vertical distance thus bearing member 34 provides for an increased surface area to interface with the ground surface in order to lower the stress when a user is climbing sectional ladder 14 ladder 14 includes step elements 36 consecutively mounted on opposing sides of vertical bar elements 20 as is clearly seen in fig1 step elements 36 may be welded bolted or otherwise securely mounted to opposing sides of bar elements 20 although not important concept as is herein described each of step elements 36 may include a horizontal member 38 adapted to provide support for a user 39 s shoe as well as a support 40 in order to maintain the overall step element 36 in a generally horizontal position when the weight of the user is directed against surface 38 it will be understood that the important concepts of step elements 36 are to provide a platform for the user as he climbs to platform mechanism 12 after improved hunting stand 10 is in a supporting condition against a tree each of vertical bar elements 20 include mounting devices formed on opposing transverse walls to allow mounting of bar elements 20 each to the other and to platform mechanism 12 as is shown in fig2 the mounting device includes bolts 42 which are secured and extend from one of the side walls of vertical bar elements 20 bolts 42 include a head which is insertable within a corresponding key hole or other type slot 44 formed within another of bar elements 20 in this manner each of bar elements 20 may be mounted each to the other in an adjacent contiguous fashion as is clearly seen in fig2 stand securing device 16 clearly shown in fig3 and 5 is movably mounted to platform mechanism 12 including floor.