Tree Stand Placement

[THunt]

OK this is my first rodeo in tree stand placement! I have always hunted mule deer but the last few year have seen some stud whitetail bucks, so I bought a few tree stand and have all my cameras out.  My question is I found a place that has 5 trails meeting up on a hillside where I know the deer pass going from their bedding area to feeding area.  I placed one of my tree stands at the trail hub (I know its a little early just got excited).  Its on a steep.   The problem is my stand is facing up hill and with the angle if the hill I will be at eye level of 2 of the trails.  Will this be a problem?  If I face down hill the tree is big enough that I could miss shot opportunity's on a few places.  Any thoughts would be great.  I know this is going to be a lot of trial and error but want to get off on the right foot.  Any thoughts would be great.

Thanks

[D-Rock425]

Unless you are well covered in the canopy of the tree the will see you.  I've had elk bust me in the same kinda situation.  I know now its better to be well covered and hidden than it is to have more shooting lanes.

[THunt]

Ya thats want I thought.  I guess I could cut some branches and put them on my tree stand to give me a little screen.

[Button Nubbs]

I wouldn't have a stand at eye level.  last year my bull came in and had to climb a small knob (were talking less than a foot incline) he picked me off 18' up in the tree because of the angle he was at climbing that small incline. That's a pre-rut elk not a skittish whitetail.

[Sumpnneedskillin]

Can you go higher in the tree so you are above the 2 trails?

I had a similar problem when I was stationed in SoCal.  I found an attachment for my treestand that was a fan of fake branches.  The limbs were plastic covered wire so you could bend them into any position you wanted.  It also came with a strap so you could attach it to a tree.  It worked OK.  It helped break up your outline.

[et1702]

Definitely go higher!  Eye level = no shot opportunity unless the deer stops and looks uphill.  If you are using bait, you could place bait strategically to get them to turn slightly uphill. 

If you can't go higher (or dont want too), I'd move the stand to the uphil side.  It's early, so you can always clear some shooting lanes.  FYI, I typically place my stands 25' (minimum) to 30 feet above the ground.  Higher is better for scent as well as lack of detection due to motion.

Regarding extra cover, I always take a cordless drill with me and screw some of the branches onto tree that I cut for stand placement to provide extra coverage in the right locations.  Be extra careful of being backlight.  If the deer or elk can see nothing but clear blue sky behind you, its much easier for them to see motion and pick you off.  You can also use bungy straps or zip ties to attach cut branches to the bottom of your tree stands platform.

Have fun.

ET

[THunt]

Ok I have to admit  I'm a wuss. I bought a ladder stand so going any higher isn't an option.  I guess I will see what I can do to "brush it up" a little. 

There is a lot of little pecker poles so it makes even finding a tree that the stand can go in hard.

[D-Rock425]

Might be better off with a good ground blind.

[THunt]

I thought about the ground blind but man you can see so much from up in the tree its amazing.  Has anyone build a little blind around their treestand? 

[D-Rock425]

I've seen guys build tree forts in trees.

[THunt]

Well I had pictures of 4 bucks in the last week so I just dont really want to move it but Im going to go up there this weekend and just take a look around and see if there is a better option near there.  If not then I will put up some braches and netting and sit real still.  Its pretty thick brush on either side of the shooting lanes so I think as long as I see the deer soon enough I will be able to draw before they step out.

[bracer40]

Remember to practice shooting from elevation. If all of your hunting's been on the ground, your aiming points will be different when one walks underneath you.. You''ll also want to make sure everymove you make in the stand can be done silently, no squeeks, unnatural sounds...
If you're hunting Whitetails, you'll want to pay attention to how you enter your stand and what sort of scent might get laid down on your walk in. I've watched whitetails 300 yds away spook when they crossed my trail I used to get to my stand.

[THunt]

Ya this whitetail thing is a little overwhelming.  There seems to be a million little things I need to remember.  I will take note on getting to my stand.

[huntnnw]

the best stand location in the world is useless if your approach into and out of the stand are not detected by deer...most ladder stands are not high enough..and side hills are terrible..if the deer move by too early the thermals will be blowing right at them and if they go below and your not high enough they will wind you when the thermals switch. I would look for a saddle, ridge top, a natural funnel or a corner cut area.

[THunt]

OK the Set up is in a saddle by and old skid rd that they cross but its not much of a saddle in the hill.  I can see that it will be best for afternoon/evening hunt when they are coming for their beds to feed.  If I only go to it during the afternoon I should be able to get in there undetected.  There is just so many things to think of.