I think it all depends on what type of tree and cover you have. Where I hunt the trees that are big enough to put a stand in don't have any branches for cover. Once I got over 25 feet I noticed a big diverence in the amount I got picked off. A buddy of mine consistently kills deer from stands that are only 15 ft high.
For me it all depends on where I'm hunting. I've been in spots where 12 foot is as high as I could get and killed deer, and there's spots where I've been 35 foot up. A lot of factors come in to play. Early season you have to deal with leaves. So you may not be able to get to high and still be able shoot good. Late season I always try to get up 25+ foot so I dont get seen easy. It still all depends on the situation.
I'm hunting thicker and thicker cover each year, not necessarily later in the season itself. But I hunt swamps mixed with evergreens late so low us still the best option.
I started bow hunting 4 years ago and sat in an old ladder stand the guys were using for gun hunting. My tree was pretty naked and I was about 15 feet up. After getting sick of getting busted by deer I bought my own stand this year- I went with a 20 ft ladder stand and I put it on a cedar tree with much better cover about 20 yards from my old stand (always saw enough deer so i wanted to stay close). I can say I didnt get busted once this year and I got my first bow kill ever- a decent 8 pointer. JVog
I hunt as high as I can, but never higher than I have to. Most of my sets are in the 22-28 foot range....however my new hot stand this year was all of maybe 15 feet high, location dictated its placement and getting higher was not an option. Have another stand spot that may be only hunted with certain crosswinds next year...if so, that stand will be only about 14 feet high in a thick cedar. :D The folks I know and have toured their properties that have trouble killing deer or getting busted are usually your 10-15 foot stand height guys on bare trees. Honestly, mature deer of either species are gonna pick you off even if you are still usually. Gotta have some cover or sight blocking and backdrop.
If you aren't 60' you wont shoot a buck! No, a big thing I have come to realize (very afraid of heights), is picking a good tree is more important then height most of the time. I have had a lot of success lately being in a pine, or having one on front of and/or behind me to help hide me even when leaves are gone. They are amazing cover, and I will be utilizing them a lot more going forward.
I'm typically between 15 to 25 feet, depending on lots of different factors. Biggest issue is making sure you have some type of backdrop behind you so that if you move, they can't daylight you. Sometimes they will see the movement but can't make it out, but if you have clear blue sky behind you and they see you move, your toast. I agree with purebowhunting that if you are hunting real thick cover, you really lose your shooting lanes if you go too high.
Shot my buck out of a small oak that holds leaves late, as in just last week I bet still had 60%...however I hauled cedar branches up it and zip tied them in to my back left and right...makes a HUGE difference. Getting ready in the off season to prep a Cedar stand that seriously may only end up 10 feet off the ground, but with the cover and right wind the deer will never know we're there.
I never go under 20 feet. The higher the better for me. Most of my stands are 25 feet or more. Cover is super important.....especially this time of year when all the leaves are gone. Hauling cedar branches or other cover up is a great idea too
I have a very bushy pine basically by itself in a field on the edge of what was corn and CRP this year. They seem to use that CRP to sneak to and from the woods and walk under that tree. I can get about 12' up and not really have to trim at all. Will be risky for sure, but I am excited and think it might be something. I have a cam there now trying to see when they use the trail.
20 minimum unless the branches don't allow. Helps reduce being sight/movement-busted and scent-busted. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I usually go 18 to 22 ft in my climber, but I have several hang on stands 15 to 12 ft in cedar tress and they are some of my best stands I just hunt the wind right and the cedar trees have such good cover I very rarely get pegged by deer.
^^^ This. Back round cover is critical from on the ground to skyscraper high. Deer see movement first.
I go about 20 feet. I move around alot so sometimes I don't quite set my climber steep enough and end up at 15-17 feet.
You can hunt 3 ft off the ground if there's enough cover around you. Being higher (in most cases) helps with scent when the deer are in close proximity. Staying out of there peripheral view is the main thing if your tree lacks cover. For the most part deer are scanning the terrain at ground level. It's when they see an unsightly blob sticking on the side of the tree in that top portion of their view that wasn't there yesterday that they really pick up on. I think that 20-26 ft range gets you to that point most of the time. Also backdrop is important. I guess that's another form of cover but not necessarily on the tree your in but the canopy and terrain behind you when the deer are staring at you. Eg. White clouds and blue sky doesn't blend well with mossy oak or real tree. Jacket and bibs. I have seen guys blend in ok with vertigo or even snow camo when they are in a tree that they will be skylined.
