Tree stand height
Massachusetts
So I’m not the most comfortable in high places but I know my best chance at getting a deer is from a stand, what’s the minimum I need to be at?
I hunt a Minimim of 15ft up...back drop and cover is super important...you can get away sitting lower in a nice pine if possible
You can shoot deer from the ground so there really isn’t a minimum. Two things are important; your comfort level at a specific height and as 8’s stated your back drop. Break up your outline and move very slow and you can do it from the ground.
I've shot deer at 8ft, 10ft, 15 ft. I'd say minimum safe it 10, but any height above eye level with good cover/backdrop will increase your odds. I won't go above 15. Don't like the angles close range, and feel anything over that is excessive. That's just my experience and comfort zone
It really depends on the situation for me. anywhere from 8-30 feet
I try to stay sub 20 and the longer I hunt, the lower that number seems to get (given I'm elevation challenged).
If you hunt with a fixed position, a good branchy hemlock is the gift of gifts. You are almost in a blind with all the branches and dark needles. I had a stand years ago in Z6 where the base of the platform was face high, but the branches of the tree made it like a cave that was 6 feet up. I LOVED that spot. Shot several deer there. That was the lowest stand for me. Recently I had one that I could touch the platform from my tip toes, that was in a white pine snuggled into a hemlock.
In the climber I go about 15 most of the time, occasionally less. Occasionally, Ill go higher, but I dont like it.
Agreed will my favorite trees to set up in are hemlock and small beech trees say 10”DBH . I think the background is more important than the height like others have said honestly
Not a fan of heights either. Shot most deer on average of 12 feet. I love hemlocks like Will but rarely are they where I want to be.
Rarely below 20 feet... prefer 25... have been as high as 30.
"Respect the fear" I used to tell myself running rafters at 40ft up..but standing on that tiny platform at 15ft scares me..beech and pines for me or a good brushed in back drop
Climb as high as you are comfortable, get there and you might find it’s jot so bad. It gets easier, practice climbing at home if you can. I love using my climber for afternoon hunts, in the am, I’m too lazy to climb and stick to my stands.
Like above only go as high as u are comfortable. Being nervous is the last thing u want in your mind wen u draw on a deer. That said I used to do 15ft to bottom of platform. About seven years ago I tried 20 and I can say as fact that extra 5ft of height aids tremendously in not getting winded.
20+ if I can. I use a climber primarily and like to move a lot. Sometimes the tree dictates how high I can go. Always like to have a beech, holly or hemlock behind me if possible.
As others said, theres no minimum. depends on the situation. from 3ft to 30ft.
I think it totally depends on your tree and terrain. Back home in open woods I would get 25-30 feet, especially later in the season. Here in Eastern MA, the thickness and cover has been such that 18-20 feels good. That may change after all leaves fall.
I would make sure you have a stand you are comfortable with and practice a lot. The other key is a good harness which helps you feel safe and connected to the tree.
