What is your stand height attitude?

[mheichelbech]

Everything else being equal...that is, assuming there was just as good of cover at 12 feet, 15 feet, 18 feet or 20 feet or 25 feet, how high would you set your stand? Would you normally set it as high as possible or as low as possible somewhere in between?

I set a stand today...I have about the same shot availability at 12/15 feet as I would at 20 foot or higher. I set it about 15 feet because I really don't like heights but I have this nagging feeling I should go higher just because I can.

[Wapiti]

In flat terrain with equal cover at various elevations in the tree, I climb to ~25'.

It depends on prevailing wind/thermals/buck's line of sight when hunting terrain features.

[Ghost Hunter]

I try to stay at 6-15 feet dependent of cover. I don't like setting in a spot where I have to hunt 30 feet. I have done that several times. But since I have started using lock-on stands a lot. I have migrated to tighter areas where you have fewer choices an smaller twisted an deformed trees.

[GRUD]

A lower stand will give you a much better shot angle. I have migrated to hunting lower over the years and typically hill country is the place you might need to get way up there to get above the thermal zone. Weapon choice also makes a difference. I like to get way up with gun.

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[nater]

I don't like being further up than I have to be for safety reasons, but I do find myself going higher as I get more comfortable later in the season. At least that's the case with my climber.

That being said, I do not watch wind/thermals as closely as I should. There have undoubtedly been times when I've been winded that I could have avoided if I had moved further up.

[Edcyclopedia]

Well starters I'm scared of heights...

A couple things make me feel safer.
1) Diameter of tree (+12-15" is nice)
2) Type of tree (Hemlocks with branches are ideal)

I would say with 4-climbing sticks and my lengthy 29" inseam puts me between 14-18'...
However I have been as high as 27'.

A lot depends on trajectory of shot for what I believe is an ethical kill - however if I have my choice it would be closer to the 20' mark...

[G3s]

I am of the mindset to try to use the terrain to my advantage. I try to imagine where I expect the deer to come from and exactly where they will be standing when I shoot and set my stands to that specific spot. I dont want to be to high and create a difficult shot angle/single lung hits. If I set up and expect a little longer shot in the 30-40 yard range I may set up in the 25-26 foot range, if I am expecting a 10 yard shot I may be in the 14-15 foot range.

[dan]

Scent,cover, and shot angle dictate where I put the stand. It could be anywhere from from a hole in the ground to 30 feet high... Personal preference for ideal would be at about 18 feet. But rarely is a stand set at an "ideal" height for me. Cover and air movement are the biggest factors.

[Crazinamatese]

12-15 feet.

[Stanley]

Platform height 15-18 feet. I have hunted lower but not much higher. I just am comfortable at 15-18.

[Mario]

I goes as high as I can safely, usually ends up being 18-20, but If I can get i some dense cover lower I will adjust. Also certai heights may eexpand limit my shot opportunities so I adjust accordingly...

[ Post made via Android ]

[mheichelbech]

Does anyone think there is much difference in scent dispersion between, say 15 feet, 18 feet, and 20 feet? Assuming you have the same amount of cover at any of those heights?

[Dewey]

I set up whatever height I need to be as long as it offers me any type of cover advantage but rarely go over 20 eet with a hang on stand. With my climber I sometimes set up higher but mostly for gun hunting to extend my range if needed.

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[Tapeworm]

Anywhere from 8 ft where im above palmettos but below scrub oak canopy to around 40 ft in a couple clearcuts. All depends on where I expect deer, wind, available tree cover, etc.

[ Post made via Android ]

[BassBoysLLP]

Same as Dan. 30+ feet to sitting in a hole with 18' and cover being my happy place.