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Tree Selection

Wirrex

Wirrex

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Oct 8, 2016
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Wisconsin
When you guys are setting up on a spot what do you look for in a tree? What are your favorites? What are some of the less than ideal trees you have sat and how did you make them work with your system?

I have been forced to sit some heavily angled trees and found that sitting below the angled trunk was not comfortable at all. I also sat one tree, not sure of the type, that had pickers on all the smaller limbs. That tree was great to set up in but once I was there I found that anything metal (steps and caribiners) that rubbed with pressure squeaked! I was really pissed about that one as it was otherwise perfect.

Anyway, just looking to gain some insight.
 
Yesterday I sat in the Y of a tree about 20ft up, it was awesome, my XOP platform fit just right about 2ft above the Y and I used the one trunk as a back rest, it was amazing! A lot of guys like skinny trees, but I find the limbs move around a bit when you shift your weight...
 
I always want some sort of cover. In order of preference:
1. Set up in a Y or crotch.
2. Set up just at or just below the canopy level for that tree.
3. Pick a larger tree and use the trunk of the tree to hide behind.

If you are hunting a tree that leans, you want to be on the topside of the tree so you are going into the lean. Severe leans can be tough and will do a number on your knees after a while.
 
redsquirrel said:
I always want some sort of cover. In order of preference:
1. Set up in a Y or crotch.
2. Set up just at or just below the canopy level for that tree.
3. Pick a larger tree and use the trunk of the tree to hide behind.

If you are hunting a tree that leans, you want to be on the topside of the tree so you are going into the lean. Severe leans can be tough and will do a number on your knees after a while.
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I would also suggest looking for a tree that has cover or structure behind you. That way you aren't silhouetted as easy. An oak that hasn't dropped its leaves yet, or some type of conifer.

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Erniepower said:
I would also suggest looking for a tree that has cover or structure behind you. That way you aren't silhouetted as easy. An oak that hasn't dropped its leaves yet, or some type of conifer.

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Good point Ernie.
 
redsquirrel said:
If you are hunting a tree that leans, you want to be on the topside of the tree so you are going into the lean. Severe leans can be tough and will do a number on your knees after a while.
Click to expand...

Amen!!! This past weekend I did my first two hunts from the same tree. It had a bad lean but decent cover in a great location. I decided on the Ken Sling and knee pads. After two hunts like that I was nearly unable to walk to my stands for the next two days. Luckily it was cold enough for the Web the rest of the weekend.
 
g2outdoors said:
Leaning trees are tough on comfort for sure.
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Just depends on the tree and how you use it. There's one tree I hunt out of on a 45degree angle but at hunting height theres a branch just above knee level that I use as a seat. If it's a good location and you don't have any other options you can try shooting more from a hanging possition with your feet perpendicular to the branch. Just sit on the branch while you wait then lift your body just enough not to scrape along the branch and slip off to the side like a snake into the water to rotate into position.
 
I agree with you. There are ways to make leaning trees for work. However, if you are just hunting out of a leaning tree without any special circumstances (like your perfectly placed branch stool) you could be in for an uncomfortable hang.

One of my favorite hunts ever was in a "Y" of a tree. Both branches were leaning slightly away from me. It worked because I could lean back against the second trunk. This made for a VERY concealed and comfortable hunt.
 
Maustypsu said:
Amen!!! This past weekend I did my first two hunts from the same tree. It had a bad lean but decent cover in a great location. I decided on the Ken Sling and knee pads. After two hunts like that I was nearly unable to walk to my stands for the next two days. Luckily it was cold enough for the Web the rest of the weekend.
Click to expand...

What the heck happened? Im way out of shape and have no problems, so Id like to understand whats going on. I have now gone to a single knee pad and offset my hook up to allow me to use that one knee and not twist out of position.
 
The "Killin Tree" is my favorite tree. Its a large cotton wood on the edge of the swamp. Deer used to walk too close to it, so I hinge cut 4 small trees to form a wall deer didnt want to go through. They now come at the tree and when they get about 20yds from it, they angle giving me an 18yd shot that is slightly quartering away. The tree has no real cover, but is large enough I am hidden behind it. Almost feels like Im cheating as the deer dont have a clue. :sunglasses:
 
kenn1320 said:
What the heck happened? Im way out of shape and have no problems, so Id like to understand whats going on. I have now gone to a single knee pad and offset my hook up to allow me to use that one knee and not twist out of position.
Click to expand...

It wasn't the saddle at all. It was the tree angle. I was angled straight into the tree so steeply that I had all of my weight on my knees apparently.
Worst part of it was... the first hunt I had an old wary doe 5-15 yards in front of me for 45 minutes when I was in my least comfortable position. Then deer started to pour out from every where. Buck grunting, doe bleating and I'm just stuck there at a 30 degree angle into the tree with my knees doing most of the support.
 
Maustypsu said:
It wasn't the saddle at all. It was the tree angle. I was angled straight into the tree so steeply that I had all of my weight on my knees apparently.
Worst part of it was... the first hunt I had an old wary doe 5-15 yards in front of me for 45 minutes when I was in my least comfortable position. Then deer started to pour out from every where. Buck grunting, doe bleating and I'm just stuck there at a 30 degree angle into the tree with my knees doing most of the support.
Click to expand...
OK, just checking. I want to make sure you guys are happy. :D
 
Yeah. I never sat in a tree that had such a steep angle w/o the Web. In that thing it is a benefit. Much easier to stand up from sitting when you are already at that angle.

But it was too much for my thigh muscles.


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