I've found that probably half the people in the woods really don't know. They tell you 20 feet but are probably no more than 14 or 15. I have a 20 foot haul line on my climber. I usually stop when my bow is fully off the ground which probably puts the platform at 20. I often stop a lot sooner because of canopy, cover and terrain. If I can get hooked on a good double or triple tree I consider it great cover but like to get as high as I feel comfortableto open up the shooting lanes between the trees. Usually 22-24 feet does it. Last night I was only about 15 feet, maybe less, because of cover and the set up. I climbed a pine on the edge of some hardwoods. There were a ton of little beech trees still covered with leaves around the tree. I climbed until I could lasso and pull a couple trees in and tie off to my stand so I was jut and extension of the top of the beeches. No way will an animal see you like that.

For hang ons I have some 16 foot and 20 foot sticks. I usually hang the stand with the platform a foot or two down from the top of the stick. Tat way I can throw an extra rachet strap around the stand and the sticks securing it all well. I generally throw in a couple screw in steps above it all to help me getting in and out and to hang my pack, binos or whatever on.