This is a story about 4 retired guys that call themselves the “A-Team”. Not the kind of special forces A-Team that go around blowing up things, shooting guns and doing covert operations. Well, maybe covert operations and shooting guns would be applicable if you include building deer tree stands to be hidden from the deer as you try to pick them off in the woods with a bow, shotgun or muzzle loader! Pictured (left to right) are the “A-Team”: Wayne Racy, Jim Wagner, Darrel Lantrip and Cecil Wright.
Jim humorously refers to the guys, as the “A-Team Woodbutchers” because there is not a woodworking project they can’t attempt to build, or try to fix. They try and use wood with minimal waste by incorporating as much wood and wood scraps to be successfully useful for the end result. These guys put there heads together no matter what the project, and do a “A-Class” job everytime.
In this case, they have come up with a design to create an easy-access deer tree stand. The reason for the design is after 30 years of hunting, (and getting older), they have decided to make a deer tree stand that is safe, strong, functional, and easy to ascend or descend from. On each of their properties they have helped each other re-build, reinforce, or build new tree stands during the past couple of years. The picture left shows a new set of stairs with a support railing, built onto a 25 year old tree stand that allows a person to get up into the stand safely while carrying a bow, shotgun, and other items for the days hunting needs. The old tree stand method had the old stairs (shown in the right side of the picture) attached to only the tree and a post, making for a difficult and unbalanced vertical climb or decension while carrying gear. During the years of weathering, the nails or screws attaching the lumber to the tree would gradually pull out, causing a safety factor isssue. Many hunters have fallen from these type of mounts causing injuries and sometimes paralysis.
The building and assembly of this stand started in Jim’s son’s woodshop, called the (Jeff) Wagner Woodshop in Vincent Ohio, where Jeff is a cabinet maker and woodworker extraordinaire. More on Jeff in a later blog.
Here we find the measuring, cutting and pre-assembly of the stairs portion of the tree stand underway at the Wagner Woodshop:
With pre-assembly done, it’s time to head to the woods for reconstruction and the new supportive structure to be added. As we drive up on the tractor, we find the old stand constructed about 25 years ago. The team brings a chain saw, DeWalt cordless 14.4V and 18V drill/drivers from Woodcraft, nails,wood screws and other tools to complete the job.
The weathered damage is assessed and the fix begins. As you can see in the picture left below, the stand and tree have separated. The stand has become unstable and unsafe. The first thing to do is add some cross members and supports to restabilize the stand to the tree and ground. The pre-assembled stairs are put in place, and even Cecil’s hunting dog, Spike gets into the act!
Below, the stairs are reinforced to the ground by digging post holes and attaching the stairs side rails to the posts. What was the original tree ladder entry side to the stand is closed and a new back entry is created after removing the old wood facing. Upper railings and posts are screwed together using team work by Cecil and Darrel by combining their strengths, and middle vertical supports are attached into place by Wayne. Jim adds a corner coffee table with assistance from Wayne and Darrel.
The deer stand is stable, stronger than the previous version, and ready for safe use. The project is complete and the “A-Team” shows the strength of the unit by all; standing on it for the finished picture:
Here is a start to finish video of today’s project:
This is not the first deer stand these guys have done. The following pictures display some of the others. Note the corner coffee table in one stand. Also, another stand’s original stepboards added years ago, have been taken over by the growth of the tree as Jim points out:
The unit below is a special design, built for possible physically challenged situations or wheel chair access capability. Jim actually built this overlook station for Wayne when he had some back problems. Instead of Wayne having to climb stairs to an elevated stand, he could walk right into this unit and wait for the deer to arrive.
Special thanks to Jim, Wayne, Cecil and Darrel for spending the day with us and sharing this story.
The A-Team members are individually talented in different venues of woodworking as well. As a follow up, we will feature a blog on their specialties. Stay tuned…
Auf wiedersehen…Frank
