Some great story ideas come from my readers, and one that came in yesterday was this question: what are the major things bow hunters should remember when hunting from an elevated coop or a tree stand?

It’s a good question and worthy of an answer. I put some thought into it and  here are some common things to remember. They are in no particular order except for No. 1. It is very important to all deer hunters

1.)    Knowing how to hunt they wind is paramount to success. The really savvy deer hunters test the air movement several times during each hunt because the wind seldom stays from just one direction. To be an effective tree stand hunter, one must either be directly downwind of the deer or across-and-downwind. I use milkweed seeds once they have dried out, and release  one or two several times during a hunt. If any seeds blow toward where the deer come from, get down and leave rather than spook the animal. Learn to play the wind, learn how to stay downwind, and more deer will provide you with better shoi opportunities.

This buck is head-up and looking. Don't move.

2.)    Know your equipment. It’s always nice to have a new bow, but a hunter must become familiar with their bow. We must know what the bow will do under any given circumstance. If we shoot an unfamiliar bow, and find ourselves having a problem hitting the sweet spot of our anchor point, the chance of a miss or wounded deer is very possible. Become familiar with the bow to the point where drawing, aiming and shooting becomes mechanical. Good shooting makes deer hunting easier.

3.)     Know your ideal shooting distance. It’s important to know your limitations and never exceed them. Your ideal range may be 30 yards, but in a wooded environment during that 30-minute period just after sundown, judging 30 yours can be tough. Most hunters find their effective shooting range is shorter in a shadowed or wooded spot. Never try to stretch your established shooting distance because it seldom pays off.

4.)    My favorite trees for a stand are cedars or pines, but it’s not always possible to find such a tree. Hunting from hardwood trees can be equally productive if the hunter chooses the right tree. I prefer deer that come from behind me. I can usually hear them coming, and there is no need to move until it’s time to shoot as the buck walks past and is quartering-away. Obviously, this means knowing exactly where deer travel and then choose a tree wisely.

5.)     Any hardwood tree can work but it must be positioned absolutely perfect. Make every attempt to situate the stand so that you can achieve full draw without being seen and without any movement. Reach full draw, allow the deer to walk past and shoot when it is quartering away. If it sounds easy, it’s because it is easy.

Tree stand placement must be perfect.

6.)    Check your tree stand before each use. If it squeaks or makes noise when climbing into or out of it, it will make noise when you sit or stand to shoot. Eliminate any and all noises while checking for any defects. A squeak at the wrong moment will send bucks heading for thick cover far away.

7.)    Avoid cutting wide shooting lanes around your stand. Instead, look for holes in the vegetation where a killing shot can be made. It’s one thing to remove a few twigs, and still another to remove all the brush. Deer travel where they do because of the brushy cover. It helps conceal their movements.

Good & mediocre bucks. Be still and wait.

8.)    Always wear a safety harness. Most tree stand accidents occur when climbing into, out of or when moving up or down the tree. Even with a harness, always maintain three firm contact points with the tree. This means two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand. Falls can occur when only two contact points are used. Wear the safety harness, make certain it is securely attached to the tree and get accustomed to wearing it. The life you save may be your own.

9.)    Practice shooting from an elevated position. Shooting at a steep downward angle can cause your anchor point to shift. Learn how to shoot sitting down to remove most of the movements required. And know how your arrows fly when shooting down at a steep or moderate angle.

10.) How high is too high to hunt? It’s a matter of personal comfort and feelings,       but most of my tree stands are fixed at 15 feet. A hunter who sits will be shooting from 18 feet while a standing hunter will be shooting from about 21 feet. I know people who hunt 35-40 feet in the air, and such heights can be very dangerous. Learn to play the wind, know how to sit still, know when and how to draw on a deer, and 15 feet is plenty high enough.

It all seems pretty easy when everything is broken down into its component parts. Work through this list this summer as you prepare your tree stands, and pay particular heed to each point. They are meant to help ensure success.