ORIGINAL: kwilson16
ORIGINAL: mfd1027
I shoot for at least 20' but it really depends on the tree and amount of cover I have around me.
Dan
This is the answer - it depends. Sometimes higher is not better. You might be able to see more from 20' than 24' depending on the tree limbs. I would rather be at 16' with excellent background cover than at 24' sticking out like a sore thumb.
Shot angle also becomes increasingly difficult. At high altitiudes, it is very difficult (or impossible) to double lung a deer that is close to your tree. Blood trails on steep downward shots arealso generally more sparse because a clean pass through is more difficult to acheive.
As theseasons progesses and leaves fall, I generally go higher - which works out because my comfort level has increased.
Great advise!
I rarely go higher than 18-20 feet. I usually hunt in the 12-15 ft range, many times hunting right on the ground(no blind).
I choose trees that offer some sort of cover, something for my camo to blend into. I wear a leafy type outfit with a headnet. This blends in well with a leafy background.
I too, am not crazy about shot angles from high in a tree, especially for close deer.
I realize sometimes you have no choice in places where there is little cover and most of the trees are mature. I usually hunt in areas that provide lots of cover, especially when ground hunting.