The kill zone gets tougher to hit with higher elevation

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As we are entering the final stages of the 2025 Indiana deer hunting seasons, I received a pretty good question from a beginning deer hunter. He wanted to know, “When it comes to hunting from a hang-on stand or ladder stand, how high is too high?”

That is a really good question, and I will make an attempt to answer it as best I can. Bear in mind, this is my opinion, and it can vary according to other hunters and their opinions.

A few years ago, there was a survey taken, and it concluded more than 90 percent of deer hunters preferred hunting from elevated positions and stands. One of the popular reasons was the hunter wanted to be above the deer’s line of sight and smell, so the hunters made crude, heavy stands constructed of lumber and nailed them on tree limbs and then hoped a deer would come within shooting range.

As time passed, manufacturers of portable tree stands and ladder stands captured the market. You could locate your stand in one place and be able to relocate it to a more favorable location with very little effort.

Portable tree stands were attached to trees with cables, ratchet straps, and in some cases, even attached with eyebolts. The same went for ladder stands that attached to the side of the tree and directing the standing platform the direction you believed the deer would approach.

The strap on stands had to be used with crank-in steps screwed into the bark of the tree to enable the hunter to climb up to the attached stand platform. These types of climbing aids are not allowed on state-owned property if it penetrates the bark over 1/2 inch. The ladder stand and platform can be assembled and leaned against the tree and attached with a ratchet strap around the tree and tightened for security.

I need to address another safety factor for any type of elevated hunting and that is using a fall restraint device. It is advisable to use a safety belt or safety harness that attaches to the tree and to your body to prevent you from accidentally falling. One of the leading causes of hunting injuries is falling from a tree stand.

Also, you need to use a haul line to raise and lower your weapon from the ground to the stand. You never want to climb up or down carrying your weapon.

Now, to answer the question. When I was younger, I had pretty good strength in my legs, and climbing up and down tree steps and ladders was easy. It was not unusual for me to hunt 20-25 feet off the ground. I felt safer being above the deer’s line of sight, above their normal scent range, and of course, out of the line of fire from hunters shooting parallel to the ground.

I was hardly ever detected because, at the time, the deer was not expecting danger from above. I felt safe because I checked the condition of my stands and made certain all the nuts and bolts were good, the attachment straps were in good condition, and my fall restraint device was acceptable.

As far as an acceptable height standard, it depends a lot on the individual. The most important thing I feel is overlooked is, the higher you hunt, it changes the angle of the desired kill zone. Shot placement becomes reduced and compromised. Every hunter knows what the kill zone is. The most important consideration is the ability to place an arrow or bullet within the zone to quickly and ethically dispatch the deer. The closer you are to ground level, the larger that kill zone is, and it is easier to make shot placement. The higher you hunt, the smaller than kill zone will be.

As I have gotten older, I no longer have the strength in my legs. I have had issues with lower back injuries, hip issues, and knee issues and just cannot do what I used to be able to do. So, while I still like to hunt from elevated positions, I am now hunting how I feel confident, and that is usually 15-16 feet high.

I know some of my hunting buddies are hunting six to eight feet off the ground, but I prefer at least 15 feet. I make my movements slowly and when the deer is not looking in my direction. And I am still filling my freezer.

What do I feel is the best height to hunt? Whatever you are most comfortable with. I suggest you practice shooting at that choice of height well before the hunting season. Wear your fall restraint device, use your haul line, and enjoy your hunt.