Bow stand height

[mnwild14]

How high do you normally put your bow hunting stand? I am usually only 7-8 feet up and haven't noticed much difference in shooting compared to stand on the ground. Do many people go up over 10 feet, and how does that affect your shooting? I could try it and find out, but I am curious as to what most people do. I am thinking I would like to get a little higher so there is less chance getting spotted.

[BLACKJACK]

I like to be somewhere between 12-20 feet, any higher and the shot angle gets tough. Plus most of the climbing sticks and timbers that I use for making ladder stands are in that 12-16 foot range. I think the key to not getting spotted is to have a comfortable seat and place your stand off the trail 15-20 yards, and never where the deer are going to come directly at you.

[Stratosman]

I believe the higher the better for a couple of reasons, first what you mentioned about being spotted, many times when I was just starting out in bowhunting I would often only hang my stand 10' of so and I don't even know how many times deer picked me off blowing any opportunity I would have had. Second, the deer are a bit less likey to pick up your scent the higher you go, especially in the critical close ranges as the breeze will likely carry your scent above the ground for a longer period of time.

I try to at least get 15' or better and always make sure I have good branch cover to conceal my outline and movement. Safety is a concern, so be cautious. I practice from an elevated area (deck) to simulate the actual conditons.

[fishin58]

I agree pretty much with everything that has been said higher the better but for a permanent it has to at 15' max the rules used to state the platform was supposed to be 15' max now it just says 15' so that could maybe mean the roof but i am guessing not but maybe someone else knows exactly c.o??

[Guest]

My portables I try to get 16-20 feet up to get above eye sight and less chance of the deer scenting you.Always remember to wear your safety harness.

[Johnny B]

Early in the year I place stands much lower than I normally do since the tree’s canopy is full yet and visibility is limited. Too high up and you can't see very far out. As the season progresses and leaves start to drop, I then place stands 20-22’ high for the same reasons already mentioned: air thermals carry scent away and you reduce the chances of being busted when you are that high. None-the-less, I have been busted even at ridiculously high levels by making stupid moves when I thought nothing was watching. I use tree spikes to climb trees: the kind that strap on to your boots & ankles, this always me the flexibility to climb most any tree and quickly scan the area and shooting lanes to determine exactly where to set-up. They also come in handy throughout the year when we need to trim trees.

[bigbucks]

15' or more generally, like someone said lower possibly depending on the cover & what it takes to get clean shooting lanes. I like to leave a branch between the base of the stand & the ground right in front of the stand & expect the shots to be on either side of it. If they look straight up they see the branch, not you, & it gives you something to draw behind.

[bigbucks]

I just looked at the regs again to verify, but technically the max height for permanent stands is 16' not 15'. It's been that way for probably 20 years or more. I think way back when it may have been 12' or even 10', but it's been a long time.

[mnwild14]

Does the 16' max height apply to portable deer stands?

[fivebucks]

Portable stands can be at any height, it's just perm. that are regulated.

[joneshat11]

25-30 feet. You can do a dance up there and the deer don't notice!!

[MN_Hunter]

I don't have a stand that is lower than 20ft

[buzzsaw]

Quote:

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Does the 16' max height apply to portable deer stands?

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That rule only pertains to fixed stands, not portables.

[lunker651]

I bow and gun hunt. When I bow hunt I do want my stand to be between 10-20 feet depending on the spot i hunt. When I gun hunt, 7-15 feet is okay for me. These height don't really effect my shots, but I don't shoot deers, when they are under your tree stand, they have to be at lease 15 yards or more to have a good vital shot using a bow, but that's me. For guns, the closer the better.

[kevfish]

I ussually just go 9 feet high. But last night I wish I were higher. While hunting some public land a huge 12 pointer came in from behind me and stopped 10 yards away- broadside!!!!! as I pulled my bow back, he seen me and took off. I think if I was 6 feet higher the nice buck would be hanging in the garage