Like Cloud9 said, the deer never seem to come from the same direction twice for me. My preference is about 20ft. for bow, higher for gun.I like mostly facing straight towards the direction I "think" they will come, helps me see them without having to move. I like the sun to be setting at my back and try to get cover immediately behind me, if it is a holly tree behind me even better cause they stay green all year. The tree behind breaks my outline and also lets me turn my head when I hear one slipping up behind me I'm one of those who is itching to see it before it passes under me.