Tree stand + longbow

[wisconsinteacher]

Do you ever have issues when using a long bow while hunting from a tree stand?  This year with my recurve I learned that I need to rethink my stand set ups compared to when I used a compound.  Any tips that that you have learned over the years?

[m midd]

I used to have issues with the front bar on my climber.  I bought a hand climber and have had no issues.

[lpcjon2]

Bend at the waist and you can cant the bow as needed.Practice from a stand in the yard at all directions. A when you put the stand up check shooting ability and trim a little as needed.

[ti-guy]

x2

[KentuckyTJ]

Thats why I only use lock on tree stands.

[Roughrider]

I don't put my stands quite as high as I used too,generally staying in the 16 - 22 feet height - to the foot platform.  Also, straight down shots are a little tougher as you usually have to put the bow crossways to your body, lean out, and watch the bottom limb of your bow.  Any ladder stand with "arm rests" really limit your shooting behind you - I usually remove the armrests, otherwise the bottom limb will hit them when you stand and turn to shoot behind you.

The upside is that you won't be sitting there holding a heavy, cold, metal bow.  The lightweight stick can be help in hand, rested on a boot toe, or hung on a nearby limb or small branch.

[Sam McMichael]

Also, I turn a bit side ways on the seat so that the left side of my body, the side I hold the bow on, is a bit further from the stand. This helps with clearance of the bottom limb.After you hunt with the longbow a while, it becomes second nature to allow for bottom limb clearance.

[dnovo]

I've been doing it so long, I don't even consider it. Second nature to know how to draw, watch clearance, and bend at the waist when necessary. I shoot from 64" to 68" bows from different stands and have no problems. Setting the stand the right way with reference to where shot is expected is an importane part of it.

[BowHunterGA]

Only have issues when shooting to my left. So, when I hunt from a stand I keep this in mind and try to position my climber so that the liklihood of a shot to my left is at a minimum. I shoot 68-72" longbows.

[joe ashton]

you definitely have to adapt to a long bow..but... It soon becomes just the normal set up.

[kahunter]

I found I had to make some real adjustments using a longbow this year, but I'm hoping to try out a Guido's Web next year and see if that helps.

[Biggamefish]

I only use open treestand like the open shot summit, lone wolfs are great to but expensive.  
  I always climb the tree and then stand with my bow in hand and do a full swing with the bow at shooting angles to see if I am going to hit any limbs etc,

[canoeman]

I've learned to adjust my safety harness so I have exactly enough line that I can lean out away from my stand and get a good shot.

[KAZ]

Good advice already given, however I would emphasize practicing & working through your particular scenario... Everyone is different in body type, height, chest size, arm length, etc... Of course, we need to bend at the waist to keep the same geometry of our shooting form from ground level to top treestand height AND for varying distances to the target. In addition you still need to get back to full-draw and proper alignment to get the best performance, accuracy, and forgiveness with your arrow set-up (spine)...

I've been in the same boat for several years with a 60" Recurve... My typical treestand height is about 15-17ft to the platform. I was good if the terrain was flat and the deer were 15 yards & further. If they were closer or the terrain had the angle steeper, I would have to do gyrations up in the stand to get the shot off. Not ideal! Every "remedy" I tried from bending to twisting to canting heavily ALL had negative effects and most led to bowstring or bottom limb interference with either chest or legs AND it was hard to get to full draw without interference... I finally searched for a shorter bow and all is well! No gyrations and no mental worries, just focus on my "spot" and let'er rip! I took the opportunity @Kazoo to draw & try 60", 58", 56", & 54" recurves... The 56" was pretty good, but the 54" resolved my issues completely! I now have a Black Widow 54"KB and it's short, smooth, and sweet! I'm 5'10" with fairly short arms 27.5" draw length, larger chest than average. I give all these details just to conclude that everyone is different so play around a little and figure out what YOU need. I received all kinds of great advice that just plain didn't work for me...

[eflanders]

Well you have probably already figured out that it is very hard to stay sitting when shooting out of most climbing stands.  This was the hardest thing for me to deal with as just the standing up extremely slowly to shoot was all the movement it took to spook most deer nearby.  This is just one of the many reasons that I now prefer to just sit on the ground in my ghillie.