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What is your go to hunting height?

Loper Outdoors

New Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2020
Messages
9
I have trying different heights over the years and I have discovered that when I sit 15 foot or higher the deer seem to spot me no matter what. I have them come in and not look at me but the ones that did most of the time they come in and without hitting any ground sent or wind and stop and look dead at me. Seems like over the many years of humans sitting in the tree deer have come accustomed to looking high in the trees for danger. It may just be me but I see it on tv and YouTube all the time.
I have tried sitting lower than 15 foot and have had success. I been in a tree that I could only get around 10 feet and had a younger buck walk under me with doe. I still try to get as high as possible but i have changed up and started climbing trees that I can not get that high. I hunt mainly swamps and swamp edges and most of the canopy is around 12 feet off the ground so I get in the canopy. Just wondering what others options is on this. Is it the deer adapting to tree danger or is it just me over thinking this?
 
Depends on the tree, but my ideal height is 14-16 feet. Any higher and shot angle could come into play. I've sat 8 feet in a tree and had a doe right under me once. Sat on the ground and had deer within arms reach. Killed from 23 feet last year. It's all about playing the wind, limiting ground scent and sitting still.
 
I usually find better cover at 10-15 feet to platform and have no problem being in that range whatsoever. I'll do like 18-20 if the cover isn't great. I almost never go above 20.

One of the most common hunting myths I see is that steep terrain requires higher climbing. It doesn't. I hunt steep country a lot. You may feel exposed to deer uphill but their vision follows the terrain contour. I've shot two nice bucks above me on steep slopes.
 
I have trying different heights over the years and I have discovered that when I sit 15 foot or higher the deer seem to spot me no matter what. I have them come in and not look at me but the ones that did most of the time they come in and without hitting any ground sent or wind and stop and look dead at me. Seems like over the many years of humans sitting in the tree deer have come accustomed to looking high in the trees for danger. It may just be me but I see it on tv and YouTube all the time.
I have tried sitting lower than 15 foot and have had success. I been in a tree that I could only get around 10 feet and had a younger buck walk under me with doe. I still try to get as high as possible but i have changed up and started climbing trees that I can not get that high. I hunt mainly swamps and swamp edges and most of the canopy is around 12 feet off the ground so I get in the canopy. Just wondering what others options is on this. Is it the deer adapting to tree danger or is it just me over thinking this?
Have you tried hunting in forked trees or crotches in trees? You can usually blend in better and go unnoticed. Also if you are getting busted high in a tree, you may be moving when the deer is still way away from you. When deer are farther away their line of sight allows them to see higher in the tree without raising their head.
 
I think the lowest my feet were this year was 18' because if I went higher the canopy would've blocked my shooting but other than that tree I seem to naturally climb to 22-24' at my feet. The areas I hunt are mainly hardwood trees that are usually limbless the first 20' so I like to get up at least that high to mingle with those branches for some cover.
 
As high as I can and still have shooting openings. Im a HIGHER IS BETTER GUY.
I have to say tho the last couple years in a saddle I have been hunting lower than in the past. I dont feel comfortable below 20’.
Ive done it this past year when the situation called for it.
I love getting to 30’ I feel invisible.
I tend to hunt forks more in my saddle.
If the perfect tree has a big fork in it 12’ up thats where I am.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I've been a "more higher more better" guy until this year. 30ft or bust. Loved being invisible to deer and other hunters. Have been very successful 10-15ft up this year though.

Presets where I can trim I still like higher I think. But it is a PITA to carry enough sticks, steps, aiders, or whatever other public-legal method you believe in to get even 20ft. And down here it is so thick and flat that you cant see as well if you go to high.
 
I hunt as low as the available cover allows. In open high canopy areas I typically go to about 20'. I hunted some straight up light poles this year with zero cover. Thought there is no way I will get away with this even hanging 20' but it was also my first season in a saddle and it really proved the value of not being on a lock on or in a climber when I could shift or lean and keep the trunk between me and deer.
 
I'm a higher the better kind of guy. My bow pull up strap is 30' long, an I like when I feel it get taut since I know I'm at 30'. I usually hunt out of a climber, so the pull up stap is attached to the base of the stand. So the height is often determined by the first limb. I seem to get by with more up higher. This will be my first year hunting from a saddle. Actually my kestrel flex is to be delivered tomorrow. I have four sticks so I'll probably go as high as I can with them. I also have a lone wolf hand climber to use as a platform and with that again the first limb will be the height.
 
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