Shooting a Bow From Stand Question
 

Hello, This is my first year hunting with a bow and have a question regarding shooting from a tree stand. I sighted my bow in at 10,20,30, and 40 yards from the ground. If i am up in my tree stand do i have to aim differently if lets say a deer is at 20 yards. Do i put the 20 yard site on the kill zone as if i was on the ground, or do i have change the shot due to being in a stand. Many thanks in advance for the advise.

RE: Shooting a Bow From Stand Question
 

The distances will change a bit but I personally do not aim diffrently. What is most important is your form. Draw your bow and bend at the waist instead of dropping your bow arm down. This will make the biggest diffrence in shooting from a tree. If you drop your bow arm your form will change, anchors have a tendancy to change and the arrow dosn't end up where you want it to.

Hopefuly this will make sence. If not say so and I'll try again;)

RE: Shooting a Bow From Stand Question
 

And where are my manners:eek:

Welcome to the forum!

RE: Shooting a Bow From Stand Question
 

I don't aim any differently either.


Welcome:)

RE: Shooting a Bow From Stand Question
 

It's the horizontal distance that matters. You can neglect height. So if you draw a right angle triangle and are shooting along the Hypotenuse, ignore the verticle leg and calculate distance on the base.

I shoot ranges with my laser range finder to trees on my height level.

RE: Shooting a Bow From Stand Question
 

True, I should have mentioned that I use a laser range finder also, so I know the exact distance.

The distance from your stand is longer than the distance from the base of your tree. Keep that in mind.

RE: Shooting a Bow From Stand Question
 

It all comes down to form. The key, as several people have already said, is maintaining a consistent anchor and release. I would suggest a range finder if you are shooting fixed pins or you may want to look into a pendulum sight if all your shooting will be from a stand. It will also be a big help for you to actually practice from your stand, if at all possible. It is a very different sight picture 20 feet up in the air.

RE: Shooting a Bow From Stand Question
 

I second that. Get up there and shoot from an elevated position. I personally aim the same as if on level ground.

RE: Shooting a Bow From Stand Question
 

Welcome Culpepercowboy.
I don't think you need to worry about the distance but your aim point needs to be slightly different in my opinion. If the critter is 20 yards out and my angle is steep I aim for where I want the arrow to exit. I know this is not a very good description but maybe someone else can explain better.

RE: Shooting a Bow From Stand Question
 

I will start off by saying welcome to the forum!!;)But I`ll third that!;) Its all about form but you need to get up in your stand and practice! before heading off into the woods after game. Hunting out of a treestand can be a lot different than hunting on the ground like getting used to shooting out of a tree stand [&:]

RE: Shooting a Bow From Stand Question
 

Short answer: No, you don't aim any different. If anything, you will pick up 2 or 3 yards of range hunting 15 ft off the ground just due to the force of gravity helping you out. My first pin is set for 25 yards but I will shoot to 28 from a stand and hit what I aim for.

RE: Shooting a Bow From Stand Question
 

Me too, same as from the ground.

RE: Shooting a Bow From Stand Question
 

I went with the Keller pendulum sight,I aim the same at all yds,made my life easier.

RE: Shooting a Bow From Stand Question
 

i dont aim much different either, although my stand is only 15 ft high. . if u have a higher stand it may matter more. . . . how high is ur stand?

RE: Shooting a Bow From Stand Question
 

Form is the most impotant part of shooting. And as Adams said...if shooting from a treestand, always BEND AT THE WAIST. This will keep all your anchor points the same as if you were on the ground. If you drop your bow arm, you will change the arrow trajectory even though the sight picture may look good to you at the time.

KEC

RE: Shooting a Bow From Stand Question
 

Its fine to ask the question hear.......but your nuts if you don't go out and prove it to yourself! Go out and shoot from the same elevation you'll be hunting. Then, when you're in the tree and you get your chance, YOU"LL HAVE 100% CONFIDENCE in your shot!

Good Luck!

RE: Shooting a Bow From Stand Question
 

Hey CulpeperCowboy. Welcome to the forum. I think you'll find that most people here know exactly what they're talking about and I agree that you need to practice shooting from your tree stand and you'll know exactly where to aim when that deer comes by. I think it's different for each individual because I was one of those guys that had to aim low when I was shooting from my stand. I aimed as much as 6 inches low depending on the angle of the shot and the distance and it was probably due to my form but hey, I shoot the way I shoot and that's just me and I was in tune with my bow. Last year I got a new bow and set it up with a No Peep and it helped me correct my form and now I aim where I want the arrow to hit. I took 2 bucks with that bow last season and both were from 18 feet up and at steep angles.

RE: Shooting a Bow From Stand Question
 

i would aim low since the deer will prbably duck

RE: Shooting a Bow From Stand Question
 

Thanks to everyone who gave their thoughts. It is much appreciated! Good luck to everyone!

RE: Shooting a Bow From Stand Question
 

Great point!

RE: Shooting a Bow From Stand Question
 

I don't change my aim point either but shooting from a sitting position directly in front of you or at an angle to the left or right can pose a real challange if you haven't practised.Add all your rigging and the awkward shot and bowhunting takes on a whole new face.Ron

RE: Shooting a Bow From Stand Question
 

I agree with CLOUD9, MN. The only way to be 100% sure is to shoot from your stand height before the season begins. Also, I carry some practice arrows with me on my evening hunts. When I get situated in my stand, I pick a small leaf to shoot at and shoot one or two arrows. This does a couple of things for me. First, it gives me confidence. I don't always set up the same stand height,(it depends on the tree, terrain, etc.) and shooting a couple drowns out any doubts I may have about any shots. Second, it gives me a chance to correct any problems I may have with my stand. For example, how many time have you gone to pull back on a deer, only to have your elbow hit the back of the tree, or have a limb resting on the top of your bow? But I believe the most important thing about shooting from the stand is knowing that your equipment works!!! I remember some practice shots I took from the stand that were nowhere near where I was aiming!!! Turns out that either during transportation or the walk to the stand my sight had come loose(maybe it got caught some brush??) and I was way off!! I don't want to think about what would have happened if the monster buck was standing broadside at fifteen!!!
Anyway, that's my two cents!!

RE: Shooting a Bow From Stand Question
 

The only difference between shooting out of a tree and shooting from the ground is the way you hold your bow. Make sure you bend at the hips and keep your arms in the same position as you do when you practice. If you study physics it doesn't matter the actual distance the arrow flies, just the horizontal distance as to how much it's going to drop. So just bend at the waist and you'll do fine, good luck hunting!