First time for everything, stand advice....

[nightowl1]

Anyone have some advice for someone headed off the ground for the first time to hunt? I love to move around while hunting but found a great spot ( I'm pretty sure anyway). I built a platform stand of scraps around the ranch that is real sturdy and about 10 feet to the base. I put it next too a great oak tree and feel pretty hidden from most angles... except straight on.
I found an old deer feeder of my in laws and it won't require much to get it going good. This is a completely new idea for me so help me out please.

I'm facing West North west, anticipating wind pattern.

How often do you hunt the same stand? If you do feeders when do you set them off? Is 12-15 yards a good distance  to set the feeder from my stand?

My stand is on my property so afternoon and mornings are always open.

[rascal]

In my experience the effectiveness of stands are directly related to the area in which one lives, if most people in your area hunt from tree stands then 10 feet might be a little on the short side.  As far as how far to place your feeder from your stand that will depend on how far you are comfortable shooting, make sure the feed will at least bring them into range and put them in the least likely position to catch you.  Your feeder should be set to bring the deer into the area you plan to hunt during daylight hours so set it up to feed just after dawn by 30 minutes and about an hour before dusk.  

I have about 12 stands that I hunt so I have a tendancy to let stands rest for long periods between hunts but if you dont have as many options just remember to keep it as scent free and sign free as possible each time you hunt.  As a general rule you can expect the stand to become less dependable the more you hunt it, you spook deer leave various scent and sign and they wont come to the area except during night time hours.