about tree stand practice

blacktailchaser · January 08, 2012, 12:38:00 PM

i am thinking about hunting from a tree stand this year..BUT,i dont have property and live in a small house...so, does any one have ideas on how to get some practice...thanks john

khardrunner · January 08, 2012, 12:48:00 PM

I've practiced off of my shed, roof and daughter's playset

xtrema312 · January 08, 2012, 01:37:00 PM

Do you have a tree? Hardest shots for me are the close ones under about 12 yd. or so. That takes some work to make sure I get limb clearance of the tree, my stand, and my leg. That does not take much space to practice, and you don't have to be that high to practice just shooting down. If you don't have a tree or way to support a platform, then I would just go to some state land and hang a stand for practice sessions unless that is not permitted in your area. Just stay near the parking area so it does not look like you are out hunting. You may also be able to find a trad gang member with a good place to practice.

lpcjon2 · January 08, 2012, 01:59:00 PM

If you have steps that go to the basement, put a target at the bottm of the steps and shoot from the top.

dnovo · January 08, 2012, 09:14:00 PM

Climb on the roof of your house. Pick a spot near the edge to stand. Pretend it is a stand platform, so you are limited in foot area just for practice and pick spots in the yard at various distances to shoot at. Learn what happens when you bend at the waist properly and when you don't.

elkken · January 09, 2012, 10:42:00 AM

If you get on your roof ... do it safely just like you where going into a tree stand. Also don't just practice standing, practice sitting because it is a whole different feel and takes some getting used too.

Bldtrailer · January 09, 2012, 02:53:00 PM

Secound floor window of garage

Jim Jackson · January 09, 2012, 03:33:00 PM

You can use topography to your advantage as well. I practice on a hillside shooting down at targets at different ranges. Works nicely.

January 09, 2012, 04:06:00 PM

maybe shoot out of the back of your pickup, 3 or 4 yds. out.

Onestringer · January 09, 2012, 07:30:00 PM

Its really not that different than shooting level especially at the distances we shoot at deer. I carry two arrows with judo points at all times. Everytime I go hunt I shoot those arrows. If its a morning hunt its the last thing I do before climbing down, if its an evening its the first thing I do. As someone else mentioned, its the really close shots that are hard. I would rather shoot one at 20 yards rather than 5 yards out of a tree.

Lost Arra · January 09, 2012, 08:04:00 PM

All great suggestions but if you have not hunted from a tree on a small platform 15'+ off the ground, it takes some getting used to but it doesn't take that long.

When scouting next pre-season I would take your stand and practice hanging it and shooting out of it. Start hanging it low until you are used to the height then move up to the covering foliage where you will hunt.

I practice from the ground until my elk hunt is over (mid-late Sept) then almost all my practice is from a tree but I do live in a wooded area.

I have found the best simulation of a real treestand is standing on the roof of a pickup.

toddster · January 09, 2012, 10:56:00 PM

find a nice creek or draw works well too.