Tree Stand Heights

whats yalls preferred tree stand height? i feel like i got caught too many times last year

It depends on the cover around me. In Missouri on the climber I like to be at least 20'. But those big trees don't have lower cover so you have to count on height to take you out of peripheral vision. Here I try to get just high enough to use available cover. Usually no more than 12 to 15 feet. Sometimes less.

I like to be as high as possible in cover but still be able to see the whole area I am in. So that all depends on the area you are hunting, preferable I like to be at least 20 feet up, but some of mine have been closer to 12-15 feet.

Walter

Some of the places I hunt 20 feet puts you above the cover and skylined, while others 30 feed gets you to the first limb on the tree. I like top have a good backdrop of cover not necessarly cover infront where it gets in the way. Very seldom do I get busted if there is a good backdrop of cover whether I have to be 8 feet or 30 feet off the ground.

I do not buy into deer do not look up, have seen many of them do it, and a deer at 40 yards does not have to look up to pick you out especially bad timed movement even if you are 30 feet up a tree, you are still in its line of vision.

Like everyone said it depends your the surroundings, it's best to be just above where the limbs start. I quit climbing trees years ago and prefer a 15 - 18 foot ladder with a background of some kind.

i had the same problem last year, i was about 18-20ft but that was as high as i could get, due to the trees, and it wasnt high enough.

i will be in pop ups this year.

I hunted 2 ranches in South Texas that only had a handful of trees tall enough to put a stand in, those trees weren't straight enough to even try or they were not even close to where you wanted to hunt. So we hunted out of ground/brush blinds or 6'-12' tripods set in the middle or behind brush/mesquites. Sitting in a 6' tripod in the middle of a clump of brush teaches you about still you think you are. Did not have any ladder stands but there were a few places they would have worked. For that ranch back drop was more critical than height.

As high as you can get and feel safe and comfortable. Started at 12 cause I'm scared of heights but now sit at 20 plus and do fine as long as I have my safety harness.

Were ever you put it make sure you have enough cover behind you

I agree but anticipate what is going to drop off the tree in fall. I've seen some killer stands in October only to be almost in the open come December.

I strongly prefer to hunt a 12' tripod that's tucked into or behind a tree. You have to watch your motion, but that's all part of it.

Pop-ups are very effective as well, but those things can be little ovens, especially in bow season. Brush blinds can work, but you have to have the wind just right. Much higher bust rate from the ground.

I think what you have behind you so that you do not skylight is probably more critical than the height.

Most of my set-ups are 18 feet to the bottom of my platform (I use climbing sticks and chain on stands). I know some folks like really high stands (well over 25 ft) but that gives a pretty extreme shot angle.

Everyone has pretty much hit the nail head in that it's your immediate back drop. I don't do tree stands any longer either and all my set ups are 10-16' tripods tucked back into trees that I trim out just enough to get the platform back into the foliage and as close to the main trunk of the tree as possible. My favorites are tucked into live oak thickets.

Being still and deliberate with your movement is key. You will be sitting there and suddenly a deer is right underneath you. Be patient and pick your time to get your bow off the hanger and onto your knee. Be patient and pick the right time to draw also. At that low of height any deer you don't see that is behind you or out of your peripheral vision is going to bust your movement. It will happen but 90% of the time they will come back because they don't really know what they saw. Just stay still and don't do the "Oh chit I just busted all the deer outta here" tree dance. Of course a lot of the times they come back they work back down wind of you and then you are really screwed.

BTW, I wear scent-loc leafy wear pants (don't like the top) and it seems to help further break your outline. I don't get busted very often.

Awesome thanks guys. I put up a tripod in some thick thick cover to see how this will work out this year. Hope everyone has a good year. Good luck

Very good point!! I try to find cedar or live oak or even vines and yoopon

Also were will the sun be while your hunting is a big deal and plan for north winds more than any

Live Oak and cedar are your friends. I have both on the new lease. I have stands set up for both north and south winds. Ladders and tripods.

As high as possible. I use 21' ladders.

I don't have real tall trees so I use 16' tripods pushed back into them. The back drop comments are spot on. I have gone in and stapled camo netting in the tree behind me so that when the leaves drop I still have a back drop but it tears up pretty quickly when the wind picks up. I recently bought some green Xmas garland that is woven into wire so I can wrap it around limbs etc. It gives me a "live oak" look all season long and since it is wire and plastic leaves it should last...I hope.