If 10 yards or more from the stand it doesn't matter, use your range finder, aim for the exit hole, bend at the waist and follow through.

In order to obtain the confidence and increase your changes practice the shot from you stand prior to the season....

Here's another basic example....

Let's say you were 20 yards up in the tree (I know I know) and a deer was 10 yards from the base of the tree.... Because of the way gravity works, you would shoot for 10 yards - even though your technically 20 yards from the animal and that's what an average range finder would read....

If I were 20 yards (60') up in a tree, I would be holding on with both hands...

And during the season.....

I take at least one practice shot out of my stand every time in, usually in an inconspicuous place, where I WON'T expect the deer to approach from. If it's a morning hunt, I usually take two, prior to leaving.

Like everybody said, practice. I made a ladder stand to practice from in my backyard. I shoot at 2 different 3-d targets, at different distances, with my hunting equipment and safety harness on. And learn to judge your distance, you don't always get to use a rangefinder. My neighbors think I'm weird, but I'm serious about makingthat one shot count. So practice.

The only distance that has to be considered is from the base of the tree to the deer . However it is important to bend at the waist so you don't drop your bow arm or that will throw off your shot . In a downward broadside shot , you might want to aim a bit higher so you hit the top of one lung and take out the far lung . Think about where you want the arrow to exit .........

it should shot a bit higher (if the ground is level) but again you have to look if there is a downward slopin the directionyou are shooting this willdecress the yardage. ex..if you range a deer at 22 yards(line of sight) butif he is at thebase of the slopethe TBRisacutually less.

Set the bow in from the tree stand and go hunting dude, don't over think it. I always set my bow in from the tree at least 18 ft up or higher and I have killed many deer this way.

What does bending at the waist do? Ive seen that in other posts but ive never seen it explained. What happens when you bend at your knees?