wondering those who hunt from trees with their recurves/longbows, how high do you hunt? what type of stand(ladder/climber/lockon)? does your point of aim change alot?
set my lock on today, platform at 15.5 feet, looks high for a bow.
thanks, david
Here in Oklahoma I hunt mostly from a lock on tree stand . I have a ladder type I hunt some from. These whitetails around here are so wary that its difficult to hunt from the ground. However, the angle makes it tricky to shoot accurate from a stand. I like to stay as low as I can. Your 15.5 feet is about as high as I want to go because of the angle. I prefer about 10feet but you have to have good cover. Late in the season is when I prefer to hunt but the cover is gone from the trees by then. You might consider getting a leafy jacket and maybe pants. It will allow you to stay a little lower.
I have only ever used recurves from treestands and my feet are at 13 to 15 feet off the ground. I use a chain-on and a ladder stand.
It helps me to think of where the arrow should exit and concentrate on that point. I also carry two blunts and shoot one at something after sunrise to make sure my eye stays elevated. If I haven't used #2 during my stay I shoot it before climbing down.
When I hunt from tree stands, the two I use are the Lone Wolf Sit n Climb and the Lone Wolf Hand Climber. I hate great heights, so I set up at 10-15 feet.
I try to remind myself to bend at the waist and aim low.
Love the climbing sticks and a small lock on. Mine were getting old and I just bought two of these Muddy outfitter lite hang ons.
Fantastic stands for the money, easy to hang, great seat, very solid and very quiet. Has a seat leveling screw underneath that is a great feature on a inexpensive stand. They carry them at Dicks Sporting goods and Cabelas.
I like to be as low as I can. If I am too high I don't like the angle I have on a deer that is fairly close to my tree. Being high makes it tough to hit both lungs.
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=20788006
I use lock ons mostly. I put a 12' long pull up rope on all of my stands. When I tie my bow on it is usually about chest high. So I'd say 12' to 16'.
I always try to get about fifteen feet off the ground. It seems to be a good balance and shots can be taken as close as five yards and still get both lungs.
Usually use ladder style, using a climber this year. Approx 16'. You should always practice from a stand if you're gonna use one. Saves a lot of frustration.
Summit viper with a hazmore seat. I normally get anywhere from 15' to 20' depending on cover.
The hazmore seat let me put the top section lower since the seat has me higher also gives me greater clearance for my bow.
Usually 14-16'. Was 20' this morning seeing how, out of my bag, I pulled what I thought was my leafy suit top, but turned out to be the pants. Would have been ok if I had not been wearing a short sleeve tee shirt. I could accordion the legs for my arms to stick thru, but had place way to poke my head out.
I hunted for the first time yesterday out of my new Summit goliath. Bout 15ft. I had to set the seat and foot pieces rather close together so I could get clearance. Shot a couple of arrows to make sure. Odd feeling but, I will practice more.
I use a variety of tree stands. MY favorite is Lone Wolf lock-on.
My stands hang from 12-18' depending upon the tree and cover. Most are around 15'. I prefer cedar trees which provide terrific all year cover. I try to minimize limb cutting by using rope to tie branches out of the way which preserves the live cover provided by the tree.
My stands are 15' to the nose bleed section. I use mostly lock-on stands, but I do use a climbing stand from time to time. I do love a good ground blind as well.
Make sure to practice from an elevated stand before you go hunting, please don't let your first elevated shot be at a critter. As mentioned above bend at the waist and keep your bow alignment consistent.
10-12 feet is all ya need
I use climbing stands about 98% of the time. I've used a Loggy Bayou since about '88, and bought a Summit Broadhead Back Packer around '04 or '05. My Summit is one of the most comfortable stands I've ever used, but it has side rails that sometimes get in the way. My Loggy isn't quite as comfy, but Im vey familiar with it, its light weight and theres no hand rails to worry about.
I've also owned a Lone Wolf climber. I know that its a popular climber among us Stickbow shooters, but I just don't like it.
I tend to put my feet between 12 and 18 ft, depending on the terrain and tree cover. My point of aim seems to change of Im a little higher than normal, and I may have a close shot....with in 10 yrds. I try to bend at the waist and aim a little low. If I happen to go a little higher, I try not to take shots with in 8 or so yrds.
I use ladders and lock on stands. The lock ons end up about 11'.
I use Lock On's on private and I have 2 Summit Vipers I use on public. I have a Hazmore seat and Third Hand straps on both Vipers. The straps allow me to lock down the top section of the Viper so I can lean into the bar to shoot without it moving. A very effective and safe system.
I go about 20 feet up. Sometimes higher or lower if the canopy dictates.
I go higher, at least 20 ft because of the swirling wind in the mountains. Sometimes lower on the ridge tops. I have millinium , screaming eagle,gorrilla , set stands and a lone wolf climber.
I like to have my feet 15 ft off he ground for deer in my area - little lower on coastal islands - and about 10 or 12 feet for hogs and bears. Lone Wolf for pole trees Palm, Pine, deciduous in mature stands. Chippewa for cutting into Oaks, Cedars, Maples edge trees. I do anchor differently shooting from a stand at game 15 yards and closer. Point of aim same opposite armpit.
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I use mostly hang on stands. I always seem to end up with the stand being 15-18' off the ground. Never had any trouble with the shot angle even as close as 5 yards. With my summit climber I generally climb til my rope from the seat tightens up on my bow lying on the ground. That puts me at 18' every time. Don't use my climber much as I hunt private ground and prefer the versatility of my Loc ons
I usually hunt in the 15'-20' range.I use a Summit Viper XLS as my primary stand,and configure the seat to hang appox 6" below the safety bar.
I have found that with the seat so positioned,and the bar brought up to waist high,i can safely lean out against the bar,and attain plenty of clearence for my curve.I was going to cut off the bar,but glad that i didn't,after reading about this trick with the Summit's.
Best of luck to all,Hunt Safe.
I've hunted 20+ feet with my 60" longbow. Never had a problem.
Hunt out of a bunch of hang on stands 66 stands set up and ready to hunt to be exact. They are anywhere from 3ft. to 27ft. Never had a problem with a recurve out of any of them. I do agree the lower the better and cover dictates how high my stands are, angle becomes tough on close in shots from high stands. Shawn
I hunt at 12ft and 15ft respectfully, out of both. I took one section out of one making it 12ft. I also have some 10ft tripods set up.
I don't notice any significant angle difference at those heights. Practice at both, just for certainty.
Pretty much right on when shooting from those heights, IMO.
I usually hunt from a ladder or lock on stand set up at 15 feet. I shoot a 68" longbow so tend to sit mostly with my right butt cheek on the seat and my left one hanging off a bit. This helps keep the lower end of the bow from hitting the stand. Since I am a bit shaky at any height, I shoot sitting down.
I kinda fit in with the majority of guys with heights between 12 and 20 feet and use a variety of stands. Mostly lone wolf hang sons. If I get higher than about 18 feet I start to feel too far away and don't lime the angle. Much prefer 12-15 if cover allows.