Elk hunting from treestand - How High??

[Over&Under]

I will be trying a treestand for part of this years elk season, and for those of you that have, what is a good height to start for setting the stand?

Thanks

[Dave2old]

Begging your question just a little ... given the habits and habitats of elk, very few experienced hunters use treestands. I see folks coming in by airplane from the East and Southeast with them, but have never known a single local hunter who used one. You being from CO, I assume you are experienced and perhaps know more in this area than I do. But my best take after half a long lifetime of hunting wild elk in natural situations, win and lose, is that I can't recommend a treestand. First, it ties you down/up, while elk are hyper-mobile during the rut. Second, everywhere I have hunted elk, it's darn hard to find good, safe trees to hang a stand in solid trad shooting distance of natural elk attractants, like a spring pool or trail crossing. And ethically -- although I know many have made good shots on elk from treestands, I always try to plan for the worst rather than the best outcome -- it's going to be darn hard to get a double-lung pass-through shot on an elk from steep above. I once chased a one-lunged elk for nearly a month, and the heartbreak of that painful experience makes me never want to experience it again, and thus to discourage ethical hunters from the possibility. And finally, the greatest joy in chasing elk is "chasing" them (notwithstanding I do a lot of impromptu ground ambushing, but never with anything manufactured or bought). But srry for going a bit off topic, and RE your direct question, "How high," to get an ethical fast-killing, high recovery-rate, double-lung full pass-through ... the lower the better. Gravity wants us on the ground! Love, Dave

[Conner Parry]

i wouldn't go much higher than 15', that will still give you a good angle for a double lung pass through. if it were me i would try and set the stand in a pine tree not a quakie. pines are sappy and messy but the conceal much better.

[Over&Under]

Dave -

If you are who I think you are, (man made of elk) you have waaaaaayyy more experience than me, (two elk with a bow)and I say that with the utmost respect.  I have not read your book but did look at the small discription on the website, and I value your opinions greatly.  

That said, if you saw the spot I was choosing for my treestand, and the time in which I would be using it, opening weekend, (very hot here) you might suggest a treestand.  

I hunted this spot last year with a ground blind and I hardly so much as blinked and the elk were gone.  It is a small spring, that is sourrounded by thick brush within about a 5-6 yard radius, making it very hard to sit far enough away to not get detected, yet close enough to even see the elk.  

I have found a suitable tree appox 15 yards away, and was wondering how high would give me a good chance at a clean kill, but not be seen.

thanks for the input

Conner - good advice, thanks alot

Jake

[Orion]

If you must, keep your feet no more than 12 feet off the ground.

[COOCH]

I hunt in south west New Mexico usually during the first season Sept 1-11 usually very hot and dry.I've killed several from trees over water Its one of my favorite tactics I've killed them from 10' on up to 30' never had a problem with penatration or clean kills.The set up will dictate how high,the wind and the thermals are your main concern.I've also been winded becouse of a changing thermal.IMHO elk don't seem to look up as whitetails do.Just be patient and wait for the proper shot dont move when there looking in your direction and you should be fine around 15'. Hope this helped and good luck hope to see some pics soon.

[72highboy]

From a safety standpoint if you are going to use an aspen double check that it does not have any rot. As you may know, aspens are very prone to both heart and root rot. My professors would be proud I actually learned something in forestry school.

Jon

[Over&Under]

Cooch -

Good thought on the thermals, as the elk in my spot seem to approach from a steep hill directly behind the spring, and will be level with me during the latter portion of their approach.

72 - I will be in an aspen, if it is still there, good reminder, thanks

[Dave2old]

O&U -- Jon's concerns with aspen safety figure into my previous advice. That's the nature of advice -- if you have broad experience in an area, the best you can do is offer general advice for the general hunter. Exceptions are always allowed for. If you've found a safe place for a stand and feel confident that's the only or best way to hunt this spot, and confident you can make a clean kill, you have my blessings. But in general, tree-standing is neither the most productive nor the most enjoyable way to hunt elk. Ethically, which is the bottom line, all that matters is a high-odds set-up before you release that arrow, which can never be called back. Best luck, dave

[Over&Under]

Dave

understood 100%.  you did not have enough info to make a specific recomendation, and yiour general opinion still has some bearing in this situation, and I appreciate your advice, no matter how general.

I definatly keep ethics at the top of my list, and will make my final decision on that.

Thanks very much for your concern, as a guy just wanting to kill an elk could easily loos sight of what is important.

Jake

[wingnut]

WE hunted a lot to "thick stuff" in Western Washington for years with tree stands and took a lot of elk from them.  So not all elk hunting is run and gun.  I prefer hunting on the move, but one of my buddies scouted the areas heavy and his stands were very productive.

Watch your wind and try to have cover in the tree.

Mike

[elk ninja]

Never hunted elk from a treestand, but all the waterhole treestands I saw while chasing elk in Arizona looked to be 15' or less.  I don't think elk look up much at all (like whitetail are prone to do now).
Mike

[Over&Under]

Wingnut_

Now thats the stuff!!!

thanks fella's!!

[Doug S]

I sometimes pull pine branches up around me and tie them to the tree if I need more cover. Sounds like you have the angle that will give you a shot to both lungs. Good luck

[rg176bnc]

Wallows and springs were made for treestands, if its hot. I know a couple of guys that score often in NM w/ them.  Never asked them how high they got though.