I shot a 9 point from 30 feet up....never saw me, smelled me, or sensed me ther...watched him 25 minutes. I feel to vulnerable below 15 and ususually go 20 to 30....with sticks and my climber. It does have a ton to do with the cover in the tree or your surroundings, but I would rather be above the growth looking down then trough it loooking for a shot...IMHO