Like others have said 16-20 is probably about average, but take a look at the situation your putting yourself into. 8-10 feet might be good enough until your confident with the height your at. Good luck and take it slow. In now time you'll feel comfortable and probably won't(most times) ever go back to hunting on the ground.

Try a comfortable climber that has the bar in front of you. It just makes you feel a little bit more secure.

It's kinda weird, but I use to rappell and teach rappelling in the Army. Even with doing that before getting into a climber, initially I wouldn't go over 10 feet. The main thing is, like in rappelling, take care of and trust your equipment and it will take care of you. The climbers that are produced today are way beyond those death traps that were produced 10-15 years ago. Also, a tip; look at the horizon when you are climbing and descending. Good luck!

Davis.
Do your reseacrh on Tree Stands and Look them up on the internet
see if they have had any recalls on the one you like. When you buy one
PRACTICE with it in the off season. Have it all together before you go
hunting.You want to have it all down pat before you go hunting. Remember
ALWAYS wear SAFETY gear!
In some states like Florida you can not use a stand that will hurt the trees.
Check your State laws on tree stands. Be careful on frozen trees also telephone
poles they are extremely smooth. A good tree about 8" in Dia. with bark on it
is a good one to start learning.Practice at 8ft at a time to you get the hang of it going
up and down,but PRACTICE!

If you pay attention to what you're doing and always think safety FIRST,
you have nothing to worry about!

Good Luck and happy hunting.....

I was not a happy camper about hunting from high atop a tree at the beginning when I hunted, but got over it and actually started to enjoy it. then, I took a fall from about 22 feet. a concussion, broken ribs, seperated shoulders, and internal bleeding spooked me for about two good seasons. I had trouble hunting from 15'. Now, four years later, I am pretty much over this fear and can (except for maybe the first few times out each year) climb a tree no problem. let me tell you though...I was scared bad after that fall.

If the climbers don't work for you try a ladder stand. Don't forget to pratice from the stand before you get in the woods.

I would say a ladder stand would be better for someone who has a problem with heights. I do billbaords for a living and been up around 110 feet and let me tell you the more you do it the easier it gets.

Thanks again everyone. Sorry to hear about the fall hoyt3, that must have been tuff! Happy and safe hunting to all.
Davis

To you guys that are afraid of heights, didn't you climb trees as kids. I'm not trying to insult anyone so don't get me wrong here. It's just that when I was a kid, we were always climbing trees and it's probably only by the grace of God that I can't think of anytime someone got hurt. I just thought all kids climbed trees. Now I have to make it a point to remember my harness but I do try and wear one all the time.

Remember, it's also possible to hunt from the ground. Roger Raglin has whole tapes full of him bowhunting from the ground (Close Enough to Kiss). These groundblinds today also make it easier.

I'm scared of heights but I wouldn't recommend my method for overcoming it (flying lessons, rock climbing, sky diving). Funny thing is I can climb (by hand) a tree and not be bothered as much as standing on a man-made structure.