The Perfect Hunting Tree
Hunting out of a tree helps stack the odds a little more in your favor. Every year, hunters around the country work to find that perfect tree that will help them put a big old stinky buck on the ground. Though the perfect tree may not actually exist, we’ve found a few things that are common to all good tree stands.
Location
Location, location, location. It all starts with finding the right spot. Spend time scouting in the offseason, using maps and boots on the ground to identify deer trails and useful terrain features like creek beds, saddles and draws that will help with easy access and will also funnel the deer. We’ve seen especially good movement on the edge of thick brush that connects bedding with a food source.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, however. Find a few key sites that give you options when the wind shifts, your buck’s patterns change or when hunting pressure intensifies.
Trees
Ideally, your tree will be within shooting distance from the trail or pinch point you’ve identified. Find trees that are thick enough to support your weight and conceal your outline but small enough to get tree straps around. Be aware of the tree’s bark. Black cherries, for example, have chip-like bark, which is loud and crumbles easily - not ideal when the moment of truth arrives.
Our favorite two types of trees are oaks and pines. Aside from being a natural food source, oaks seem to provide great cover and a comfortable sit. Pines also offer ideal cover as well as the added benefit of that fresh pine cover scent.
Cover
Speaking of cover… it’s crucial when you’re hanging 20’ up in a tree. Take care to ensure your silhouette is broken up by either finding a tree with thick cover or creating some of your own. We prefer to hang from clusters of trees, which will often provide cover even when the leaves have dropped.
Don’t miss out on a great spot just because you haven’t found the perfect tree. Get creative. A rule of thumb for us is the less cover we have, the higher we hang our sets. Conversely, places like Michigan’s cedar swamps often don’t have trees that are very tall. In those situations, we’ll only hang a few feet off the ground and will use the cedar tree’s thick cover to our advantage.
Everyone’s “perfect tree” will vary slightly and usually it’s pretty unique to one’s specific situation and hunting style. Take the time to scout and to consider your location, your tree and the cover you’ve got and you’ll be off to a great start.