Hunting From a Tree Stand

Hunting from a tree stand will change your shot from those taken from the ground.  While I haven't found it to be a large factor, it is something to consider.  There is less of an effect from gravity as you are shooting with it, however you are shooting a further distance because you are shooting the hypotenuse of the "triangle" which is the longest leg.  The actual distance if you were on the ground would be the base of the triangle.  Be sure to experiment and practice shooting from the height that you will ultimately hunt from.  Be sure to practice keeping the arm that you draw with perpendicular to the string.  It is important to maintain this 90 degree angle as you aim you bow down and follow through when the shot is taken.  I always shoot low, especially when in a tree stand.  This makes up for any height gain that you might get in your shot, and when the deer tend to jump the shot, the first thing they do is crouch down to load the springs in their legs, which lowers your target area.  It is almost always better to hit a deer low in the wheel-house area than high.  The heart area is in the lower portion of the body.

Hunting From a Ground Blind

Some of the new "instant setup" ground blinds are also a good way to go.  They setup very fast, come in a compact carrying case, are are light to carry into the woods.  This type of blind is especially suited to taking children out for their first "big hunt".  Its a lot safer than trying to get them to climb up in a tree stand and conceals their movements and noises much better.  Its also probably the best way to sit through one of those all day rain hunts.  The Ameristep Penthouse is reviewed in another part of the hunting library.