Shooting out of a tree stand

Islander1989

I finally got my tree stand up this year, and it is ~20' high. About twice of what I have previously hunted because I couldn't find a taller tree. I know that people tend to shoot high when shooting from an elevated position, but how much do you actually see? I'm headed back to my stand this weekend and will do some shooting to see for myself, but was wondering what to expect.

Thanks

fishermanben

People do tend to shoot high, but it has nothing to do with the change in distance by going that high, which will be less than one yard. The big problem is dropping your bow arm to shoot at close deer. Practice should include shooting at a target at ranges of 5 yards or less. Be sure to bend at the waist as opposed to dropping your arm.

Ben

headzilla97

I did just that last year when hunting I had a 8 yard shot and dint bend at the waist and shot just a little high and back but i did end up collecting the der

My old man's backhand used to land,
Hard on the side of my head.
I just learned to stay out of his way.
There's been streetfights, blue lights,
Long nights with the world sittin' on my chest:
It just showed me how much I could take.
Hard times, bad luck.
Sometimes, life sucks.
That's all right, I'm ok.
It ain't nothin' but another day.

taco413

I shot 1 two years ago right under me and aimed at the middle of his head. Ended up hittin a little farther up but he still dropped in his tracks[:D]

Only The Strong Survive!!!!!

buckeyboy

Unless there is very little cover and wind is a problem I find it is not necessary to more thn 15 to twenty feet. these hights under most circumstances should be sufficent. Going any higher in my opinion only makes for more difficult shots. Plus the risk factor if somthing were to happen. Consider ground blinds there is no reason you can't kill them on the ground, I have found this even more exciting than treestand hunting.[;)][;)]Good luck.

hornet

Buckyboy, you need to make a trip to Mississippi to hunt white tail deer. The deer down here are tree wise, as we say. If they hear a noise not only do they look around but they look up in the trees. If you hut on the edge of a field the first thing a deer will do is look up in the trees before it comes out into a field, yo are busted, and off the deer runs. A tree stand is standard equipment down here, just like a bow or firearm. We have to get as high as we can and strap in! Sometimes I have thought I would get a nose bleed I was up so high.
In my experance I have noticed 2 things about deer when you shoot at one from a tree stand, the archer tends to hit high and a deer will squat before it runs. Some people call this jumping the string but I think it is a natural reaction before the deer runs. For these two reasons I aim lower on a deer and it has not failed me yet. It took several missed shots before I figured out what was going on.

Hornet

buckeyboy

Ahhha my friend thats because your fellow hunters have educated the deer in the area, by not playing the wind and hunting them on feilds insted of transision zone between feeding and bedding. I was told this by more than one professional guide.[:0] deer are taught to look up it is not a natural instinct. hope I don't sound like I am tring to be an authority just using what I have learned over the years[;)][;)]

hornet

I do agree that the deer have been educated by some not so good huntes that just head to the woods and plop down or jump in the first tree they come to. I am sure I have done some things in the past to help with the deer education program . But you do what you got to do and hunt where the deer are if you want to take one of the big boys.
As always have a nice day and a good hunting season.

Hornet

Suspension

hang a stand in your yard at home and practice or climb up on the barn or garage and practice. As long as your practice it's all good.

My main goals are to never fall out of the stand and never spill my spit tune.

NRA Life Member ---"A pocket knife, a clean hankey, and a pistol... things I can use." - Ted Nugent

buckeyboy

Hornet, I assumed you were hunting private land. I understand you have to do what you have to do, when hunting public. In Rhode Island we have an Island called Prudence Island. When I hunted there it was so funny the deer need sun glasses they look up so much, they actually scan the trees because they are so used to hunters being in the trees.I try not to let that happen on the private land I have permission I hunt on . Hope I dident offend you, was Not meant that way.[:)][:)]