I have read the post and will restate if you hunt in over populated areas (residential) and want the big one (they are around) you need to be up 30+. You don't need to be up there if your filling the freezer and hunting smaller deer. If you expect a big one in these areas, you have to be high. The big one will react to the slitest twinge from the smaller deer. This last year that was a mistake of mine. I was only up 28' with 8 others around.

When I talk over populated, it's common to have 6-24 around for most of the whole hunt. I'm talking below, behind and in front. It is the most challenging thing to shoot deer with that many eyeballs around you. Sometimes I wish I had only a spear.

The last time I hunted this year I had 60+ that came by me from 4pm to 6pm. Half of them were bucks. Six were good 8's going about 130 range. I didn't see any of the huge ones that night. This was not the norm for the area. The norm is around 20-30. I knew this was going to happen however, because the state park had just complete their yearly drive. If any of you that have been on a drive, you know most just slip away from the preasure.

Next time your planning your hunt don't over look your own neighborhood and make sure you get high enough to get the one your after.

I like to be around 20 feet. I started at 16, but found out pretty fast that being higher would be a little more to my advantage. I think the highest I hunted this year was around 25 feet. I don't know where the heck Fieldmouse hunts, but I don't even think I saw 60 deer total this year while hunting. I would love to be able to see 6-24 deer a night. The most I had on top of me this year at one time was 3 and they were all does....I wish I would have seen at least 1 buck all year in the 130 range. I think the biggest may have been around a 90-100 class 8. I'll make sure I'm getting my out of state license where Fieldmouse is!!!!

WisHunt, I also use an ascender, harness and caribiner with quality climbers rope on all my stands.

I've posted the idea on this board several times and it seems very very few are interested. Too bad, but you and I know what a fantastic safety system it is. I have it for all of my fixed-position stands too.

Thanks for the tip. I hope someone else trys it.

like to be about 18 - 20 ft up, can usually find a suitable one in the area where the deer travel. I don't think deer can see or look up that high unless you give them a reason to.

I prefer ground zero to be honest with ya. Not by any means stating that this is the best way (obviously) to harvest deer. But, ever bowhunt and be succesful from a natural ground blind? WOW talk about a rush. Eye to eye on the same playing field!!
I split my time between a few pieces of property. I have to say I get the most enjoyment out of the one particular piece that I always hunt from the ground on. My chances of scoring on a wallhanger are probably not very good there, but I'll do it every so often while giving my main propery a break and there is something about the challenge of having a deer within range of you and not being busted that just drives me!!!
When I'm serious about a deer I've patterned all year and trying to set up on, I'll be up 15 - 20 feet. But those times when I'm playing around and just enjoying hunting?? I'll be on the ground for the thrill.