One of the most overlooked aspects of hunting is proper tree stand placement. When I first started hunting I simply setup my stand on a well used game trail and hoped for the best. While this may be a successful strategy in some cases which is not the majority of time, it is simply not sufficient enough. Well thought out stand placement will ensure your setup for the best shot placement on your quarry. Excellent shot placement ensures a quick clean harvest of the animal your hunting. I use my stands for hunting a variety of game, from coyotes to whitetails to bear.
The first thing I check when considering tree stand placement is wind direction. I then look at the sign I am hunting over such as a game trail and figure out which direction the majority of the game is heading. If the game is heading north on the trail then you will want to place your stand facing south. It ensures you see the game coming down the trail before they see you. You will want to place your stand at fifteen to thirty degree angle to the trail. This will ensure you will see the game approaching and secondly have plenty of time to get into your shooting stance and make a perfect broadside shot.
Wind direction is key if the deer are headed north on a well used game trail and the wind is coming from the south then hunting directly upwind of the deer will ensure a failed hunt. Without going into too much detail I personally have all the game trails in my hunting area tracked out with my gps. You can see how the trail runs with the land and were the trail bends. On these bends in the trail is where you would want to setup your stand when the wind direction is in the deer’s favor.
Picking out the right tree is essential. Not only should the right tree be considered but surrounding vegetation should be taken into account. I rarely cut shooting lanes when I choose a tree stand location. For one particularity whitetail deer are very keen to their home range, it would be like if someone were to come in your house and breaking your favorite antique cuckoo clock that hung on the wall for years. You would quickly notice it and would be well aware a stranger could be lurking around the next corner. Deer are and act the same way, they will alter their normal travel routine if they feel something is amiss. If you look hard enough you can find plenty of stand locations on the game trail that give you an opportunity for natural shooting lanes.
Proper tree stand placement can literally make or break a hunt. By paying close attention to the fine details will ensure you success after success. It will ready you for advanced hunting techniques.
