How to Build Wooden Stairs for a Deer Stand

Building a set of stairs is not nearly as difficult as one might imagine. Building stairs for a deer blind is even easier because you don't have to worry about codes, and they don't necessarily have to be attractive as long as they are safe and functional. You will want to use the typical stair heights to avoid trip hazards and such, but a little layout and some basic carpentry skills will get the job done well.

Use a tape measure to check the height from the ground to the deer blind. This is the rise. We'll call it 72 inches. Divide the rise by 7.25 inches (the typical riser height). You will come to 9.93 which (upon rounding) means you will need 10 risers.

Determine the run by multiplying the stair width (we will use 10 inches) by the number of stairs needed (9, one less than the amount of risers). The run will be 90 inches in this case.

Lay out the stringer (the frame on either side of the stairs) by marking a 2 x 12 piece of lumber. Line up the framing square at the edge of the board so that one leg of the square is at 10 inches (stair) and one leg is at 7.25 (riser). Trace the square with a pencil, giving yourself a "V" in the board. This is the first stair and riser. Continue down the board until all steps and risers are laid out.

Cut out the steps and risers using a circular saw. For a sharp corner, complete the cut with a handsaw. Repeat the layout and cut for the opposite stringer.

Cut two 2 x 4s equal to the width of your staircase. The width of the staircase should be whatever you are comfortable with. Use framing nails to secure a 2 x 4 at each end of the stringers (on the bottom) to stabilize them.

Attach a 2 x 12 along the top end of the stringers. Move the stair frame into place and attach it to the deer blind by nailing or screwing through the 2 x 12 you have added.

Cut the nine treads (the tops of the steps) to length. Attach the treads to the stringers with framing nails, starting at the bottom and working upwards.

Tips

For a deer blind, it is not necessary to cut and install riser plates.

A railing, for safety, can be attached to the outside of the stringers.

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Warnings

The length of the run may make the stairs more bouncy and less stable. For more stability, add additional 2 x 4 supports on the bottom of the stringers.

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