I was out yesterday for about 9 hours in my stand (5:15am-10am & 4:15pm-8:15pm). I stood for all but about 15min and I held my bow for about 80% of the time I stood. After talking to one of my buddies who I hunt with, he converted me from a stand "sitter" to a stand "stander". I now believe that there are many benefits to this:
1.Lower profile in the tree - Blending in with the tree better
2. Less likely to move around when standing...one hand holding my bow and the other in my pocket -- When in the seated position, I think that your more likely to move your arms around and shift your feet...making movements that deer pick up on -- I always seem to see more deer when I stand than when I sit.
3. Less movement is necessary to get the shot off -- just draw and release.

It definitely takes more effort but I think it is worth it.
Your thoughts???

&quot;Measure twice, shoot once <img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle> &quot;

My hunting buddy and I have been practicing this exact method as long as I can remember. The idea is to always be ready because you never know when or were that old big buck will walk in from. Usually it is from an unaticipated direction and the least amount of movement to get the shot off the better. I can't believe the TV guys that sit there with their bow hung up on their commercial bow hanger and standup and reach out to pick up their bow without ever getting busted. It seems like almost every time I relasx a bit something shows up and then its a real nerve racker to get into a good shooting position without spooking the deer.

A little of both I always stand the first couple of hours with my bow hung just at my hand. In the evening I stand about the last hour I have been busted getting up but only once.

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After being caught with my pants down so to speak, I only sit down to rest. I think you are better off standing, with your bow in your hand, than you are sitting.

I sit almost the entire time. I may stand the last half hour if there seems to be a lot of movement. If I stand to for too long my back kills me. Getting up to a standing shot position hasn't been a problem so far.

Some things are true whether you believe them or not.

I need to agree with you all its only when I need to sit down do I, legs or back give out. But ill tell you this ive had deer walk to me while sitting on the ground and as they just get past me I stand up and the deer stand there in amazement.

i think that this stand &quot;stander&quot; idea is pretty good. Never quite thought of it like that before. It's something I'll have to try on opening day (October 15). Yeah it's quite a ways away but that'll give me time to practice my stand &quot;standing&quot; techniques hahaha. However i'll try and we'll see what happens.

Knuckles up&gt;&gt;&gt; Brian

Im a sitter,spent alot of money for my COMFORTABLE climber.I shoot as good sittin as standing, I only get up if I hear one comin

I agree that standing is my preference b/c I find my form is better when shooting from standing rather than sitting. But my buddy talked me into practicing my shooting form from the sitting position. Not so as to always shoot from the sitting.........but in case a shot is offered while sitting and to stand would spook.

I split my time between standing 75% of the time and sitting 25% of the time (approximately). During the magic twilight hours of dawn and dusk (you know, those 25 - 35 minutes of partial light when everything seems to stand still and move at the same time) I will always stand.
There are 2 advantages to sitting though. #1 is it gives you a chance to relax your muscles so as to be more relaxed when the time for the adrenaline rush comes. #2 You can sometimes gain a new perspective, ya' know.. a different angle of view. Every time you move you risk being spotted, but I have been able to view a deer's head when sitting when otherwise all I could see was legs when standing. Soeetimes I prefer to have the deer's head obscured so they can't see me either, but at other times I need to evaluate the deer for shot decision.
All in all, though, I prefer to be standing most of the time, especially when the shot presents itself.