Imagine you have found a natural spring that the game are using as a mineral lick and for drinking. The spring has 7 or 8 trails coming to it all heavily used from all points of the compass and the bush is very thick. The only way you can get a shot on more than one trail is to put the stand right above the lick.
I would put it back from the lick to get the shot at the lick that way you are covering more than one trail. Just pick whatever way the wind is in your favor.
Any chance of using a trail cam to see which route the bucks are taking? Or which trail is used most often, and when?
If it was me, I'd put the stand away from the lick to cover one well used trail hoping it's the main trail the deer are using to get to and from the lick.
Putting a stand right over a lick is bad news where I hunt. Any type of movement a deer notices or hears a sound, the deer look up and if they look up and see me, they win because even if I could get a shot off, the deer will dodge the arrow.
I think I would leave the stand in my garage and set myself on a stool and play it day by day depending on the wind drift and conditions.
I voted near the lick because of more trails. This said, what it the prevailing wind would be my first question. My second is as above stated, can you scout the area with a camera or 2. My third is it possible to come in and out of the area quietly with a climber and try both.
These kind of questions are what make hunting so much fun!
A trail camera is on my Christmas list for sure. We built the trail into the lick and put the stand to be downwind of the prevailing wind and were able to cover 3 trails but so far no bulls have commited to come in close enough for a shot. I asked the question because several bulls have come within 50 yards before turning off but never on the same trail. Definately fun and very exciting!! Bob