammer! sounds funky! lotsa luck hunting. hope you get a whole bunch!
Thanks! The blind has been great this past week ... bow season just started up
Nice job, funny lady. she's doing Shakespeare and he's like "Hey! grab the plywood!"
Haha ... thanks for checking it out!
You can buy 10 sheets of 4x8x1.5” Thermax insulation, insulate the roof, walls and the floor, put poxi glass on windows, small propane heater that doesn’t produce CO and stay there all winter.
Sounds peaceful
Anyway you could help a first time blind builder out love your design would you happen to have plans I’m trying to build one just like this for this season any info on material used and cost of it all ?
I’m working on plans - sorry, but not done yet. Materials were about $300
The second video in this blind build is here: ua-cam.com/video/-IJ5DKoaSbM/v-deo.html ... Plans for the blind are at metaspencer.etsy.com
im thinking of building this for my wife in the backyard
She’s going to love it!
The best hunting tower for me is an old four-door sedan over a pole. Good and cheap. Preferably a GM.
Sounds like fun but hard to pull back a bow in that position. I like your style! :)
I use a crossbow!
Great build. I like that you braced it for wind, though I think some $ would have been saved by using long 2 x 4s instead of the cable.
Did you use any pressure treated lumber? How long did it take to build? I'd be adding shelves and have a Sterno stove to make coffee, etc. Maybe a cat heater too. I don't know what climate you're in. One must be comfortable after all.
Best wishes on hunting success too!
Thanks for checking out the build, man! Yeah, all of the lower members are pressure treated, even though I keep them largely off the wet ground with stones. That cable did cost a bit, but I like how it can be tightened up over time. As for the build I spent about a week on it, though not working full days ... and then my follow-up video shows a few more days of finish work. Shelves are going in now for this coming season, and hooks!
I did see the rocks. Good idea as long as the posts can be kept reasonably well centered on them. Cross piece positioners on each post bottom could help ensure that if they were ever seen to be needed. They could be added anytime in that case.
I've never hunted from a blind. It seems quite civilized actually, along with the several other advantages. What part of the country are you in? Are there other species to hunt along with deer?
@@joewoodchuck3824 I have mixed feelings about hunting from a blind: you do have an advantage over game on the ground, but you're really stuck in one place and isolated. From my perspective, nothing can beat hunting with a bow on the ground, stalking and moving. It's hard, but makes me feel more alive. This is up in NY State where, yes, there are some other game (not just deer): turkey, bear, etc ... but I only go for deer
@@metaspencer I'm familiar with Old Forge, Booneville, etc. My parents lived in Booneville and I have many pleasant memories of the area and the period. Never did get a deer, but a few woodchucks could have had better days.
metaspencer thumbs up to what you just said. To each his own but it is hard for me to apply the verb “hunting” to sitting in a lookout tower. Tracking, stalking with a bow... that’s hunting. Even using a rifle gives me pause unless the hunter actually needs the meat to survive. Otherwise, for sport, a firearm is so unfair.
Okay! Off the soapbox. Excellent video!!! I’m going to check out #2 and your backwoods shelter video among others. Great job!!
Nice work, I like it and plan to build one. What was the total cost of supplies?
Great! I spent about $300 as I recall
Nice work. Just curious as to overall cost?
$300 or so thus far ... probably $200 more to really finish out
how much money did you spend on the blind to build it ? thanks nice video hope u get a shot out of it.
If memory serves I think it was about $200-$300 ... I was able to reuse some materials I had around the farm
Have you made the second part of this video?
It’s still in the works... I’ve been using it as is and it works, but I’ve gotta trim it out
This gives me an idea. you got black bears there? I wonder if with just the deck, bracing and tie downs if an adult black bear could climb that @3:00. In my case, I think if four corners were 4x4 steel w no bracing a bear would not be able to climb. Then I maybe add a drop down ladder with 4 really wide steps. bears can't jump and have short legs and a short vertical reach. I hate ladders and heights as well.. but not as much as fear hungry bears.
We don't have many bears, sadly. But you're right to think about building differently for bear country!
Nice
Thanks!
"Romeo romeo where arth thou romeo?"
"PLYWOOD!! grab the other end" 😂
Love the videos man you make cool stuff
haha ... thanks for checking out the project! it's always nice to have a little help out there from Melissa
I am surprised too see this guy using a handsaw instead of a power ripsaw and as he different new what he was doing he should of made it less noisier get out the creeking less noisier great Job👍
Some times it’s nice to build old school
I wished I had the money too but my own property so I could build me a Nice blind kbowing I finally did something I always need to do
@@sarb6p55 Yeah, having land is a wonderful thing ...
Did you ever finish it? Nice job
I've been using it this season just as you see it at the end of the video -- so it works as is, but certainly needs to be trimmed out and completed. I'm hoping this spring will be a good time! Thanks for checking it out
Love the video
Thanks!
2x4 corner post? Were they out of 4x4?
multiple 2x4s laminated for the posts creating slots for the 2x6 framing on the base
hmm 4 6x6 posts would have saved you some major time. dig 4 holes set posts. Square up top with 2x6's at desired height. Chainsaw off unwanted 6x6 tops. Build box. Next buy battery saw with money saved to build framing.
I completely see your point! I like the stability of sinking posts but had in the back of my mind that I might want to **move** this blind some day. So far it's stayed put but is still an option. battery saws are great: I'm a convert.
Cordless drill//Cordless saw//
No doubt
I have questions. Why didn't you put hinges on the trap door? Why did you have the window covers drop down rather than raise up, which would provide more protection from rain/snow? And why not dig post holes rather than set the tower on rocks?
You’re right about hinges on the trap door: I need to do that! Window covers go down to avoid a system for holding them up, but I may convert to shutters. And as for digging the ground was frozen at that time and it’s a super rocky spot, but that would be ideal. Sinking posts makes for a solid foundation
Nice...where are you located. I need you to come to Georgia to build mine.
I’m up North, but that sounds fun!
@@metaspencer Ok, that's by far the nicest build I've seen, I'm going to have to copy that.
Do it up! It’s been great
@@metaspencer Did you just freestyle that or did you have a plan to follow. From the video it looks pretty easy to follow.
Freestyle, but I’m hoping to post my own plan in a few months
What all materials did you use and how much
$300 in all for 2x4s, sheathing, roof metal, cables, etc
How many days did you work on this to get it to this point?
It was about four days ... but not full work days. My second video shows finishing it in three more half days
Is there a reason for large window opening?
It offers more room when bow hunting and the chance to make any shot.
@@metaspencer gotcha. Thanks.
How many 2x4s were needed?
I didn’t keep a detailed list ... sorry! I think I had 15 pressure treated and 20 regular to start
so what were the dimensions? roughly if you can?
oh, the 'shed' part...………………….
Sized for a single sheet of plywood so 8x4 and 6’5” ceiling
I like the trap door lid and hinged shutters on your blind. Thanks. I've been working on a 10' X 10' design made out of RR ties for corner posts secured to my wood shed on one side. I've seen blinds where they use Plexiglas, hinged on the bottom, with a string and pulleys on the ceiling to run the string to a cleat behind the seat. All I need is a small metal wood stove and my old mechanical recliner chair then I can escape during deer season.
Your setup sounds pretty good! I went with 4'x8' just because that's the size of a sheet of plywood. 10x10 will be great!
How did you make your mini trusses
I had some good footage of that, but it got lost: the trusses are just 2x4s angled to match up at the peak and then with birds' mouths to fit onto the top of the walls. At the apex of the trusses, I screwed on some plywood for stability.
Hard work cutting all by hand
Yeah, but fun!
One more set of hinges for your door gun heater lawn chair or air mattress LOL
It's all about those little touches :)
Awesome!
How much did you spend on it?
Anchors and cables where excellent idea!
Thanks. Yeah, I didn't want the wind to get ahold of it. If memory serves I think it was about $200-$300 ... I was able to reuse some materials I had around the farm
Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.
Wow that build is awesome but some bratty people might destroy it ☹️
Nah, on our large posted property .... and well protected
Thanks for replying. I love your bus remodel videos do you know when the next is coming out
Thanks! I’m off the bus for a few weeks - sorry man!
Wow, you got skills. I'd be embarrassed to show mine.
Thanks! Nice of you to check it out
Any luck hunting? any pics?
It’s been a good season ... no pics yet ... still have to finish out the blind
How much $ did all material run you?
I didn't keep very good track, but if memory serves I think it was about $200-$300 ... I was able to reuse some materials I had around the farm
metaspencer ok , thanks for fast response and great video!
Dudes gonna freeze his A$$ off with those giant windows open in the winter !
Yeah it can be cold but the big windows give room to move the bow around
You really busted @$$ on that thing and it shows. Hope you enjoy it.
Thanks! Yes, it’s been great
Where is the Chevy?
Haha! This is my farm truck ... Chevy is jealous
I have noticed that use the hand saw and a drill to run screws I have a riding lawn Moore took the mower deck off I have a plow blade on the front I have 3 deep cycle battery are on the back for weight and traction I have them on the electrical system for The alternator of the engine and I have a set of Harbor freight correction China junk 14 V power tools I have them hooked to a 25' drop cord powered off of the 3 deep cycle battery 12 V power running 14 V system does a fine job I also run my saws all with a demolition blade And I can use that to process firewood if need be I can hook all the batteries together positive to negative and so on to make a 36 V DC arc welder I have welded many a driveshaft in tyrods The problem with Harbor freight power tools is the batteries die way too soon I cannot before the DE Walt power tools so I make do with what I can the beauty of this is I'm charging all 4 batteries as the engine is running I flip the battery disconnect switch the 3 deep cycles are separated from the tractor and now I have 3000 Apps to run my power inverter for the frigerator freezer at the cabin or at home if need be If I leave the engine running I can run my 7000 W power inverter I've Obviously not at full power Great channel brother thank you for your Knowledge and expertise
Hey man, great to hear from you and to get a sense of your setup. Sounds like you're getting things done! Take care man
How much did this cost to build?
About $250 or $300 ... still needs another $200 or so
How much time and money did you have in it?
I’m under $500 at this point ... when done it’ll likely be $500
@@metaspencer Oh and bye the way well done in case I forgot to tell you
Thanks! It’s been great out there this season
not sure I like the idea if a hole in the floor! I think I would have put it out the back side of that thing. keeps you from turning around and falling down... just my dumb opinion.
Yeah, I can see your point. Once the trap door is in place it’s better