Optimum Treestand Height
Filed under: Ask Grant, Hunting Tactics
Dear Grant, How do you determine the height at which you place your treestands? Is it determined by the tree, topography or tradition? If it is a regular height, what height might that be? I have been a hunter for 25 years but I only recently took up bow hunting and find that I am now using treestands all the time. Determining the optimum height is a question that is always in the back of my mind. Bryan (Ontario)
Bryan,
I have no set treestand height. I have three primary goals when hanging a tree stand: safety, adequate cover, and scent minimization. Factors that impact all three characteristics vary at each location. At The Proving Grounds topography can definitely affect stand placement. Depending on whether I’m shooting up or down a slope affects my stand height. In some cases I’ve hung stands 30+ feet high to get myself sufficiently high to be above deer walking nearby on a ridge top or food plot.
I like to plan for a high probability that my shot placement will allow double lung penetration. If the stand is too high in relationship to the location of the deer at the time of the shot, only one lung will most likely be hit. Otherwise, in general I like to be as high as practical to reduce the chances of a deer detecting my scent or movement. Remember, safety should always be the first consideration!
Growing Deer together,
Grant
