When you place your stand, be it a climber, loc-on, ladder, etc., do you like to face toward where you expect the deer to come from or face away? It seems to me by facing away you can use the tree for cover and shoot as the deer walks past. On the other hand, is it better to see them coming? I'm curious as to your thoughts.
I think more about back cover, and the direction of the sun, i.e. will the afternoon sun be shining right on you lighting you and your bright fletchings up? I prefer to not be facing directly away from where you anticipate the shot, because my neck gets sore constantly twisting around to check it, and makes for a more difficult shot. I try to gauge their direction of travel, and set the stand off the trail so that I'm not in their direct line of sight as they come in, and of course the wind direction. I'm in my Lone Wolf climber 95% of the time and I have a few trees that if I'm sitting all day I'll actually rotate the stand around the tree as the sun moves. I also have one great funnel that only has one good tree, and on that one I do have to sit on the backside of the tree because there's no good backcover. Good luck.
If you sit facing the way they come from, it could help you avoid being spotted because if you see them before they see you, you can avoid moving and being seen and can be more prepared for the shot. But, if you sit facing away from the direction they come, the tree trunk will help hide your body and movements. There are reasons to do both, depends on situation. What else is in the area such as feeding trees, creeks to cross, blowdowns, wind direction etc. There is no perfect answer, every set up will be different.
My all time favorite stand was in a fir tree! There was all kinds of cover, and no sun. Otherwise, I would prefer sitting sideways to the approach at about 45 to 60 degrees, everything else being okay.
I have a go to stand that is behind the tree because that's the only way I can work it. I spend most of my time standing facing the tree.
I prefer to be on the outside of a bend(like us they tend to look into the bend rather than to the outside) on a deer trail,as long as the wind is in my favor. And place the stand so my best shot will be them comming from my left(right handed),I can get a better view of them comming and going either way it gives me an advantage. And have back cover (limbs) on the tree and don't clear to much of the front cover when clearing shooting lanes.
I face my stand towards where I expect to take the shot. It is usually beside where I expect the deer to pass, off 10 or 15 yards from the trail(s). Last thing I want is a deer walking straight at me - that offers no shot.
I also prefer trees that have limbs around me. Can be awkward with a 62" bow but I feel it gives me better cover.
Back cover, wind direction, sunrise/set orientation(i like to keep the sun @ my back), anticipated approach direction of the animal, shooting lanes. These factors determine which side of the tree I'll setup on.
I always try to put lock on stands in a big fork in the tree or if climbing use a tree w another tree within a few feet of me. This takes some stand adjustment so you can still shoot paying particular attention to my drawing arms elbow to make sure there is clearance to come to full draw. Cover of some sort is a must- I often cut a leafy section or two on my walk into the stand and add a little fresh foliage in the early season when leaves are still green.
TIM B
I like back cover and usually position to shoot a bit to my left side(I'm right handed). I also like whatever is funneling them down behind me when possible.
Rob