hi geter, I have hunted in stands as low as 7 or 8 feet and hunted as high as 14 1/2 feet. some guys like to hunt higher of course and will hunt between 15-20 feet.I have even heard some guys claim that they will hunt as high as 40 feet in the air. ( I dont think I would go that high) I wouldn't trust the stability of the main limbs on the tree unless it was absolutely a huge tree. In the same note, I have talked to some old timers that said that they have sat on branches (only 4 feet off the ground)

I think its up to you and what you feel comfortable with. (when the wind is really rippin in my woods, I am more comfortable in my 7-8 foot stands than my 14 1/2 foot stand. If the wind is too bad and trees start falling I will even abandon the woods completely and hunt edges of feilds or openings in brush lots.

Be safe and find what height fits your situation and also what you are comfortable with.