While hunting elk from my tree stand a week ago I was pondering standing to shoot vs. sitting to shoot. Obviously, certain situations and shots require you stand but, given the choice, which do you prefer and why?
Both, Sometimes there is to many deer to stand, Other times I will see them coming and stand up.
I'm about 50/50 on this and like them both.
I prefer standing for the shot and here's why... if you are sitting and the animal suddenly goes somewhere you can't shoot to while sitting you are toast. If you are standing you at least have a chance of readjusting.
Plus most of us do a lot of our practice from standing. It just makes sense.
I prefer a standing shot for the reasons that Charlie mentioned.
C
I like to stand. I fold the seat up and get right up close to the tree.
I practice equally both ways, so whichever way offers me the best shot I take it.
I stayed sitting for many years, I thought I could sit longer with less movement and had alot of success with my shots. Now I like to stand and be as close to the tree as possible. I really like my 'sneaky sak' stand.
Both, whatever is needed at the time is what I opt for.
I shoot both ways( that didn't sound good),and due to terrain and the tree I may set the stand lower so when I stand I am at my desired height for the shooting hole in my front cover. And if it is an area that I plan to hunt that cover makes me go higher with the stand I will position it so when sitting (me being right handed) I have plenty of bow room on my left,and the set up accommodates the deer entering on my left. I can easily shoot from the sitting position with little movement and ease. Its trial and error,You should practice getting up from the sitting position at home in a tree low to the ground,balance is needed to do it quit.
Just a tip I am tall and I add 2-4 inches of firm foam to my seat of the stand for height so my knees are not bent at a 90 degree angle and it makes standing much easier.
Charlie I practice both ways. . sitting and standing, but you are exactly right on.
I like to alternate, sit and stand, during the day, but for the last hour I prefer to stand for that very reason.
Also, it is much easier for me to bend at the waist while shooting if I am standing as opposed to sitting. That is an important component of shooting from above.
ChuckC
QuoteOriginally posted by lpcjon2:
..... Just a tip I am tall and I add 2-4 inches of firm foam to my seat of the stand for height so my knees are not bent at a 90 degree angle and it makes standing much easier.
Had to do the same thing. The whole lean way forward-then stand thing seemed ridiculous.
Standing.
Usually like standing but a couple of spots I have sitting is easier.
Much prefer standing; but, sometimes you can't. Never take my treestands over 15' up. Too much angle.
Standing for the reasons Charlie mentioned, plus I'm always paranoid part of my bow will smack part of the stand or I will end up to contorted to make a good shot if sitting.
Standing is prefered for menueverability. Sitting is needed in certain situations. I am tall so I kick one leg out and to the side and bend the other leg back behind it. This gives me a comfortable cant to make the shot.
I stand in my treestands probably 90% of the time anyways so stand while shooting.
Standing for me. I like the shot much better from standing. Sitting is a much more difficult shot in my opinion. You have a better profile against the tree when standing.
I always stand to shoot because that is how I practice.
I always hope to spot the deer before they spot me and have the time to stand. Agree that sitting keeps you quiet and still, but prefer to stand when shooting because that is how I practice most of the time.
Thanks All. I'm going to give the adding height to the seat thing a go. That sounds like a good idea. I'm partial to standing as well but its interesting to see everyones preferences and the rationale for them.
While I would prefer standing to shoot I have had some physical problems that have "forced" me to set up my stands for what I expect to be a sitting shot. I have degenerative disc disease in my lower back. For several years the pain in my left leg would not allow me to stand for very long. I did the PT thing and got that pretty well under control then had meniscus surgery on the left knee. Now that I can stand for longer periods I have been caught sitting and then found out that when I sit for a while and go to stand that left knee goes "crack"...and it is loud. So I stand when I can but I try to set my stands for that sitting shot because if they come in quietly and they get to within 40 yards and I try to stand it's game over...I'm busted!
of course, you can always place your stand so that you can shoot (while sitting) at the location you expect the deer to pass, much easier in the thick marsh where I hunt, and keep the stand in the thick stuff so that you have no other opportunity. That keeps you from worrying about it and keeps the wiley deer from seeing a lot of movement. . . just raise bow, draw, and well, tell us !
ChuckC
I stand also, never hunted out of a blind, so not sure what I would have to do there.
I try not to sit at all. I feel more confident standing.
I hunt from a ground blind and shoot sitting, usually deer are in close when I see them so if I stand I mostly get busted. Hogs are not as tall and with bad eyesight I usually stand to be able to shoot down in the cover.
Standing, but practice both. You never know when a deer is going to come in and you just can't stand up or you'll be busted.
I will practice contorted sitting shots for this reason.
Sitting for me. I am already sitting when I first se the deer and don't have all the movement of me trying to get stood up.
Bisch
Both, depending on the situation...I dont take a shot at game from a position I haven't practiced though...
I am with Charlie and the others who like to stand for more mobility and more natural shooting position. I also like the extra bow limb clearance I get. I like to be tight to the tree as much as possible to reduce my outline. I have been busted too may times setting and sticking out form the tree to much. I hunt with stick ladders and hang on stands most of the time so I am only up about 16-18'. I like the shot angle this gives me, but you have to be a little more careful not sticking out of the tree so much.
I find I can lean against a tree with my back flat and feet out a little. I can do that a long time. I set for a few minutes to rest and then get back up. I stand about 80% of the time, but I set my stand so my setting shot is in the best location.
QuoteOriginally posted by Bisch:
Sitting for me. I am already sitting when I first se the deer and don't have all the movement of me trying to get stood up.
Bisch
x2
I prefer standing, less of a profile and it allows me to turn without as much visual movement. Also it allows readjusting angles easier. I always stand the first and last hour and then alternate standing and sitting. Can't say I've ever had a situation where I haven't been able to stand up on a deer but I practice sitting shots just to be sure.