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Stand height
Question:
Hey guys, I just put my new stand 16 ft. in a perfect spot. Here’s the problem. some people told me to put the stand 20 ft. high, while some told me to put it 15 ft. high. Which is it? Should I raise mine? Next question: Since I hunt a hilly area, I was told that height didn’t matter, since if a deer was standing on a hill (my stand is at the base of these hills, where all the trails intersect), and looked across the area, I would basically be at eye level with the deer. So, does this mean that it is more important to be still/silent than it is to be high? Or is height better? Or is it a combination of 20 ft. and being still? confused? I am! Mike
Response:
>Hey guys, >I just put my new stand 16 ft. in a perfect spot. Here’s the problem. >some people told me to put the stand 20 ft. high, while some told me to >put it 15 ft. high. Which is it? Should I raise mine? >Next question: Since I hunt a hilly area, I was told that height didn’t >matter, since if a deer was standing on a hill (my stand is at the base >of these hills, where all the trails intersect), and looked across the >area, I would basically be at eye level with the deer. So, does this >mean that it is more important to be still/silent than it is to be high? > Or is height better? Or is it a combination of 20 ft. and being still? > confused? I am! >Mike
Mike, FWIW, I always try to get high enough to be about as high as surrounding tree tops. The idea being that air currents at that height will tend to keep your scent above the ground level. Although the sight element of tree stand hunting is important, I think the belief that deer will not see you high up, is grossly exaggerated. In my experience they often look up, and will look up at the least little noise. The amount of air moving near the tree tops is much greater than at ground level, this more rapidly dissipates scent, and hopefully carries it far away, before it returns to the ground. From you description of your set up, it sounds like you may not be getting any advantage from a tree stand at your present height. You may not be high enough to catch the increased air flow, and you are directly in their line of sight. I am not opposed to getting 50 feet or higher up one of out tailor made Georgia long leaf pines when circumstances call for it. But I hunt from a Warren & Sweat Cotton wood stand, bolted to disable convertibility, and set to face the tree. You would never find me that high on one of these little platforms, with no side rails, (like bowhunters often use), facing away from the tree. That’s more excitement in hunting than I care to have! You may want to check out your set up to see if there is a better tree, on some higher ground that still covers the area visually just as well. Otherwise I’d say go higher, but not if you’re concerned about the safety of your equipment. And make sure you have a safety strap on, and someone who will come look for you if you’re late getting in after the hunt. Oh yeah, don’t forget that it gets considerably cooler when you’re in the wind all day. joe
Response:
>Hey guys, >I just put my new stand 16 ft. in a perfect spot. Here’s the problem. >some people told me to put the stand 20 ft. high, while some told me to >put it 15 ft. high. Which is it? Should I raise mine? >Next question: Since I hunt a hilly area, I was told that height didn’t >matter, since if a deer was standing on a hill (my stand is at the base >of these hills, where all the trails intersect), and looked across the >area, I would basically be at eye level with the deer. So, does this >mean that it is more important to be still/silent than it is to be high? > Or is height better? Or is it a combination of 20 ft. and being still? > confused? I am!
Generally, the higher the better. Of course, you have to draw the line somewhere ( 40ft? ;) ). Hunting in hills creates problems of its own,which you already mentioned. Perhaps raising the stand the extra 5-10 feet will help avoid the eye-level syndrome. And, yes, it is a combination of height and being still. A tree stand may let you get away with more movement than if you were on the ground, but I wouldn’t bet much on it. Also, don’t put the stand in a bare tree, you’ll look like a popsicle. 8>) Mike — _ "La Longue Carabine" 42 49.07′N | "Consider your origin; you were not born 86 01.49′ W | to live like brutes, but to follow | virtue and knowledge." -Dante Aligheri
Response:
In my opinion, being still is probably more important than height of the stand. A few years ago I was sitting in a stand approximately 18 feet above the ground on a relatively flat stretch of land. A young buck walked up within 10 yards of my tree without my knowing it. It had rained the night before so the woods were quiet and I just happened to be looking the other direction (my usual luck) when I turned my head, it must have caught the movement because we were staring eye to eye (talk about shock). Anyway, the moral of the story is that deer will definately look up if something catches their eye. Joe Edington
Response:
Mike, Treestand height is relative to the distance at which you are most likely to shoot. If they are likely to get in close you may want to go higher whereas you may not need to if they will not crossing close (less than 25 yards to your stand) . Height is not always an advantage as sometimes it will carry your scent further depending on the gradient and prevailing winds. Silence, good scent masker, ie No-Odor and a well concealed stand are equally important. A very busy background is helpful in a tree with many low limbs is helpful as well. Avoid solo trees. Don’t get hung up on exact heights… I have had stands as low as 8 feet and usually never above 15. Good Luck. James Ehlers Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service LIC#2298 Underhill, VT
Response:
>Hey guys, >I just put my new stand 16 ft. in a perfect spot. Here’s the problem. >some people told me to put the stand 20 ft. high, while some told me to >put it 15 ft. high. Which is it? Should I raise mine?
IMHO, height is much less of a concern than the presence of cover, wind direction, keeping sudden movements to a minimum etc. Especially in hilly areas where no reasonable height will put you above the eyes of deer on nearby high spots. >Next question: Since I hunt a hilly area, I was told that height didn’t >matter, since if a deer was standing on a hill (my stand is at the base >of these hills, where all the trails intersect), and looked across the >area, I would basically be at eye level with the deer. So, does this >mean that it is more important to be still/silent than it is to be high?
Gotta be still in the sense that sudden movements must be limited. Slow turning of a well camouflaged head will not be noticed very readily if you’ve got your stand placed in reasonable cover (ie avoid backlighting by the setting/ rising sun). > Or is height better? Or is it a combination of 20 ft. and being still? > confused? I am!
Height can help. But it can be a psychological disadvantage too. Some are not very comfortable being way up there in a portable stand. It’s also a major pain to put enough tree steps in to get that high (if there are no natural steps available). But height is a poor substitute for understanding of wind, cover etc. I’ve shot deer from 10′-12′ stands and have spooked them from much higher ones. >Mike
Hope this helps a little. Christopher Renna