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Extreme Tree Stand Height

I like the THOUGHT of sitting high but when my climber gets over about 18 feet, I get real shaky (in the knees). So thats where I stop about 15 to 18 ft. I also went and made myself a ghillie suit last year. I was in a tree where I couldn't get up more then 12ft. I had a 9pt walk right beside my tree and then stop about 10ft out. He popped his head up and looked at me twice and then went on browsing out to about 10yds, before he followed a doe out. I figure all that burlap smells like a hay bale. And I had a buddy who said I look like a big squirrels nest. So that made me think maybe I don't have to be so high all the time. I do get alot of strange looks from the farmers when I go to my stand though.
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Ours are all permanent, put one up about 12 years ago that was 25' high...made metal steps from re-rod and lag bolted them to the tree. A couple of years ago I began having trouble reaching the steps...it then dawned on me the tree had grown and the steps were getting further apart. It's about 40' high now. Had to put a few more steps in between the originals....a great view but a little brisk when those cold winter winds cut through you.
 
I keep trying to get higher each year, but like previous post, start getting pretty uncomfortable as I get higher - even with a climber and safety belt. I don't know what it is, but it starts getting pretty uncomfortable.
 
I think a lot depends on how much cover each tree offers and wind direction. I like to hunt hang my stands about 18'-20', although I have hunted lower and higher when needed. I don't have a problem with heights, but the shot angle from 25' and above is a little steep for me.

TB
 
My views about this are probably a little biased, but I'll give it a go. In the story the writer related how easy it was to shoot the button buck. Well we all know how easy any fawn is to fool. It wouldn't have mattered if he was 50 ft. up or on the ground. When I used to hunt from trees, I liked to be at around the 20 ft mark. Shot angle was good and I felt comfortable. The deer would wind me at times, but I didn't want to go higher. It still boils down to one main ingrediant, play the wind. I do think the point is, if you can shoot good from higher elevations and are comfortable with it, then go for it.
Wear a safety harness and let people know where you are hunting. I made a terrible mistake 6 years ago and took a bad fall. Literally blew the veins apart in both legs. I'm a lucky one, I still walk, kinda, and hunt, all from the ground. 10 ft.or 50ft. a fall can hurt or kill. Whatever a person decides, be careful. Jay
 
The guy in the story talked about getting a second shot off at the button buck, and indicated that could never happen to any deer at lower heights. Not true...I've had it happen twice and seldom hunt more than 15 feet up. Once was a nice doe and the other a 9 point buck. I guess if a person likes being that high, so be it. I'm pretty much in the 12-15 feet range and it has been fine for me. Sure I get winded once in awhile, but it always gives me a good excuse
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And Rembrandt, that growing tree story had me chuckling. I suppose that's true for all of us hunting out of permanents, and we just don't realize it.
 
Whatever you decide high or low do it safely. No harvest is worth jeopardizing your life. 5 feet or 50 feet use safety equipment.

I personally do not hunt over 12-13 off the ground and I experience very little trouble getting kissing close to deer of all magnitudes. My opinion is that hunting discipline is as valuable as many fixes to the inconvenience of the challenges.

Go where you have a good time, but always be careful.
 
You gotta play the wind. wind wind wind wind wind wind wind wind. Everything else is a far second place.
 
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