When it isn't portable? When it has a roof? When it's fully enclosed? When it's fully enclosed and heated? When it's bigger than your house? Etc.
When?
Ice fishing and deer hunting at the same time? Good idea!
I'm wondering where everyone draws their line at what they feel is too much...creature comfort. Or just too much bother to build or erect. Or maybe the more luxury the better? Does too much ruin the spirit of the hunt?
august
Favorite Answer
I think that depends a little on how you hunt.
I've seen fixed box stands that were built 10-15 feet in the air that could hold several people. They're almost treehouses. If you're hunting with, say, two of your children, that wouldn't really be excessive. On the other hand, if you just want to sit in the lap of relative luxury, that's a bit much.
I'm looking at building a small platform that will raise me up about 6 or 8 feet. I have some leftover lumber that was given to me, and I'm going to use some of it to build a small 4' square stand that can be disassembled so that I can put the stand different places without too much effort. I know 8 feet is a little low for a deer stand, but I'm mostly going to use it for coyote, and I have some camo netting to put over it. Really, I'm just looking for a raised platform so I can get a better view.
In the past, I've hunted off a very simple ladder stand. That was a bit awkward, and definitely uncomfortable. I would do it again, if necessary, but I'd rather have a little room to stretch if needed. I've also hunted in a box stand with a plastic chair in it, and that was actually rather nice.
Then again, if I could afford to build a large stand and could put a small propane heater in it, I'd probably do it.
smokehillfarm
There is no such thing.
A friend of mine bought a truck from the airlines -- one of those that used to deliver food to the planes -- whose box rose about 30 feet in the air on scissor hydraulics, operated either from the box or below.
The whole thing is now camouflaged, and when it's parked he throws camo tarps over everything at ground leve.
We drive it into a tree line on his farm a month or so before deer season, so they get used to it, and when the season starts we load the box up with a propane heater, refrigerator, snacks and coffee, and wait for the deer.
Sportsmanlike? Probably not. But we're feeding our families, not hunting "for sport."
Lime Green Medic
This almost reads like a joke.
"You know your deer stand is too upscale when..."
...you have more than one bartender at the wet bar.
...when you upgrade to a concert grand piano.
...when you replace the regular tub in the bathroom with a jacuzzi tub.
...when the bathroom includes a bidet.
...when you upgrade the vending machines to accept credit cards.
...when you take out the pay phone and put in free wi-fi.
...when the butcher shop in the back expands to include a deli counter.
...when you take out the slot machines and put in a roulette table.
And finally...
"You know your deer stand is too upscale when..."
You connect your rifle to a servo and camera and hook it up to your XBox 360 and watch it frame-in-frame inside the 1080p plasma TV just to make sure you don't miss the perfect shot while watching the football game.
Anonymous
when it's like my buddies and it is fully enclosed with 2 beds and a makeshift toliet. not to mention power for the tv and mini fridge......... its a tree house..... and yes its heated.... he sleeps in it during deer season.... he also has a place where he parks his truck underground about a half mile away.... and has a tunnel that goes to the stand!!!!
TDM
I don't use a tree stand. I prefer to walk around, glassing and stalking.
Maybe I'll consider one when I'm too old to walk. At that time, it will have a roof, heater, coffee maker, and satellite TV.