Without question, we prefer hanging high in a tree from a tree sling while bowhunting. However, the ability to adjust to ever changing circumstances is a virtue in archery hunting and we do not limit ourselves to this method. In fact, in many circumstances it must be considered a disadvantage.

In our combined 65 years of bowhunting, we have encountered hundreds of tree stands 10 to 14 feet high in trees that offer minimal cover. Living in a state with extreme hunting pressure, we have a hard time imagining a good buck being taken from such stands. A whitetail's peripheral vision is keen and in most areas we hunt mature deer that actually look for hunters in trees. On hunts in less pressured areas, we have not witnessed this type of behavior.

If the specific hunting location doesn't offer sufficient trees to hunt from properly, we will hunt from the ground. When hunting from the ground at eye level, we are more apt to get noticed without proper concealment.

In 2003, John took a 12-point while hanging in a tree-saddle 30 feet up in a crooked oak. While the property owner and his cousin were helping John drag his trophy out, they asked where John was sitting. After seeing the tree with the steps still in it, they could not believe that anyone would hunt that high. We had seen several of their stands and couldn't believe they could hunt that low and exposed and still be successful. Their stands were on average about 12 feet off the ground. Their cousin had moderate success while hunting excellent locations, but complained about getting picked off a lot. The point is that they would be better off hunting higher and less exposed or hunting from the ground if they were afraid of heights, which many hunters are and do not want to admit.

Eye-Level Hunting
In some situations, hunting from the ground is the only option. Clear-cuts, cattail marshes, wet swampy areas with interspersed dead trees, CRP fields and standing corn are the most common places where huntable trees are simply not available. While all of these locations are likely bedding areas, the clear-cuts, standing corn, and CRP fields will also be likely feeding areas.

Marshes and swamps should be scouted and set up during early spring. They will have travel routes through them that look like a maze of highways. The off-season scouting time will allow you to spend as much time as needed without fear of spooking deer. Wet swamps will often have small dry islands that are perfect bedding locations. The runways through the tall stuff generally remain the same year after year. The only exception would be during years with an overabundance of rain that leaves no dry ground.

Entry and exit points will often have available trees, however, the runways are usually 20 to 40 yards apart. Hunting the edge puts you in a situation where only one or two runways can be targeted. More often than not, several runways will merge in the interior and that is where you want to be. Multiple sign is always preferred over singular sign.

Pick a spot 15 yards to the side of the most converging runways. In that spot, clear out a three-foot circle down to the bare dirt. Make two 18-inch wide lanes in a V shape to the runways by bending over the cattails or weeds 12 inches off the ground. Do not clear these lanes down to the bare dirt. They should be about four yards apart where they meet the runways. One lane is a sight lane, and the other a shooting lane.