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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: graybarkhunter on October 19, 2010, 06:49:00 PM

Title: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: graybarkhunter on October 19, 2010, 06:49:00 PM
does anybody have a problem with hitting a little high on occasion when shooting from elevated position? am i not bending at the waist enough or what?  what do ya'll usually aim at (where) when a deer walks up broadside?> i know u aim at the vitals but where are ya'll looking to hit there, the vitals  haha ? i dont mean to sound like a dumba%% but just need some input ...   thanks   grayhunter
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: frassettor on October 19, 2010, 06:52:00 PM
I hear ya. I missed high 3 times last year. I finally connected. It will come toghter. When I miss, its ALWAYS high! As a matter of fact, I did it AGAIN 4 weeks ago! Its always about 2 inches over the back. I really think its concentration. I always take a practice arrow out and shoot it when I get in the stand. It helps me.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: wv lungbuster on October 19, 2010, 06:53:00 PM
I aim about 1/4 of the way up from the chest.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: stickhead on October 19, 2010, 06:59:00 PM
Set you a  $60 ladder stand in your yard and practice.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: J.Yates on October 19, 2010, 07:35:00 PM
Most shooter shoot high when shooting out of a tree stand compared to shooting on flat ground.Practice from a tree stand will solve the problem.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: tukudu on October 19, 2010, 07:38:00 PM
Don't let the stand freak you out. Bend over at the waist,( a good solid bend) pick a spot and keep your head down and follow through. It will all come together.tm
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: danseitz on October 19, 2010, 07:44:00 PM
First of all I hunt public land in Pennsylvania so it's been a couple years since I've seen deer during the archery season and even longer since I actually got a shot.

That aside, the closer the deer is to your tree the higher you shoot.  It is tough to bend low enough to try to remedy this.  If you can keep your treestand out of the ionisphere and fairly low, that does a lot to correct high shooting.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: graybarkhunter on October 19, 2010, 08:43:00 PM
dont have a tree in my backyard but have got a ladder and have been shooting off my roof for several days.. yates made good point about stand height.. hunted at a buddy of mines place this weekend and he's a wheelie hunter and has lock on stands 25ft plus.. the only blood i drew was coming out of my nose! think ill climb,or get a lean-to ladder and stay alittle lower. thanks.. ill let ya'll know sunday what i stick
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: YORNOC on October 19, 2010, 08:45:00 PM
Shooters paradox! Anytime shooting up or downhill, bow or gun, there is a different angle of trajectory. Books are written on it. Every bow setup is different, so what one guy does means nothing to the next. In my secondary vision for example, from the ground my arrow is somewhere around the knee height on the deer. At an angle from a stand, it is down near the hoof. SECONDARY, I don't see it clearly but I do notice it. My friends are closer to point on off the ground, and on the belly line from a stand. You have to practice it!!!!! I shoot from my roof. Angled shots you have to consider how your arrow is passing through. If you hit low from the ground, it can be a heart shot, from a high angle you miss everything if you hit low. Lots of books, videos etc. on it. Worth the read!
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: Rick Wiltshire on October 19, 2010, 09:50:00 PM
For ME - 10 yards and in I aim for the very bottom of the chest cavity; 15 yds - 1/4 up the chest cavity; 20 yds - I aim for the middle of the chest
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: TxAg on October 19, 2010, 10:26:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by frassettor:
I hear ya. I missed high 3 times last year. I finally connected. It will come toghter. When I miss, its ALWAYS high! As a matter of fact, I did it AGAIN 4 weeks ago! Its always about 2 inches over the back. I really think its concentration. I always take a practice arrow out and shoot it when I get in the stand. It helps me.
x2   happened to me twice this year.  not concentrating enough on form and one spot
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: Walt Francis on October 19, 2010, 10:36:00 PM
To paraphrase Charlie Lamb: "Cant your bow and it will take care of it's self".

If you ever watched Bruners old video on instinctive shooting, he expressed the same sentiments.

I can't tell you why it works, but it sure does for me.  One thing, always maintain your form when canting the bow.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: 30coupe on October 19, 2010, 10:48:00 PM
I agree with Walt. The closer in the shot is (actually even from the ground) the more I cant the bow. I've never taken a shot from inside 10 yards from a tree stand though. About 14 yards was my closest. If I can't see that triangular pocket about where there armpit would be, I don't shoot. I'll leave the super close shots to the tv guys who spine them then brag about what a good shot it was.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: Joshua Grimshaw on October 19, 2010, 10:53:00 PM
I practice off the roof of my House. It really helps.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: TroutGuide on October 19, 2010, 11:02:00 PM
I was forced to shoot from a canted position(which I have practiced) on my first trad kill this last weekend and drilled the doe from 12 feet up at 6 steps, a steep shot. I did not think of it at the time but I was forced to shoot from that position as she tinsed at 3/4 draw and that was all I could do,  Perfect double lung with an arrow through the off side shoulder muscle.  50yd walk as I could see the blood trail from my stand.  I never thought about the angle though.  I have practiced near verticle shots with the wheel bow but never heard of canting making any difference.  It seemed to with my recurve.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: Mojostick on October 19, 2010, 11:03:00 PM
Problem solved. Take down treestands, sell or give away to friends, start hunting from the ground and don't look back.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: WPAtrapper on October 19, 2010, 11:14:00 PM
I had my first chance at a doe with trad gear tonight and guess what? I shot right over it's back at 10yds......TWICE!!  :knothead:  .
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: Austin on October 19, 2010, 11:20:00 PM
Typically I shoot split when hunting, but i'll switch to 3 under in a stand. Where I anchor this usually,remedies the problem for me.  Anyone else do this?
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: ishiwannabe on October 20, 2010, 07:35:00 AM
Practice from an elevated shooting platform. Stand, deck, etc. Bend at the waist. Be sure to burn a hole in them when you pick a spot. Whenever I fail to do either of these I missed high.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: Earl E. Nov...mber on October 20, 2010, 07:46:00 AM
Aside from the obvious practise and form issues. Aim for the off side elbow on a 1/4 away shot..
Broad side shot, shoot for the triangle.
If you think of where you want your arrow to exit, the entrance will take care of it's self.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: maineac on October 20, 2010, 08:01:00 AM
My usual practice routine is 4 arrows from about 16ft up an extension ladder, at targets at various distance.  Then climb down and shoot at a buck target that is 35 yards from the tree.  I find I tend to shoot better from the tree and low from the ground. Which if I sot perfect from the ground would make me high from the stand.  It is the geometry of the angle.  Practice practice practice.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: Kip on October 20, 2010, 08:19:00 AM
Sometimes shooting high ground or tree is not picking a spot.Our brain will automatically focus on the horizontal line of the back (b/c of the contrast)and send the arrow there.Right over or spine hit.My .02 Kip
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: lpcjon2 on October 20, 2010, 08:24:00 AM
To be honest. I have never noticed a difference(even with the wheels) nor do I aim low when I am 20ft up or more.Maybe it's just me.But friends of mine do have these issues.Maybe because I always practice from my stand in the yard.But when I am on the ground I shoot the same.   :dunno:
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on October 20, 2010, 08:25:00 AM
All you can do is practice. I shoot a few arrows before I climb down every morning.

Remember this...Nobody misses LOW from a treestand.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: Pat B on October 20, 2010, 08:37:00 AM
Have you just noticed that you have troubles shooting from a tree stand?  This should have been discovered and taken care of long before hunting season. If you know you can't shoot from a tree stand please don't hunt from a tree stand.
 In many cases, if the archer is shooting over the aminals back and he shoots instinctively, he is not picking a spot and 99% of the time the arrow will fly over the target.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: hitman on October 20, 2010, 08:50:00 AM
Also remember when bending from the waist keep your back elbow up forming a straight line in relation with your shoulders and bow arm.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: joebuck on October 20, 2010, 08:51:00 AM
Your arrow simply went where it was pointing!  :knothead:  shoot your bow like a shotgun and it will take care of itself
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: Wolfie2nd on October 20, 2010, 09:25:00 AM
What I do is pick a spot on the under side of the deer and I haven't shot high or over the back in the past few years. When I miss I miss big doing something stupid like dropping my arm or snap shooting. Lol. hope that helps ya some
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: R. W. Mackey on October 20, 2010, 10:11:00 AM
You might try drawing your bow level, then bend at the waist until you are on target. As Hitman said, everything needs to be inline. The deer here in Texas are really wired, you cannot shoot too low. At times I have had to actually aim around their knees to hit one.  Alot of people that think they shot high, really didn't, the deer just ducked your arrow.  Even on the bigger Kansas deer I hunt I always aim very low.  R.W.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: mambashooter on October 20, 2010, 10:16:00 AM
Why do traditional hunters hunt from a tree stand anyway?
Get on the ground..puts you on  a level playing field with the animal you are hunting.Thats just my way of looking at traditional hunting.  :archer:
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: calgarychef on October 20, 2010, 10:48:00 AM
All this good advise....  Shoot for the bottom 1/4 of the chest then aim a little lower if they are far enough to duck the arrow.

The reason you hit high by the way is the shot looks farther than it is.  You want to shoot for the horizontal distance from bottom of the tree to the target-not the straight line distance from treestand to target.  The straightline distance if farther, hence you shoot higher than necessary.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: Wolfie2nd on October 20, 2010, 10:49:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by mambashooter:
Why do traditional hunters hunt from a tree stand anyway?
Get on the ground..puts you on  a level playing field with the animal you are hunting.Thats just my way of looking at traditional hunting.   :archer:  
Hunting on the ground is a though  business its not for everyone.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: Wolfie2nd on October 20, 2010, 11:04:00 AM
at 20 yards that deer  has no chance of ducking a arrow coming from my widow. You have got to be shooting some inferior shi! moving at molasses speeds for a deer to duck your arrow. Unless your making a 30 or 40 yard shot which not many of us do. Hey that's my opinion though
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: WPAtrapper on October 20, 2010, 12:47:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Wolfie2nd:
at 20 yards that deer  has no chance of ducking a arrow coming from my widow. You have got to be shooting some inferior shi! moving at molasses speeds for a deer to duck your arrow. Unless your making a 30 or 40 yard shot which not many of us do. Hey that's my opinion though
I've seen deer duck arrows from 300fps+ wheelie bows at 20yds.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: Wolfie2nd on October 20, 2010, 12:57:00 PM
Little sarcasm,
I haven't seen it in my 15 years with a stick bow. 15-20 yard max for me though
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: Wolfie2nd on October 20, 2010, 12:58:00 PM
Little sarcasm,
I haven't seen it in my 15 years with a stick bow. 15-20 yard max for me though
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: LoweBow on October 20, 2010, 01:24:00 PM
I have this thing about focusing on the heart....as 99.9% of my misses in my bowhunting career have been high and I've never wounded a deer by shooting low.
Early on I used to focus on the middle of the chest and had my share of over the top or backstrap hits...
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: reddogge on October 20, 2010, 02:23:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by mambashooter:
Why do traditional hunters hunt from a tree stand anyway?
 :archer:  
That's the way I did it in the mid 60s and it was tradional enough for me and my friends.   I'll shoot them anyway that is legal and gives me the best advantage over them for that location.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: getstonedprimitivebowhunt on October 20, 2010, 03:42:00 PM
+... I always first look at angle of shot.. I do a pretend shot in my mind. Closer the deer to stand you need to shot higher through chest anyway for the right angle through vitals. If you can ever get one of the bowhunter safety course 3-d deer models it will show you a bunch for shot angle.. JUST PARCTICE TOO
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: lpcjon2 on October 20, 2010, 04:14:00 PM
Don't think just Shoot!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: Wolfie2nd on October 20, 2010, 05:29:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by lpcjon2:
Don't think just Shoot!!!!!!!!!
No offence but that's bad advice. When you don't think and make a bad shot it makes us as hunters look bad
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: mahantango on October 20, 2010, 05:50:00 PM
I think it's the perception that the deer is farther away than it actually is that causes folks to aim high. The higher you are, the more pronounced the effect. Remember, gravity only acts on your arrow over the horizontal distance, so your actual range is from the base of your tree to your target, regardless of elevation.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: lpcjon2 on October 20, 2010, 05:54:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Wolfie2nd:
 
QuoteOriginally posted by lpcjon2:
Don't think just Shoot!!!!!!!!!
No offence but that's bad advice. When you don't think and make a bad shot it makes us as hunters look bad [/b]
If you over think it, you will not hit it! Find the spot and shoot!its not bad advice,if you have confidence in the way you shoot and your own abilities.If you constantly are thinking about shooting over the deer then chances are you will. It's all in the mind set,have confidence in you and your set up!  :thumbsup:  And I never take offense to anything Life is to short for that   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: Wolfie2nd on October 20, 2010, 07:25:00 PM
Sorry I miss understood you
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: Cane Knife on October 20, 2010, 07:30:00 PM
I aim at the armpit on pigs.  That usu. works from 10 to 20 yds. for the higher arrow hit from a stand.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: lpcjon2 on October 20, 2010, 07:33:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Wolfie2nd:
Sorry I miss understood you
No worries I should have explained it better.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: rraming on October 20, 2010, 09:11:00 PM
I always take a shot from my stand as soon as possible, bring a practice arrow and let one fly. The only time I'd be way off is if I had a deep drop off next to stand causing my elevation to be extreme, I don't usually set up on those locations any more for that reason.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: acadian archer on October 20, 2010, 09:39:00 PM
draw horizontally  to anvhor , hold , bend to point and let her rip
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: S.C. Hunter on October 20, 2010, 11:37:00 PM
I cant the bow to virtually horizontal. I actually shoot well from on high. when I miss at ground level it is almost always high.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: on October 21, 2010, 01:44:00 AM
This reminds me, I forgot to pick up my practice arrows that I shot from my tree stand last night.  Oh yes, just roll the bow over bend with the shot, it should be no more difficult than shooting from the ground that way.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: Hookeye on October 21, 2010, 01:59:00 AM
Shooting high could be......

Misjudging the distance (no forshortening effect as when shooting from the ground- you "see more" so you think more distance).

Deer get thinner in view, as you get above them. Lots of people think external only too.
Aiming points relative to general body shape/size from horizontal-like "halfway up" will shift you considerably when you are elevated and shooting at the halfway mark from your new view. Aim for the baseball inside the animal and shift aiming point to nail it.

Not bending at the waist-screws up followthrough, changes finger pressures.

And.........deer can move.


Probably one of the causes listed.

I shoot the same from ground or elevated, pins and wheels or instinctive, if I judge the distance correctly.

Lots of bad info out there, but to simplify......just shoot it for the horizontal leg of your triangle.

Doesn't matter uphill or downhill. Gravity only affects you over your horizontal component.

For a detailed explanation of line of sight and line of departure, true drop, and how gravity is working.........a Lyman reloading manual should have a pic worth a thousand words (but read the few they give as it helps explain the diagram).

Cheers.
Title: Re: HUGE PROBLEM-shooting from tree stand????
Post by: Jack Whitmire Jr on October 21, 2010, 05:43:00 AM
Los of good advice above , but above all keep a hair picked out and never take your eye off it and cant your bow when the deer are close.

Now you have the optical part to deal with , try this little experment .

1) Take a 3d target and put it 10 yards from a tree stand 15-20 feet up a tree .

2) Put a orange sticker the size of a quarter half way up the deer  in the middle of the kill zone.

4) climb the tree with safety belt on

5) HA you can't even see the orange dot can you   :)  

6) now do you see why you shoot high ?

7) You think you are shooting at the heart  but are actually shooting at half way up the deer !


CURE IT ALL BY PICKING  WHERE YOU WANT THE ARROW TO EXIT!

I read about this 25 years ago by Smiling Chuck Adams - yes it was good advice .