Great info, I'm glad to have seen this, as next year I will be better equipped (and hopefully up there) for bow season. I learned quite a few lessons this year bow hunting out of a tree stand. The lessons I did learn maybe can help you if you decide to get up in a tree. Don't ever climb too high, scent killer and 20 ft off the ground is the best way to go. I got about 40 ft up one day, and tagged a doe too high, spent about 3 hrs looking for her, and the blood trail ended at my broken arrow. A good trail cam on a trail near a bed down/eating location will give you a good leg up. I found out after about 2 weeks that my bow spot was a morning only spot. It also helps to see what Buck is king in the area, and which bucks pass through only once or twice. Scent cone apps helped me to guesstimate which tree I need to climb to not get smelled out. I learned to always apply scent killer on everything, and to never spray paint anywhere near my tree stand. (10point smelled me 5 mins before legal shooting time, the day after I spray painted my sons Halloween costume, and I couldn't smell the spray paint). I learned to always range known locations near the trails at multiple points everyday. I missed the same 10 point after I thought he was at 30 yards instead of 20 and I didn't bring my range finder that day. I also learned (my preference) to find spots that don't go too far out of my shooting comfort. I feel comfy at 50 yards and the furthest shot I could take at that spot was 70 yards. For me, that gave me enough time to get set, and allow the shot to unfold, all while giving me ample time to mentally prepare until I had a good 20-30 yard shot. Out of the 3 shots I took over 2 months, I had about 10 shots in that spot that i didn't take, and I wouldn't trade that experience for the world. I learned a few others, but they are terrain and location specific, and I am in GA/AL right now so they wouldn't help.
