Is 10' enough??
 

I hunt along side a railroad track where there are old used telephone polls that are only about 15' high... if I were to setup a tree stand on the telephone poll at the height of 10' to where I am looking directly across the trail and I am prolyl only 15 to 20 yards away...is that a good setup or do I need to be higher??

RE: Is 10' enough??
 

higher would be alot better

RE: Is 10' enough??
 

I would want some cover around me. A telephone pole offers no cover whatsoever so I'd want to be much higher, maybe 25 feet or so.

You can get away with 10 feet if background cover is there to break up your outline. On a telephone pole I think you'd stick out like a sore thumb. But if the deer aren't spooky you might get away with it.

RE: Is 10' enough??
 

Why does it ring a bell in my head that telephone poles are a No-no for using as stand sites?..........safety, legaility? Heck I can't remember.[&o]

If there isn't an issue with actually using the poles, 10ft is OK as long as you have sufficient back cover, and proper wind direction.......and some unpressured deer. You definitely don't want to look like a loli-pop.
There's places I've hunted where if you tried to hunt 10ft up in an exposed telephone pole all you'd be able to hear are the deer laughing well before you didn't see them. ;):D

Also try to chose a specific stand where the deer's primary travel route doesn't angle toward your stand at all. Don't give em' an excuse to simply raise their heads....and laugh.[8D]

RE: Is 10' enough??
 

I think it would be better if you got a little higher, but if you can't it might work.

RE: Is 10' enough??
 

Matt, I was thinking the same thing. I know I read that somewhere.

To answer your question: yes, 10 feet is fine if you have good background cover.

RE: Is 10' enough??
 

I also think that the legality depends on the state, county and property it sits on. We have poles also that run on the property. It's legal to use them because they are considered part of the property but there's a serious safety issue to be addressed depending on if it's a active pole or deemed no longer safe for use. Make sure it's legal and safe1st.JMO

RE: Is 10' enough??
 

Depends on the set-up. I've hunted no-more than 8' off the ground to be in the right spot before. You simply must consider wind beyond anything else!

RE: Is 10' enough??
 

For starters you'll be trespassing , telephone poles are always on private property .

RE: Is 10' enough??
 

Guilty, Ive hunted telephone poles. You are sitting out like a sore thumb. Dress like a transformer. You need to be in a place where they are moving through without stopping. You need to be able to hit a walking target.

RE: Is 10' enough??
 

Maybe if you put on a linesmens uniform and a hard hat you won't need the back cover the deer will just think that you're working.

RE: Is 10' enough??
 

Not for me.

RE: Is 10' enough??
 

Usually on easements I thought, he did say they were old..maybe not in use anymore?

RE: Is 10' enough??
 

Even abandoned tracks are on private property regardless of whether the right of way has been surrendered or sold . It's still trespassing unless you own it or have written permission , and he doesn't. Don't know that I'd want to take a climber up something as smooth as a phone pole anyway , too big a risk of falling for my taste .

RE: Is 10' enough??
 

i wouldnt hunt from a telophone pole first because it probably not safe and second you will definitely stick out isn't there any trees close by. for the height there is nothing wrong with that but being higher would'nt hurt.

RE: Is 10' enough??
 

I have a terrific fear of heights. 12 foot is it for me. Last year I was fine around deer.However.....the hogs could smell me. They would walk up and the hair on their back would stand straight up and they would quietly and quickly disapear. This is with scent bloc on and not making a sound.

RE: Is 10' enough??
 

Not good. Do some more scouting. You think that an open place like that is good because of the field of view. Easy to get a shot of in a spot like that and just maybe you would get one, but I'm 99% sure you would never see a deer in a set up like that.

Prove us all wrong if you can. Good hunting:D

RE: Is 10' enough??
 

Higher is better and you need more cover than a pole offers. Are there nearby trees you could pull over and tie off around you? The height is not as critical as the cover but above all, the wind rules. If the wind is wrong, stay out. If it's an elevated railroad bed you can get some squirrely winds around it.