I bought a new 15' Rivers Edge 2 man ladderstand yesterday and set it up on a good location right on a major deer trail. I set the stand up about 8' ft away from where the deer walk so this would almost be a straight down shot. Is this way too close or just fine? I'm worried that if the stand is too close to the trail passing deer will be more reluctant to come close but I would like to hear opinions on this.
All of mine are 20 yards from the trail. Less likely to get busted at that distance and it's easier to get a double lung from that angle
well the woods behind the trail is super thick and theres very few suitable trees to set up the stand back there so I guess I have to leave it where it is
One of my best stands for years is 30 yrds from a thick bedding area and 2 yrds from a deer hwy!! I've shot several deer out of that stand. Its a 15' ladder and on a ridge so I'm like 20' above the deer. Can't really shoot straight down so I would wait till they pass and take the quartering away shot.
I always try and put my stand far enough back that they don't notice the stand. A ladder stand this late in the year should be put back at least 20 yards. Every deer is going to notice your stand at first until they get used to it. You should get another stand and put it in front of that stand but on the other side of the trail but 20 yards in then when the deer stop to look at your two man you have a great shot.
I had a diamond shape where three different trails met in my woods. I sat up in the middle of the triangle so that I had a shot at all three. One was about 15 feet away and now the deer have moved that trail to come within 5 feet of my stand. I killed my biggest buck out of this stand last year at 25 yards. I personally would not worry about it but I would be very careful on what shot you take out of it. Make sure you have the right angle to make a good kill.
i always have them 15 to 20 yards away from the trail but i mean give it a try and see what happens if your gonna leave it
