RE: shot straight down from the stand
You really need to practice shooting from an elevated position if this is the way your going to hunt! I shoot off my Balcony EVERYDAY because this is the way I hunt. You can practice and practice but when the time comes there is so much more going on its unbelievable!!!! I wouldn't even call it buck fever, I call it Deer fever!!!!
I personally won't take that type of shot, I'll wait for the deer to walk out further from my tree or not shoot at all!