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How to Correctly Hang Your Tree Stand 1. The first point to remember is that you
start by hunting deer, not trees. You don’t look for the ideal
tree and hope the deer will come within range of that tree. You
need to do pre-season scouting to identify the ‘hot spots’, or
if you were unable to do this, you need to quickly identify
where and when the deer are moving so you can hang your stand in
the best place. The skills of pre-season scouting is covered in
our book Whitetail Trophy Hunting Secrets 2. Once you have located a ‘hot spot’, the
next task is to find the most suitable tree that will put you in
the correct position for the shooting lanes you have identified. 3.
The ‘ideal tree’ will be
downwind of where you expect to see the deer, based on the
prevailing wind direction. An alternative tree[s] should be
identified to take advantage of other wind directions. Don’t
underestimate the ability of whitetail to detect your scent,
even if you think you have done all you can to hunt scent-free!
Remember bucks usually travel downwind of food sources to
scent-check them for danger, and downwind of bedding areas to
scent-check for ‘hot’ does. Cunning bucks like to stay in the
shadows out of danger, so try to stay downwind of where you
expect to see the deer. 4.
How far downwind should you be?
That depends primarily on the weapon you are using. If you are
using a rifle, 50 - 200 yards may be appropriate depending on
the type of environment [how far you can see] and your accuracy.
Some people prefer to be 200-300 yards away so they can minimize
being busted. Other hunters prefer to be 50-100 yards to
increase the chances of an accurate kill shot. Finding suitable
trees will also be a deciding factor. If hunting with a bow,
15-25 yards away is what most hunters look for. 5.
If you have a choice of trees,
choose larger trees as the smaller ones make it harder for you
perched in them, to blend in with the woods. Also the trees that
provide some cover to your back and sides are great as well. If
you can choose a tree in the shadows – that’s even better as it
helps with your concealment. It is better to look out from
shadows into brighter lit areas, than to be in light, and be
looking into darker areas. It also helps hide those shiny
reflective surfaces we often have on parts of our equipment. 6.
What is a good height for the
stand? There is no correct answer, but a lot of hunters prefer
to be in the 15-25 foot range. If you go a lot higher, the
shooting angle gets worse, you have more obstructions to shoot
through, and it is more dangerous. However, when high your scent
is carried away higher above the deer and the deer are less
likely to see you. The real determinant is where the tree
provides the best cover. If that cover is at 15 feet, then that
is where your stand should be. If you are choosing your tree
pre-season, keep in mind what the area will look like with
leaves shed! 7.
Now that you have located your
tree, remove any potential hazards away from the base of the
tree, such as rocks, limbs etc. Put your climbing harness on and
strap it to the tree. Start inserting the climbing steps into
the tree about a foot apart and separated at 90 degrees to make
it easier and more natural for climbing. Be cautious as you put
your weight onto each step to make sure it is secure. 8.
When you reach the required
height, trim away any limbs or branches that will be in the way.
Then, using a haul line, pull up the stand and then attach it
according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Attach the stand
so that you step down onto it from the climbing steps. Trying to
pull yourself up onto the stand may dislodge it. Once the stand
is attached, carefully put your weight onto the stand, making
sure you are always attached to the tree. 9. Once you are confident the stand will safely support you, sit or stand on it and trim away branches that will prevent you getting into or out of your stand safely. Also trim away any branches to give you the shooting lanes you require. A lot of hunters like to have 2-3 shooting lanes. These branches may also be able to be trimmed from the ground using a cutting/pruning telescoping pole. |
