Lean to tree stand - how short?

[Masmak]

Got on a lease in north East Texas. Lots of pine and some hardwood around. I’m not a fan of tree climbers or being up high. How low of a seated lean to tree stand would you go? 8 ft, 10 ft, 15 ft is probably on my upper limit. What say you?

[txtimetravler]

Depends On the cover…anything in front or behind you!??

My best stand is 6 foot because of the cover in front and around me.

My 14 footer has produced but is more exposed.

[AntlerCollector]

If it’s concealed well 10’ is fine

[Hogmauler]

As high as you can stand and one that slopes back a little. And wear your fall arrest system! My wife’s friends husband and son were hunting out of a ladder stand two years ago. Hunt was over so the son came down and was waiting for fear to be lowered. Got that done and dad started down.
Halfway down the ladder broke in half. Don’t ask me how cause I don’t know. Dad fell and landed hard. He literally broke his face, several ribs and other fractures. He was life flighted from the site.
I don’t think he’s back hunting yet. Still rehabbing. 10 ‘ can hurt you badly so wear your fall arrest system. Speaking for myself, When I used ladders I kept an eye on them. Did visual checks for rust, cracked welds etc. it can save your life.

[cva34]

ladder stand

If it’s concealed well 10’ is fine

Gota agree...esp on a little slope...15 get a little rickitie (but that depends on Quality...and 10s way easier to set up and move

[Low Fence]

I’ve got some 10’ tripods that are absolute poison! But they took hours to set up and get into position. I’ve got some 14-15 ladders in the right spots that work well too. I hunt where I need to be, not at a certain height. It varies site to site

[RifleBowPistol]

I would agree, that the height depends on exactly where you place the stand, does not matter what type of stand it is, too tall or too short for the surroundings and you will be seen easily.

My tripods are all in the 5 ft. to 6 ft. range, I usually use those in cedar or mesquite. I built a 12 ft. ladder stand last year, took it on one hunt, in some tall oaks, never saw a single deer out of the stand. Everything looked like I was in a good spot, all I saw were squirrels, possum and a bobcat. I have set the same stand up on our property, in post oaks, it has done very well. I have had many deer walk right past the stand with me in it. When there is a deer 10 ft. from the base of the stand, and looking up, I would think they would see me and bolt, but they don't. I guess they have no idea, what is up in the tree. 90% of the deer that walk past the stand, when I am on the stand, don't see me, or look up my direction. I am sure the few that have been very close and looked up my direction, saw me, just had no idea what I was. They would stop and look my direction for maybe 10 to 15 seconds, they go back to what they were doing. I think it's because nobody or very few people hunt from tree stands in this area.
When attached to one of our post oaks, there is very little movement or swaying. When I had it attached to some very tall pin oaks up in north east Texas, it was constantly swaying back and forth. I don't know how guys can hunt 20 ft. up in those trees, I would pass. It would be hard to get off a accurate shot, as much as those trees were swaying, at only 12 ft. off the ground.

I am definitely not any form of expert on tree stands, the one and only I have ever hunted out of, is the one I built. It is heavy and a real pain to set up, last year, while setting it up, it swapped ends on me and came down on my right shoulder. My shoulder I think is just about completely healed up. For about 15 or so months, my shoulder has had all types of problems. I have definitely decided my ladder stand, is going to stay where I have it set up on our property. If I decide I want a stand to take hunting in other areas, I will buy a much lighter stand.

[asu-indian]

These ETX deer are smart. You better get Hi-ER!