How far do you set up off deer trail

[valleysniper]

I usually set my stands up for a 15 yd shot myself

[yeager]

Like you, I prefer 15 yards and a max of around 25.

[ron w]

I try for 10 to20, depends on the wind and the set up.

[Lee Lobbestael]

I try to set up 5-10 yards from the trail

[Wudstix]

15-18 yards 

[fujimo]

about 5 max 10 for us, but the bush is so thick- you wouldnt see or have a clear shot any further than that.
longest shot i have killed a deer here, has been 12 yards- seemed like miles to me- average shot distance- 5 to 6 yards.
 biggest issue i have taking mates hunting here, is to get them to practice at 5 yards before we go hunting- some do- and they do ok , those that snub the idea- usually end up shooting over their backs
its a completely different style of shooting, all on the ground, very close quarters, and a tracking dog with me all the time- and really, really big bears here- that come to the deer call just as easily as the deer.

[Bowguy67]

Guys idk bout your area but setting up “on a trail” in my area would be very amateur. The existing trails are normally where deer enter farm fields at night. I’ve shot very few anywhere near a trail instead using fallen trees, lay of land, oak trees, etc etc to figure where to position. I like 10-15 yards from an expected use area but can go further.
I will also say I’ve used the same techniques in many surrounding states as well as the Midwest successfully never once considering a “trail” as a key spot

[Recurve7]

15-18yds is my comfort zone!

[valleysniper]

Ive shot plenty of decent bucks off of trails. Where i live in the midwest the trails follow the lay of the land . does follow the trails and the bucks are following them even outside of therut. I'll give you once the chase is on all bets are off

[hvyhitter]

I like to set up for a 15 to 20 yd shot. Better chance for a broadside from a treestand. Arrow is out of paradox and flying straight. 20 years ago I would take shots at 10 or under and get marginal hits as arrow would kick at impact and limit penetration. That was also with a heavy bow and heavy arrows...…….. YMMV

[valleysniper]

That does make sense . I just thought closer should be a slam dunk

[ron w]

  There are no slam dunks.........just when you think it's a done deal, something can go wrong real fast.

[Terry Green]

Hello,  I'm Terry Green, an amateur deer killing trail hunting addict.

I'm looking for some one to finance my processing fees for when I don't have time to butcher due to my next trail adventure. 

 The trail will tell you how far to set up if you let it.....

 More importantly set yourself up so you are out of line of sight of the deer or bears or hogs.... Such as the inside of a curve of the trail..... At the point where the  Animal has to look up or down due to the trail Having a  Steep up or down Hill characteristic...

 And setting up in the thick part of the woods(thicket border) so the animal will be checking the open areas......

You can also create an out of line of sight ambush by placing brush on the trail strategically that it must go around the outside of you... and once it returns to the trail its sight is further ahead as it has already cleared that area...

 You can also use the same procedure to pinch two trails together so that both are in range.

 If you can find a trail in a funnel that's even better.... But not necessarily a requirement.

I gotta run if I think of anything else I'll come back.

[Terry Green]

hvyhitter.... Sounds like you have a serious tuning problem if you can't pass through animals at 10 yards.  You need to look into that.

[arrow30]

im a trail hunter also, as close as I can get without detection. close to bedding or feeding area. most all my kills have been on trails. some on trails I made for deer to follow to my ambush. I really like that 6-7 yd. shot.

[imbowhunt10]

X2 Arrow30 that has always been my same setup, including the homemade ambush trail......


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[Terry Green]

ARROW...You bet,  I like to make trails through thickets and have them exit near other trails that border the thicket..... It's amazing what you can do with a machete and some pruning shears.

[Friend]

I spend hours up hours this time of year hinge cutting, blocking, diverting, generating new trails and revisiting prior year's work.

I typically work to generate three primary trails that all three pass within 18 yards of my ground set and still maimtain the original trail destination. Often times all three trails are worn to the dirt by mid summer. Some of these trails may haveup to 60 yards from the single main trail that was determined to be the ground set focal point. After years of continous develoment of this process, I have gone from passing up several solid shot opprtunities at bucks to nearly fifty a season...14 yrd average and only few at 20 yards were considered.


One of my previous professional traditional bowhunters, the only person featured in North American Whitetail seven times, lives and dies by trails. He has taught me much yet there is far more that i still don't know as he his reads on a trail are far more advanced than my own.

[Sam McMichael]

I do what so many have stated. I try for 15 to 20 yards. I try not to cut out too much growth to make a shooting lane but will alter the setup if necessary. Generally, I set up where the deer are already going, which is easy to do since I have my own property and am very familiar with it. Like Terry said, the trail and the deer will tell you the best stand location.

[bucknut]

I'm 15 also. 25 is about my max range and this allows me to be able to shoot anything in the vicinity of my anticipated ambush point. And yes that does include trails.