Tree stand placement.

[harvey lee]

This last weekend I found a new spot to try out and the deer were there. I did have one huge problem with the position of my stand in the tree though.

I had a trail running to the north and south and set up to the east side in a area that had plenty of background cover to reduce the chance for the deer to silhouette me in the skyline. I set up the stand early in the day and returned that evening approx 3 hours before sunset. I scouted very little in this area as I didnt want to scent it up too bad knowing that I would be hunting it that same day. After sitting in the stand for a half hour I realized that all the deer were coming from the west and going east on another trail and intersecting with the north south trail. Every deer that I saw that evening spotted me from another angle since they were traveling to the east. I have never been spotted by 18 deer in one evenings hunt.

lesson to be learned is that it is probably better to spend a little more time checking out the area before placing a stand and not knowing where all the trails are in that area.

It all worked out fine as I still shot one of the flattops but there were three deer that hung back and never did get close enough. One of those could have been one that I might have taken.

[Stratosman]

No matter how many times I hit the woods, there is always something that I can learn. Sometimes the hard way...

In a situation like you had, sometimes it's impossible to predict what the deer will be doing until you're in there. Sometimes setting up a stand a ways off a spot can give you a visual before you move in, but that often times isn't feasable.

Just tell yourself the ones that held back were spotted anyway.

[harvey lee]

I agree but, if I would have taken a little more time I woulkd have found that othere trail and could have set up a little different. I just didnt want to scent it up too much.

One never knows.

[Stratosman]

COuldn't have been too bad if you put one in the freezer anyway.

[harvey lee]

Yes, it worked but I am wondering what was laying back a few more yards that wouldn't show itself.

[bigbucks]

Congrats on whacking the first of the year. So did you move it yet or will you be?

[ghotierman]

Opener is still two weeks out, isn't it? Or was this a special hunt?

[Meat-Run]

HL was hunting in the dakotas and they opened this weekend.

mr

[ghotierman]

AHHH...thanks for clearing that up!

[harvey lee]

North Dakota-August 31st.

I already moved this stand for the next trip up in a few weeks.

[Stratosman]

Probably just a spike, who wants to burn their buck tag this early anyway?

[USPENAMC]

i wanted to know how high to put it up i just plan on setting it off with the first 5 feet section on there. im only doing it to be able to see over the small woods, trees etc. if im going only 5 feet off am i just wasting my time. I was actually going to find a hill and then just use 5 feet off the ground that would give me 10 to 15 feet automatically or more.

[harvey lee]

If your only going to set your stand 5 feet off the ground you are going to have issues with being spotted by most deer. One will need to get up somewhat higher. I know at first it can be a little spooky going higher but the higher you get the better off you will be. I try to always go a minimum of 16 feet and will try for 20' plus if the tree will allow for that.

I hope this answers your question as I was not quite sure what you were looking for in an answer.

[delmuts]

tom is right! being that low you will have problems with being spotted. if it is just a issue of being afraid of heights, ( i have this problem also! any thing over three ft. i got nervous!!)i put one of the ladder stands up in my back yard ,and climb up and just sit in it.( yes you will get some strange looks from neighbors , but oh well!)at first i may leave FINGER NAIL marks in the tree, but it doesn't take long to get comfortable. i us the 15 ft. ladders, and take care of have limbs around me to help break up my outline. del

[harvey lee]

The first time I get up into a new stand location whether it be a climber or a fixed stand I will always do this, once up in the tree, I will sit and get relaxed and get my knees to stop shaking and then stand up. Then, I will sit down again and then stand and move around some. After those few times I always feel pretty comfortable in it.

It takes some time but you will feel safer in it. I would also reccommend wearing a safety device. This year I purchased a safety vest and I bought my son one last year. All I can say about these is they are comfortable to wear, easy to get into and I feel very safe at any height.

[BLACKJACK]

Harvey, what kind of safty vests did you buy? I have one of the original seat of the pants harnesses, it works ok but is awkward to put on, been thinking about upgrading.

To anyone that does NOT wear a safty harness, think about what that fall from 20 feet could do to you, and then think about your loved ones.

[xedge2002]

I used to be terrified of heights. But then I started working with a friend and his dad doing construction and had to go up on roofs to shingle and stuff like that. Now I can crawl on any roof without too much of a problem. I know it isn't practical for everyone but the more often you do it the easier it is to go up high. I would do like Del said and put it up in your backyard and sit in it the more time you spend sitting high off the ground the more comfortable you will be with it. Also wear the harness that should give you some level of comfort as well.

[harvey lee]

Hunters Safety Pro Series Harness.

[chucker34]

Make sure and be connected the whole way up and down the tree. It not only instills conficence in going high but it prevents accidencts from when they are most likely to happen - when climbing up or down.

You can do this the homemade way with some rope and the proper knots running the length of the tree to your stand. Someone probably knows how to do this or could point to a post telling you how.

Or you can buy commercially made set-up like I have. I use the Fall Guy System which has a retracting safety strap that accompanies me up and down the two ladderstands I use in addition to my blinds. I don't like heights but this device has boosted my confidence considerably. As a homemade system could do as well.