RE: shooting from stand
good ideas so far and I'm looking forward to more that people add. Bottom line is you have to figure out how you'll actually be shooting from the stand - leaning on knee, using branch, using sling to brace etc.... then actually practice at the range in the same way. Then you'll find out how good a shot you'll be in the stand and how far away you'll be able to shoot accurately. Practicing from field positions is the big "DUH" that a lot of people don't actually do at the range. I know when I sit or lay in the dirt, or use the shelter post to mimic a tree trunk, I'm the only one at our range that I see doing this stuff. Almost everyone just sits at the bench and shoots.