I’m telling you because my wife doesn’t care!
 

I worked on my new stand today. Practiced shooting from a gorilla tree stand with my goal of grouping my arrows at 40 yards. I practice so I will be prepared on opening day and the new stand will have no surprises: deflecting branches, sway of the tree at 30ft, knowing my draw limits caused by the tree trunk. I AM NOT READY FOR A 40-YARD SHOT YET. But I will practice until I am.

This is my tree stand from my 20-yard mark

RE: I’m telling you because my wife doesn’t care!
 

This is the view from my tree stand.

RE: I’m telling you because my wife doesn’t care!
 

That's a great view. Should be able to see em comin. Is that a little water hole out there also?

RE: I’m telling you because my wife doesn’t care!
 

Yep, nice clean water. I also have corn fields on the left, front and right. My approach to the stand is from the back (into the wind). It's a perfect spot to take a nap!!

RE: I’m telling you because my wife doesn’t care!
 

Looks like a pretty nice setup, good luck this year.

RE: I’m telling you because my wife doesn’t care!
 

Your stand looks well covered and should conceal you well. Nice location. Have you thought about putting a stand in those chestnut trees also?

RE: I’m telling you because my wife doesn’t care!
 

Great pics!! Now how many times will you practice from that stand? Worried about spooking the deer at all?

RE: I’m telling you because my wife doesn’t care!
 

I just dont see the point in going that high, I will stick to the thoughts of Deer & Deer Hunting on this one..30 feet can just be too high at times.

RE: I’m telling you because my wife doesn’t care!
 

There isn't a good tree for a stand around the chestnut trees. I would have to do some major cutting to make a space for a stand and I'm not willing to do that. I have a stand 40 yards back and to the left of the chestnut on a trail.

RE: I’m telling you because my wife doesn’t care!
 

I agree, and I took a doe with my bow from a ground blind right under the stand. But I didn't like not seeing anything while on the ground. I could only see 20 yards at the most. the 30 yards get me over the apple trees to the right, and the hedge row made of young maple infront of me.
Taking a deer is secondary to observing what is going on around me.

RE: I’m telling you because my wife doesn’t care!
 

Until I can group at 40yards, or end of August, which ever comes first. I hit a deer last year from a different location and searched for it for 2 days. I blame it on not practicing the hunting shot. grouping arrows from the ground at 60yards doesn't translate to shoting from a swaying tree, standing on a small platform with a tree trunk bumping your arm.
I'd rather spook them rather than not make a kill shot.

RE: I’m telling you because my wife doesn’t care!
 

nice set up

RE: I’m telling you because my wife doesn’t care!
 

Nice lookin set up. Good luck.

RE: I’m telling you because my wife doesn’t care!
 

WOW! I took a 30ft fall out of a stand once i will stick to 12 to 15ft good luck

RE: I’m telling you because my wife doesn’t care!
 

Can't judge your wife for not caring unless you post a picture of her!:D

RE: I’m telling you because my wife doesn’t care!
 

So your just useing that stand to practice your shooting . But you said you don't care if you spook deer there just as long as you can make the shoot at 40 yards .Don't mean to sound rude but it seem to me your wasting a good spot to hunt.

RE: I’m telling you because my wife doesn’t care!
 

I don’t think you are rude.
I’m hunting from that stand, and I’m practicing from that spot. I visit the area every other week to check my trail cams and check the property. I have to go to the property because it belongs to family that lives 1000 miles away, and I make sure there are no problems with the buildings.

As for spooking the deer; I don’t think I will have a measurable effect because active farms surround the property, and there is more consistent activity on the surrounding farms. Also I will stop practicing at the end of August (or sooner), as the Chestnuts, Acorns, and Apples begin to fall to the ground.