It depends on the area I am hunting. I like to get about 15 - 20 feet but I have been around 35 feet. When you get that high it tests your wits. Throw some wind in there and you are moving like a mother. I have been scared numerous times and have fallen out once from 20. It was early and I screamed on the way down. I checked my self out and got right back up. I screamed so loud deer from ten miles knew where I was and I didnt see anything. My buddies love the long version to this story but this is a politaclly correct site. RD