Scbasshunter Posted September 3, 2012 Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 I almost had a deer in range last night but a doe busted me. The only thing I can think is that maybe I wasn't high enough to be out of their sight. I try to get about 15ft up. Any tips to help me finally get my first deer with a bow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youngbuck06 Posted September 3, 2012 Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 Height for bowhunting deer. I usually set my stands around 15-18 ft. Just make sure you have plenty of cover behind you to break up your silhouette. I try to make sure that i have a good view of all of the deer before i move. Make sure that their heads are down or looking in the other direction. Things aint always as easy as they look on tv! Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maine Hntr Posted September 3, 2012 Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 usually set up 18-20 ft myself, there may be a bunch of different factors why the doe busted you... first off that's deer hunting it will happen and you could have been 30 ft up in the tree and she may have spotted you... It is an exciting sport SC but you need to set your standards a bit lower i think unless i;m just interpreting what you're saying wrong. You can't expect to go out every time and either see something or get something. You can work very hard at this and it may take years. Just go out and enjoy yourself, enjoy your surroundings, enjoy nature and yes try and harvest an animal but get used to the deer winding you, seeing you, hearing you etc. because this most certainly won't be the last time it happens. Good Luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted September 3, 2012 Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 I'm up about 15 feet myself. Just be patient, it will come. Took me 3 years to bag my first deer with a bow. Watch the wind carefully and choose trees that will break up your outline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetailfreak55 Posted September 3, 2012 Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 Make Sure You have plenty of back cover or at least have a tree bigger around then you. Without that you stick out like a sore thumb. Myself 16 to 18 feet. Good luck and keep at it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter Posted September 3, 2012 Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 Just depends on the tree. On average my platforms are around 20 feet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrow32 Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 Just depends on the tree. On average my platforms are around 20 feet. +1 really like 20 but anywhere from 18 to 20 is good for me. Always like good cover as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scbasshunter Posted September 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 How can I have/get cover if I'm hunting in pines? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowhunter97 Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 I think 20 ft is good. But it also depends on your surroundings. Down here you can use a palm behind you to break it up but the palms dont always get 20 ft tall. So you might have adjust a little also be aware of where your shadow is. I was in the stand on saturday and the morning was fine but in the afternoon the sun pushed my ahadow right down a trail and i know that if moved with a deer infront of me they would probably bust ne since my shadow would have been a 10 foot long moving object to them. So be aware of your surroundings. And dont worry about it too muchjust stay still and quiet until they arent looking at you or in your direction and you should be fine. I had a doe and a yearling bust me last year then ended up getting a different doe later in in the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan Givan Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 I like to be 18-22 feet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhine16 Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 Height for bowhunting deer. I've got one as low as 12 but most of my lockons are around 20 ft. I guess I average 20 in a climber. I'll go 30 if needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
535hunter Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 are you in a climber, lock on or a leaner? you could get the camo cloth that hangs around your stand so you can conceal some movement. i have seen them used and am thinking about trying it myself. i know you can buy them but if you go to walmart and get the camo material for a cheaper price than a pre made one. it should help in the pines, at this point its worth a shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scbasshunter Posted September 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 Climber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 (edited) How can I have/get cover if I'm hunting in pines? Do anything you can, I have broken off pine tops and used tie wire to make cover on a stand, even tied them to tree limbs. Last artificial Christmas tree we threw out I took to the camp. I have brushed up some stands with the bigger limbs off of it. Anything to break up your outline. Also, you can kill deer standing on the ground, but I sure like 20-25 feet in the air, really helps to be above their peripheral vision. Edited September 4, 2012 by redkneck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbarcheryhunter Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 I like to b around 20 ft. But where I hunt on the farm in bucks county we can't go higher then about 15 or we r out in the sky. Have fun and good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
535hunter Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 I'm sure you can get the camo burlap and zip tie it on to you climber. I'm going to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 it has a lot to do with cover around you and to breakup your outline. if you have cover behind you, but you've cut off every branch on your entire side of the tree deer will notice it looks different. with a climber i usually climb until i get to the bigger branches i can't break off when setting up the spot before season or mid day before an afternoon hunt. height helps but as long as you're 15+ feet up and the deer aren't coming downhill to you at eye level, you're fine. on one of the monster buck dvds a buck was killed at 30 yards from a treestand only 10 feet up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 Depends on the situation. I moved down an oak with my hang on stand for this year. Had the stand about 24 ft up the past several years and it was too high, was getting busted by deer in the field when I was climbing up the stand, it was too far above the brush line even though there was good background cover, moved it to about 15 feet where I can climb the stick and get in the stand with deer in the field and them not ever spot me. Climber I have gone more than 30 ft to compensate for terrain. Hunted pines before, think most of those stands were more than 20 ft up, did not have trouble with getting busted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scbasshunter Posted September 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2012 If I climb higher than 15ft (say 20ft), how is this going to affect my shot placement? Now I've heard people say that you have to compensate for the angle, and I've heard people say that unless you are rediculously high, it doesn't matter. I don't have a rangfinder, nor do I have the money to buy one. I am pretty good at judging distance and do so with trees when I get up in the stand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted September 5, 2012 Report Share Posted September 5, 2012 Just depends on the tree. On average my platforms are around 20 feet. +2...most of my stands are in the 18' to 22' range...so yep...the average is ~20'. The highest right now is ~25'...the lowest ~15'. Like most I want some cover around my stand and I don't like to hang a stand in a tree too close to the trail(s) the deer use where they are looking directly at your tree as they approach the stand. It's not always possible but I prefer to be at least 15' off to the side of any trails. How can I have/get cover if I'm hunting in pines? You have a couple of options. One is to climb a tree that has other trees with cover next to it. The other is to cut some limbs & hang them in the tree you're hunting. There are several ways to do that. One is, make several loops in a rope long enough to attach limbs and tie the rope around the tree. Use the loops to tie limbs to the rope. Oak tree limbs work pretty good since they tend to hold leaves better. A buddy of mine uses cedar limbs too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Country Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 A lot of good advice about brushing in your stand...and it does work... I have a 20' pull rope tied to my climber...I tie it to the cam in my bow or rear sling stud on my guns, then climb up until the rope is tight...and I am at 20' to the seat (18' to the foot platform or so)... however, if I have better leaf cover from neighboring branches, etc I will opt to sit lower in the leaf cover... Another tip: whenever possible (wind direction allowing of course) sit on the North side of the tree...it is nearly always shaded (at least here in the US...the further North the better)... The first deer always seems to be the hardest too...be patient and enjoy your time afield...when the deer finally hits the ground, the work begins... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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