The only answer here is depends. Depends on the tree, surrounding cover, where the major trails are at that I'm covering. Never want too steep of an angle, really makes those close shots tougher than they should be. My ladder stands are 12 or 15 foot, most of my hang on stands are hung at 15-18 mainly because I use them where I need to get higher than my ladder stands, and my climber I'm usually at 18-20 as the trees I climb can never give me enough cover, I do try to stay farther from the trails then atleast 20 yrds then.