How high?
#1
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Buffalo Grove, IL/Bristol, WI
Posts: 1,460
How high?
Whan using a tree stand how high should you be? I am hunting right now for the first time ever in a tree stand. I am about 15 feet up and a bit nervous to go any higher. I am not the biggest fan of heights so am I just wasting my time now?
Thanks
Thanks
#2
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Northeast Tennessee
Posts: 5,673
RE: How high?
it really depends on the terrain and amount of cover, if you could itd be best to get as high as possible , optimum would be around 20-25 feet. But as i said it depends on the kind of terrain and im by no means saying 15 feet is ineffective because plenty of deer have been taken out of 15ft ladder stands.I would just try to get a little higher if possible
#3
RE: How high?
No, i dont think your wasting your time at all. That is pleanty high to get you off the ground so you can see better and may help with your scent too. Personally, i like to get a little higher then 20, but 15 feet is definately high enough
#5
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Buffalo Grove, IL/Bristol, WI
Posts: 1,460
RE: How high?
Thanks for the reply's. I am going to see how my nerves do and might try to go a bit higher. And isnt technology great when you can sit in a treestand and be surfing huntingnet forums!
#6
RE: How high?
Just get high enough to get good cover and try to get as clean as you can (i.e. scent-free as possible). If that's 12-15 feet....go for it. Anything else is bragging. If I can get better cover at 12' than I can at 25'.....I'm staying at 12'.
Jeff
Jeff
#7
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Blossvale, New York
Posts: 21,199
RE: How high?
The BEST height varies with stands, terrain and time of year. That said, if you're not comfortable you don't belong higher. 15 feet is fine to begin with. I've been climbing trees for 35 years. I'm not a fan of heights either. I find that early in the year I tend to stop at 15-18. After a few hunts I get to feeling better about it all and soon find myself not stopping much before 20, but I still rarely go over 22 or 23. Play the wind and get some cover is more important than trying to prove you're a 30 foot up hunter. Strap in at all times. I'm usually in a climber and my HSS fall restraint is hooked up from the minute I leave the ground.
#8
RE: How high?
You can kill deer at 15 feet for sure. I kill them off the ground. I use a safety harness with my climber so I go to close to 30 feet at head level. The extra height really can make a difference. If you don't wear a harness than don't climb. If you fall from 15 or 20 feet bones are going to break. Be safe.
#9
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location:
Posts: 11,472
RE: How high?
You're not wasting your time. I've killed several deer from zero feet. I don't go much higher than 20 feet. Most of the time it's more around 15 feet. Good scent control, good cover, and limit your movement you should be fine.