I am not a novice deer hunter .But I havent bow hunted in 15 years and always used a blind . But a stand to gun hunt out of . I am more mobile on the ground with a bow. The last time I went to shoot from a stand I was 15 feet up and got busted . thanks
Funny you ask, I myself am putting one up, and taking one down. I recently put up a hang-on at 16' up with steps. I'm taking that down and moving my ladder stand to its position. My ladder stand will be about 24-25' up. Being higher certainly doesn't guarantee a kill, but it certainly helps. I just feel more comfortable higher...
Really its more about cover than height for me. Most times 16-20 ft is good. Depends on situation. Higher u go , smaller your target becomes.
He is right about the cover. I hunted all day today from a 12 foot ladder stand and at one point had six does all grazing within 10 yards of me and never knew I was there. Obviously I would rather be higher, but I already had this stand so I made it work. However, I am concealed VERY well. One doe was pretty sharp and caught my scent a couple times, but she never did get spooked.
i have hunted from 10 ft to 30 ft, it just depends on the lay of the land and the cover on the tree, for me
Also consider the terrain. My area is hilly. At 24', I may only be 18' above terrain only 30yrds uphill. Even "lower" the higher up you go. You have to take every aspect of your spot into consideration. There's no shortcuts to LEARNING...
Most of my stands are 20. I have one that is 16 but I am concealed very well. I also have 2 that are about 28. It just depends on cover and the lay of the land.
I wish I had seen the other thread stupid me LOL I build Bridges for a living so I could go to the tip top of the tree and be Ok until the wind threw me out . LOL
It all depends on where the best cover is. I like to be anywhere from 18 to 20 feet with cover. IF there is cover lower , say 10 to 16 feet then I will stay at that height if there is no cover higher. IF there is no cover at all then I try to get as high as I can. I've been up 30 feet in some places, I would go higher if necessary but I've yet to find a tree in my area that would allow this with my climber.
Depends on the hunting situation for me. In the woods I use a 12' ladder stand. For use looking over a field, I use a 15' ladder stand.
i always try to get at least 18 feet up 20 is better an between 20 to 25 most times .As stated shot angles do change but i found the areas i hunt the closer i am 20 feet or more the odds are much better for me .