just how high are you?
 

fairly new to using a climber for deer. (a sumit).also, kinda got a thing with heights,but always afraid of being busted.how high do you all set up your climbers? lightfoot in indiana

RE: just how high are you?
 

I shoot for at least 20' but it really depends on the tree and amount of cover I have around me.

Dan

RE: just how high are you?
 

When I first started with mine, I was getting sick at about 12', but now, 30' is not out of the question. I hunt aound 22'-25' With practice, you will become comfortable. I am WAY more comfortable, from a height sense, in my climber than even in a ladder stand.

RE: just how high are you?
 

usually around 20"

RE: just how high are you?
 

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.

RE: just how high are you?
 

I like to be around 25' or so. However, I believe I only have to go as high as I need to be hidden. There have been times when I have hunted and killed as low at 12-14' and other times I have been as high as 30-35'.

I also have a thing about heights. I amnot really scared of being up there, I am scared of hitting the ground when I fall. However, I feel safer in my climber than I do any other stand andI have no problems going as high as needed in a climber. I believe once you getuse to climbing in yours, you will start to feel the same way. Take some time this summer to practice climbing with your climber. Go out at night and practice attaching it to the tree in the dark. It will helponce season gets here.

RE: just how high are you?
 

The pull rope on my climber is 20' long...normally I try to go up until the rope is pulled taught; however, if the best cover is lower that is good enough...better to have cover than be 30' up in the open.

Also, the higher you go up the more you have to be careful with the shot angle. I really prefer to be around 20'.

RE: just how high are you?
 

Like others have said....20-25' is about normal for me. Sometimes the tree itself or the cover won't allow that much. It varies from situation to situation...you'll quickly figure out your comfort level.


Wear a safety harness!

RE: just how high are you?
 

Make sure you attach your safety belt to the tree before you start to climb, this helps with the fear of falling...

With a bow, somewhere between 18-22 feet is where I like to hunt...Once you get much higher the target area on a deer is smaller, so I try to keep it in that range...

With a gun sometimes I'll go 30 feet, but I have also killed deer as low as 12-15 feet...

Once many years ago, I went up 20 feet or so and couldn't see because of all the holly trees in the area...I kept backing down until I could see 30-40 yards...The bottom of my stand was about 8 feet off the ground and I killed a deer...:D

RE: just how high are you?
 

The theme of cover here is the exact reason I switched away from climbers. In my neck of the woods, NJ, it seems the trees with the most ideal cover change girth real quick making climbing nearly impossible. So it's a portable setup for me, and trees that split in the middle into two or more majortrunks are also not a problem.

But back to the theme so I don't highjack the thread...coverage and wind are both more important than your actual height,IMHO.

RE: just how high are you?
 

25' for me

RE: just how high are you?
 

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.

RE: just how high are you?
 

I don't know why, but unlike several posters here, I feel more comfortable in a hang on at any height. As far as set height goes, between 15 - 20 ft is ideal in most places I hunt.

RE: just how high are you?
 

I all boils down to your personal preference and the cover around you. I personally dont go higher than 20'. I know you can get away with 12-15' though. If you are going to go in the 12-15' range, make sure you have good cover behind you to break up your outline and when it comes time to draw, move slowly. And last but not least, and I know this is easier said than done, but trust your safety strap!!!! The peace of mind knowing that if something were to happen, your safety strap will prevent you from falling to the ground. And good to see another Hoosier on here, Im from Indianapolis as well.

RE: just how high are you?
 

I go 20 to 25 up . that seems to work best for me in my terain

RE: just how high are you?
 

Same for me

RE: just how high are you?
 

18-22ft on average ...depending on angle and cover.

RE: just how high are you?
 

I am usually between 15' an 26'.

RE: just how high are you?
 

Thats the great thing about a climber. you can look at the criteria when you get to the tree. you dont have to go for a set height every time.
and like kickin said im not afraid of heights or fallin. its the sudden stop at the bottom that hurts like hell.

RE: just how high are you?
 

I am using a climber for the first time this year as well... My ladder stands are 20' and 17', and I recently hung a hang-on at about 18 feet I would guess. Cover can be just as important, if not more important than how high up you are, in my opinion. I am looking forward to being more mobile and aggressiveat timesthis fall, I can't wait. Good luck to you this season..