Contributors to this thread:
When in a tree stand, do you stand to take your shot or shoot sitting? Just thinking about this today while I was in the stand and I can only recall shooting 3 deer sitting opposed to 50 sumthing deer standing.
I try to minimize movement I've shot 75% of deer sitting down
I shoot sitting if they are more on the left, and shoot standing if they are more on the right. I would say it's been about 50/50.
Sitting if possible. But I always stay standing for the first and last hour of hunting time. And in between for short spells.
Standing, even though I practice it in the off season I just feel 100% more confident standing
I agree with Fess. During normal high movement periods I stand... I'd only shoot seated if a deer surprised me and I had no choice.
Standing. I always target practice standing. I used to practice sitting down in ground blind but never had any success in the field, so moved on.
I always shoot standing. I don't practice sitting so I wouldn't try it during prime time.
Standing for me. I took the seat off of my climber because i was falling asleep in my stand to much.
50/50 depends on were they come from and how long I have to get ready .
All my shots are standing I like to stand it keeps me more focused.
Standing to allow easier re-positioning as the deer moves and to allow leaning away from tree with safety harness rope.
Standing, it's the only way I've ever practiced.
I'm always standing, my climber doesn't have a seat. I plan on making one some day. -Duncan
I prefer to shoot standing since that's how I practice. I had a doe sneak in on me Saturday and shot her while sitting down though.. first one ever while sitting. I had no opportunity to stand so it was a now or never deal.
If I have enough time and cover, I rather stand but I shoot a lot sitting down.
If the deer will be on my right I have to stand up. if you are right handed you can't shoot to your right sitting down.
I try to set up my stands so that deer are on my left whenever possible.
well I cant use your stands .I AM LEFT HANDED LOL
Both. Crow's right though, can't shoot right sitting down but no problem on left. I also stand last hour and once in a while to stretch.
No problem Steve. Sit on my lap and everything on the right is yours and everything on left, I shoot. There will be no standing and turning arround permited. I'll push you off the tree.
I stand so I have to rely on my senses because I try to stand (VERY SLOWLY) as soon as I see movement or hear steps.
I've never shot a deer from the sitting position so maybe its something I'll work on, but it just seems so unnatural to me.
I shoot 80% sitting, Im righty so anything from a little right of center, to left is all seated anything past that right is standing, however I try to anticipate that and hang all my sets so they approach from the left. Unless I'm hanging a set for my dad lol. He's of course a lefty.
Curious, seems like lots of guys use climbers that are the sit and climb style, with the bar in front, you have to stand to shoot right?
Always stand. I don't practice sitting. And I have deer come from all over. Never have been picked off or not be able to stand when a deer approaches.
One thing: for those who like to stand (I like it best) but have to sit sometimes (long time on stand means more sitting) it's imperative to have a fixed position stand that has a seat that goes up easily and silently. If your have a fixed seat and you are standing at the end of the platform, you are more likely to be spotted. In those cases, from a concealment point of view, you might be better off sitting on the edge of the seat leaning forward to have a square torso and good form. Stands like the Tree Lounge, where it is nearly impossible to stand without a lot of movement are likely to screw you when you are caught flat on your ass when the big one appears already in bow range. This new Lone Wolf Alpha tek is pretty nice. Millennium stands look pretty good, nice combination of comfort with an easily folding seat.
Doc,
funny you should mention standing close to the tree to hide from the view of the deer. I agree with that and do the same, however I also find it useful to be able to lean out from the stand, using the safety harness rope, to be able to place my shot through an opening or around the back side of your tree.
I usually stay seated until the deer either can't see me move or moving and not looking my way. I guess nothing is perfect, is it?
Being right handed, I find that standing right shoulder agains the tree allows me to lean back a little and see behind and to the stands left, and I can sweep my head left and see everything in front of and to the right and back right of the stand. Bow hanging in front of me as I stand facing the stands right. Overhead hangers are cool but not essential.