take a good look at the terrain. If your in a bottom your going to want to get higher typically, but it depends on the cover, sometimes going to high cuts out a lot shots. If your in between ridges and the deer walk on them remember that if your not high enough they will be looking at you eye to eye. Also if you have a tree that provides cover, place the stand to best use that cover. I have a stand in Holly thicket where the deer chase a lot during the rut. That stand is maybe 12ft up- any higher i have no shots, lower i dont take advantage of the cover. I have shot nice bucks out that stand at 3 yards- never knew i was there. In open hardwoods its usually 20ft for me. do what works, every set is different.