#1853947 - 03/24/10 11:25 PM
Can you hunt too high (archery season)...?
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gator-n-buck
16 Point
Registered: 10/22/08
Posts: 14908
Loc: Knox, TN / Palatka, FL
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Years ago I used to hunt pretty high (25 to 30 ft) during archery season. This helped alot when hunting rough terrain for the purposes of scent control and concealment. This worked great for that purpose but when it was time to make a shot, that's another story... I found hunting so high made it a much tougher shot. I normally found myself shooting at a steep angle down the side of a ridge on a small target (mass exposed). How many of you guys have experienced this problem over the years...?
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#1853963 - 03/24/10 11:46 PM
Re: Can you hunt too high (archery season)...?
[Re: gator-n-buck]
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baller_9
8 Point
Registered: 03/24/06
Posts: 2049
Loc: Cordova, TN
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I use to hunt high as well to help cover up my scent when bowhunting. I had the same experiences you are describing and now usually hunt around 20 feet or less instead of 30 when I have a bow. When hunting that high even if you don't hit the spine there is a good chance of only catching one lunge.
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#1853969 - 03/24/10 11:51 PM
Re: Can you hunt too high (archery season)...?
[Re: baller_9]
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cecil30-30
16 Point
Registered: 12/05/06
Posts: 13181
Loc: Morgan Co
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I always hunt at 30ft in my climber..Got a 30ft pull rope and I climb till I feel it pull tight.
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The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it." -Thomas Jefferson
Ban Liberals!!! Save America!!!!
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#1854000 - 03/25/10 04:22 AM
Re: Can you hunt too high (archery season)...?
[Re: cecil30-30]
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bowriter
Non-Typical
Registered: 08/31/02
Posts: 40299
Loc: Lebanon,TN USA
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My normal hunting height was between 8 and 15 feet. I hunted just as high as the background cover dictated. Once I realized all hunting high did was make the shot angle harder and did nothing to keep deer from smelling me, I quit worrying about it.
But of course, we have had this discussion here many times.
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#1854018 - 03/25/10 05:30 AM
Re: Can you hunt too high (archery season)...?
[Re: bowriter]
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ghosthunter
10 Point
Registered: 11/30/04
Posts: 3446
Loc: chattanooga
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Every situation is unique. Some spots don't require me to be as high as others. I even have one spot that is about 12' feet off the ground and it's a tree branch I sit on. If I do need to hunt in the nose bleed section I like to try and set my stand farther away from my predicted shot location so that the angle is decreased and my chance at a double lung shot in better.
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#1854035 - 03/25/10 05:49 AM
Re: Can you hunt too high (archery season)...?
[Re: gator-n-buck]
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Snake
16 Point
Registered: 05/03/09
Posts: 15478
Loc: McMinn Co.Tennessee U.S.
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I think you can get to high because of the angle but it depends on the terrain you are hunting . You may have to get higher than normal in wide open spaces because of cover but what ever height you are comfortable with and you have sucess at that height then , Go For It !!
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No matter the storm , when you are with God , there's always a rainbow waiting .
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#1854098 - 03/25/10 07:15 AM
Re: Can you hunt too high (archery season)...?
[Re: MUP]
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BowGuy84
10 Point
Registered: 09/16/07
Posts: 4847
Loc: Nashville, TN and Louisville, ...
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Yes you can hunt too high...shot angles become really tough with a bow about 20 feet or so especially depending on the topography of the land.
I kill deer every year on a public place I hunt here in KY about 10 feet up in a overgrown bush...large sapling whatever. I stand on the branches (the size of them it takes more than one to support me) and tie myself in to the trunk behind me. Tip of arrow to deer this year was less than 5 yards out of a tree...fun hunting!
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#1854108 - 03/25/10 07:31 AM
Re: Can you hunt too high (archery season)...?
[Re: bowriter]
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tndrbstr
16 Point
Registered: 10/06/05
Posts: 12157
Loc: knox co tn
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My normal hunting height was between 8 and 15 feet. I hunt just as high as the background cover dictates.
x2
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#1854132 - 03/25/10 07:54 AM
Re: Can you hunt too high (archery season)...?
[Re: tndrbstr]
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pastorbmp
10 Point
Registered: 01/16/06
Posts: 4223
Loc: Wartburg,TN
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For bow hunting, I hunt as high as the canopy allows. Usually 15-20 feet. I wouldn't go any higher than that during bow season because of the angle. Gun season, I prefer to get higher if possible.
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#1854148 - 03/25/10 08:02 AM
Re: Can you hunt too high (archery season)...?
[Re: pastorbmp]
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Winchester
Non-Typical
Registered: 12/05/03
Posts: 25229
Loc: TN
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Hunting higher absolutely helps with being caught moving, as well as scent dispersal, common sense. I will agree that if you hunt high you should practice shots from the same heights, helps you understand where you need to shoot to get the desired results. Preparation is required! I hunt as high as the situation will warrant up to a max of about 30 ft, and have no trouble with my shots. If I make a bad shot, its because I made a bad shot, not because im 5 ft higher than joe is.
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#1854178 - 03/25/10 08:21 AM
Re: Can you hunt too high (archery season)...?
[Re: pastorbmp]
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Coach
16 Point
Registered: 12/02/07
Posts: 10869
Loc: Pall Mall, TN and Dexter, MI
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I can't do it...hunt high that is...My son hunts 30+ and I hunt 15-18 max. I'm not comfortable when I get too high plus in early season I don't want to be above the canopy of leaves. Heck, if I was at 30' it would take me so long to get up and down I wouldn't have any hunting time left!!!
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"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face." Mike Tyson Dean Business Supply, Llc http://www.adam4d.com
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#1854195 - 03/25/10 08:26 AM
Re: Can you hunt too high (archery season)...?
[Re: Coach]
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Football Hunter
18 Point
Registered: 10/22/07
Posts: 24550
Loc: Wilson Co/Perry Co
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Yeah,I think thats to high for bow,but everyone has their opinion
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#1854237 - 03/25/10 08:41 AM
Re: Can you hunt too high (archery season)...?
[Re: pastorbmp]
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easy45
18 Point
Registered: 11/06/07
Posts: 23802
Loc: Medon
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not sure, the highest I go is 20 feet and that doesn't happen often
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#1854260 - 03/25/10 08:49 AM
Re: Can you hunt too high (archery season)...?
[Re: easy45]
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TN RDG RNR
12 Point
Registered: 06/28/07
Posts: 6086
Loc: Rhea County
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Normally I climb as high as the tree will allow, gun and bow hunting.
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#1854394 - 03/25/10 09:49 AM
Re: Can you hunt too high (archery season)...?
[Re: TN RDG RNR]
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Bottom Hunter
16 Point
Registered: 12/29/06
Posts: 15480
Loc: Hatchie Bottoms
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i think that with a bow, you can get too high up.....my best shooting comes at 12-20 feet...above that and the angle is just too steep.......unless you want to make a spine shot.....and then you have to be very accurate......I know......the biggest deer I ever saw walked off with my arrow in it's back.....
never forgot that...
BH
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#1854443 - 03/25/10 10:01 AM
Re: Can you hunt too high (archery season)...?
[Re: Bottom Hunter]
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deerchaser007
10 Point
Registered: 12/17/02
Posts: 4207
Loc: Bradyville, TN USA
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15 to 22 ft is it for me. I have a little fear of heights,. so anything past that and i'm not comfortable,.. especially if the wind blows. Hard to remain still and pull of good shots if your shaking like crazy.
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#1854493 - 03/25/10 10:20 AM
Re: Can you hunt too high (archery season)...?
[Re: deerchaser007]
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whistlinwingman
8 Point
Registered: 07/11/05
Posts: 1824
Loc: Morristown
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To each his own but I'm any where from 15-25ft. I don't go higher cause I don't think it helps. Sometimes the higher you get the more wind hits you and the more (and further) your scent disperses. JMO.
Also, cover is huge. Usually when I hang a stand or use a climber, I try to go to where the deer will be coming in from and see what they are gonna see. Cover from background canopy and surrounding branches usually occurs around the 20 ft mark for me. I have been "too high" and had deer spot me when the leaves start falling off.
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#1854588 - 03/25/10 10:51 AM
Re: Can you hunt too high (archery season)...?
[Re: whistlinwingman]
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51 pointer
4 Point
Registered: 10/03/09
Posts: 436
Loc: Tennessee
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cover is most important but if you aren't above 15ft then you would be better off on the ground in some sort of blind (imo), I use a pendulem sight so steep angles aren't a problem but I don't take shots directly underneath me because they are too risky unless you practice it, 5 yds is about as close a shot I will take, I try to get as high as I can but limited to 25ft from the bottom of my stand because thats how long my rope is and any higher gets a lil scary, The 200" buck I shot last year with a bow I shot @ 25yds on the ground, when I use to gun hunt I didn't get in a stand at all because it was more productive & fun to stalk
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#1854799 - 03/25/10 12:24 PM
Re: Can you hunt too high (archery season)...?
[Re: 51 pointer]
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Coach
16 Point
Registered: 12/02/07
Posts: 10869
Loc: Pall Mall, TN and Dexter, MI
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A little off base of the original post...but, I like to clean objects out from around the tree I'm in...especially if I've had to trim a few saplings or something I never leave those stobs..rocks are moved, logs...I like a clean falling space! I also don't like tripping on them on the way in or out in the dark...
Edited by Coach (03/25/10 12:24 PM)
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"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face." Mike Tyson Dean Business Supply, Llc http://www.adam4d.com
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#1854810 - 03/25/10 12:30 PM
Re: Can you hunt too high (archery season)...?
[Re: Coach]
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MUP
Non-Typical
Registered: 08/01/07
Posts: 36085
Loc: Just North of Chatt-town
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A little off base of the original post...but, I like to clean objects out from around the tree I'm in...especially if I've had to trim a few saplings or something I never leave those stobs..rocks are moved, logs...I like a clean falling space! I also don't like tripping on them on the way in or out in the dark...
Heck Coach, I create and cut those stobs at the base of my stands, just for the meth heads if they find it! 
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MUP
Amateurs: Built the Ark
Professionals: Built the Titanic
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#1854819 - 03/25/10 12:33 PM
Re: Can you hunt too high (archery season)...?
[Re: MUP]
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Coach
16 Point
Registered: 12/02/07
Posts: 10869
Loc: Pall Mall, TN and Dexter, MI
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A little off base of the original post...but, I like to clean objects out from around the tree I'm in...especially if I've had to trim a few saplings or something I never leave those stobs..rocks are moved, logs...I like a clean falling space! I also don't like tripping on them on the way in or out in the dark... Heck Coach, I create and cut those stobs at the base of my stands, just for the meth heads if they find it!
Yeah, but if I fall on them it might meth my head up!
_________________________
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face." Mike Tyson Dean Business Supply, Llc http://www.adam4d.com
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#1855440 - 03/25/10 05:26 PM
Re: Can you hunt too high (archery season)...?
[Re: baller_9]
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buckhorn40
Non-Typical
Registered: 07/03/06
Posts: 27454
Loc: Crossville
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Never over 20 feet.
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#1856570 - 03/26/10 07:56 AM
Re: Can you hunt too high (archery season)...?
[Re: gator-n-buck]
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Double-D-Team
10 Point
Registered: 12/18/02
Posts: 3483
Loc: God's Country
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JMO, no matter what height you bow hunt at you better practice shooting at that height. I like others go as high as the concealment is. Key is to aim small hit small...Quit over thinking it, just practice...
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#1856614 - 03/26/10 08:40 AM
Re: Can you hunt too high (archery season)...?
[Re: Double-D-Team]
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Winchester
Non-Typical
Registered: 12/05/03
Posts: 25229
Loc: TN
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JMO, no matter what height you bow hunt at you better practice shooting at that height. I like others go as high as the concealment is. Key is to aim small hit small...Quit over thinking it, just practice...
Best post so far! If your efficient while practicing then you will be comfortable and proficient when the time comes! The myth about being too high causing a bad shot angle has been debunked many times over the years. You have to go well over 30 ft before the height affects your angle on deer sized game very much! This topic has been analyzed to death over the years!
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#1862983 - 03/30/10 09:45 AM
Re: Can you hunt too high (archery season)...?
[Re: Winchester]
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BigWes50
10 Point
Registered: 03/04/07
Posts: 3207
Loc: Chattanooga, TN
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20ft. gun and bow!
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Just as the deer can suddenly materialize in the woods, "Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" (Matthew 24:44)
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