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From: barkelew@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (David Barkelew)
Newsgroups: rec.hunting
Subject: Re: tree stands
Message-ID: <1991Apr26.063259.20876@doug.cae.wisc.edu>
Date: 26 Apr 91 11:32:59 GMT
References: <588@erb1.engr.wisc.edu>
Organization: Computation Center, University of Texas at Austin.
Lines: 52
Approved: hunting@osnome.che.wisc.edu


roa@davinci.acc.virginia.edu (Robert O. Anderson Jr) writes:

brianh@tvnews.tv.tek.com (Brian Heifner) writes:

   >Any way, recently I purchased a Loggy Bayou (sp) tree stand. I'm
   >curious to found out what ya'all feel about height placement of the
   >tree stand.  Is it enough to get only ten feet off of the ground or
   >will I do better higher up?.

roa@davinci.acc.virginia.edu (Robert O. Anderson Jr) writes:

     >Loggy Bayou makes an excellent tree stand.....

     >As for height, personally, I like to get 15 to 20 feet high or
     >higher if conditions dictate. It just depends on the terrain. The
     >higher you are the further the wind will carry your scent before
     >it "settles" to the ground and the more dispersed it'll be.
     >It also depends on the type of trees whether it's easy or not to
     >get a distance off the ground. I've been in some small pines where
     >it's uncomfortable being ten feet high....and have had deer walk
     >around me wondering what that "new blob" was. And that "rocka
     >byebabyinthetreetop" is a little unnerving, also.
     >You'll just have to judge how high to get when you get to where
     >you're hunting.

I typically do all my bowhunting (for deer, that is) from a tree
stand.  Up 'til this past season, I have used a homemade one that
worked pretty well, and I have shot several nice deer from a tree.

One thing that i believe caused a problem for me last year was the
stability of the tree my stand was in.  I was hunting whitetails
in central Texas, where I live.  The deer are pretty small, probably
averaging 7080 pounds, and are extreemely easily spooked.  My stand
was about 2530 ft up in a red oak, which was about 5060 ft total.
I was on the main trunk of the tree just above a large limb.  I
had a 45 degree wide lane off my left shoulder and another 30 degree
wide lane in front and slightly right.  Both had distances of 40
yards or so.  Anyway, every time I moved or shifted my weight, even
slightly, the outter leaves on the ends of the limbs of the tree
would quiver just a bit.  I didn't notice it until late in the season.
When I finally did, the tree's movement was like a giant motion
amplifier for my every move.  I am pretty sure this cost me at least
two oppertunities.  I don't know if it was just that type of tree
or what, but that is something you should also consider when selecting
that perfect spot.

 David Barkelew                  Internet: barkelew@utxvms.cc.utexas.edu
 University of Texas             THEnet:   UTXVMS::BARKELEW
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   "If I've told you once, I've told you a bazillion times  *NO*! "