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For trad, how high is too high for good shooting angle?

HuumanCreed

HuumanCreed

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2020
Messages
2,678
Location
Westminster Maryland
Full disclosure, I honestly am too new to give feedback about which is better in regards to elevated or ground hunt. But I know my own personal preference, and that is to be as high as I can. I look for trees that can get me to 25+ ft simple because I love being up in the tree and the view is one of the reason. My compound bow give me a full 80 yards perimeter, almost 300 yards with a rifle.

But with more practicing in the trees in my yard, I realizes that with 15-20 yards range for my longbow, I need to be lower, probably around 15 ft if I want to hit both lungs. So I lower my presets to 15 ft, but sadly I miss being high in the tree, sometimes I wonder if I shouldn't just stay on the ground.

Just wondering, what's the highest you been up and did you regret it because of *****?

I'm still committed to saddle hunting. I just don't like sitting on the ground and giving up that view yet.
 
I don’t really have enough experience with trad in the saddle to give a great answer. However I did once hunt from a massive oak with my recurve and had a pretty substantial learning experience. I first attempted to set up at about 20 feet, but the tree circumference was too much for the strap on my platform. Fortunately my tie in point was quite high as so I had to ascend to about 35 feet. Just before sunset a nice buck drove a doe down the hill and they ran under me. I grunted to them and the buck came back around to investigate. He stopped about 20 yards downhill of me, but unfortunately was in really thick brush. There was no way I could get the arrow to him. Needless to say when he couldn’t spot another buck he turned and went back to the doe. Afterwards as I was processing the situation I realized that at 20 yards I could have made a shot if he was in the clear. But if he was closer than 10 yards I’d have to shoot almost strait down and through or close to his spine. I don’t think I’ll ever set up that high again if I’m hunting with a recurve - unless there’s some strange circumstance that changes the scenario.

I will hunt that high with a compound or gun though - it’s so hard for the deer to pick you off at that height.
 
I will hunt as low as I can with any weapon and still have cover. I've shot a ton of critters and nothing beats a broadside double lung shot. The higher you get the less chance of that. One lung can cause you problems! Even 15' up, if the deer is close, it can be nearly impossible to get both sides. JMO I really like to see them fall in sight!
 
My deer this year was approx. 12-15 yds. from the base of a tree that i was approx. 22-24 ft up.
Pierced him just off the backbone, came out the opposite side bottom, perforated both lungs.
Hopped off about 20 yds. and flopped over.
DAS recurve 50 lbs. 60" long 610 gr. arrow 2 blade VPA JX3 saddle, JX3 single top stick.
There are times I have had to wait for the deer to move away from the tree to shoot, as the angle was just too steep.
Practice at home, and figure out your comfort angle and shooting position.
 
JC3 said:
My deer this year was approx. 12-15 yds. from the base of a tree that i was approx. 22-24 ft up.
Pierced him just off the backbone, came out the opposite side bottom, perforated both lungs.
Hopped off about 20 yds. and flopped over.
DAS recurve 50 lbs. 60" long 610 gr. arrow 2 blade VPA JX3 saddle, JX3 single top stick.
There are times I have had to wait for the deer to move away from the tree to shoot, as the angle was just too steep.
Practice at home, and figure out your comfort angle and shooting position.
Click to expand...
It was definitely a lot easier with my 54AMO bow to take those closer shot under 5 ft. I tried it with my 68AMO and could not do it. Planning to use a 58AMO next season.
 
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When I switched to trad 6 years ago I came to the same realization that you are now. I was just like you, I loved to hunt 25+ with my compound and it quickly became clear that would not work for me with trad gear. I find that I prefer that my feet be between 12 to 14 ft high and I definitely don’t want to be higher than 17 ft. The angles really get challenging any higher than that. If you are a really good shot then you can get away with hunting higher but I am not a great shot and I need the margin for error. This has forced me to focus more on utilizing or creating back cover. Tying or hanging large conifer or oak limbs behind you will make a huge difference in how much you get busted. With a little extra effort, you can still go undetected.
 
HuumanCreed said:
Full disclosure, I honestly am too new to give feedback about which is better in regards to elevated or ground hunt. But I know my own personal preference, and that is to be as high as I can. I look for trees that can get me to 25+ ft simple because I love being up in the tree and the view is one of the reason. My compound bow give me a full 80 yards perimeter, almost 300 yards with a rifle.

But with more practicing in the trees in my yard, I realizes that with 15-20 yards range for my longbow, I need to be lower, probably around 15 ft if I want to hit both lungs. So I lower my presets to 15 ft, but sadly I miss being high in the tree, sometimes I wonder if I shouldn't just stay on the ground.

Just wondering, what's the highest you been up and did you regret it because of *****?

I'm still committed to saddle hunting. I just don't like sitting on the ground and giving up that view yet.
Click to expand...
If you feel comfortable with 20 yard practice range, your realistic, ethical hunting range will most likely be less than that.
I consider 18 feet to be on the high side for me. I like it when front cover and back cover allow me to be 12-14 feet.I'm not afraid of heights at all but I much prefer being lower when feasible.
Shooting 58", 48-52# recurve and 680 gr arrows.
 
How high is depending how accurate you are. Trad hunting is all about how close you can get...that is what makes it so exciting for me. I have several compounds and several modern firearms that I haven't picked up in so long don't know why I keep them. I like hunting with flintlocks and cap and ball pistols.
 
I am not really a fan of bowhunting off the ground either at least not stationary hunting. With any bow I want to be as low as I have good cover for. I seldom hang above 20-22 feet though. I much prefer 15-18 feet or as low as good cover affords.
 
Mtnbuck said:
After shooting traditional for the last 13 yrs I will have to say the sweet spot is 12-16 ft and be patient and wait for the shot to come to you!
Click to expand...

It’s been a while. How have things been?

There’s a 2024 shed hunting thread around here that I’m sure you have some things to show off in. :)
 
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HuumanCreed said:
Full disclosure, I honestly am too new to give feedback about which is better in regards to elevated or ground hunt. But I know my own personal preference, and that is to be as high as I can. I look for trees that can get me to 25+ ft simple because I love being up in the tree and the view is one of the reason. My compound bow give me a full 80 yards perimeter, almost 300 yards with a rifle.

But with more practicing in the trees in my yard, I realizes that with 15-20 yards range for my longbow, I need to be lower, probably around 15 ft if I want to hit both lungs. So I lower my presets to 15 ft, but sadly I miss being high in the tree, sometimes I wonder if I shouldn't just stay on the ground.

Just wondering, what's the highest you been up and did you regret it because of *****?

I'm still committed to saddle hunting. I just don't like sitting on the ground and giving up that view yet.
Click to expand...
What ever works. I prefer 12-15 ft. I always look for a good back drop if possible plus sun in the critters eyes has worked many times for me.
The lower height is usually the better 2x lung shot.
 
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