Hunting From a Tree Stand - How Shooting Downward Affects Trajectory with Big Bores

[Ezana4CE]

I've been considering adding a tree stand to my hunting repertoire. It's something I've been thinking about since last year. I'm specifically think of this in regard to hunting deer. As I expand my hunting knowledge, I'm interested in considering hunting from a tree stand. I prefer to be on the ground and have the ability to maneuver and stalk a deer when necessary. Beating them on the ground just seems like it is more rewarding because I'm not trying to eliminate their use of scent. As I thought about it more, I realize that the more I focus on buck hunting, I'm not just competing with the deer. I also compete with other hunters.

With that said I'm wondering how shooting at a downward angle with affect my shot trajectory. More specifically, how does it affect hold under and maybe hold over)? I would think that hunting from a stand I'd be able to take more close range shots within say 25 yards or so. On the ground it been more like 35- 65 yard shots. Should I be focused on zeroing my rifle at a closer range? If it shoots pretty flat at ground level, can I expect the same shooting from around 15' - 20' above ground level? Advice from experienced hunters would be appreciated. If you can point me towards good published information specific to big bore air rifles, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks in advance to all that respond with pertinent information.

 

[Spartan]

I do a lot of tree stand deer hunting. If you are in a tree stand that is a typical 15-25ft high, the difference in trajectory angle is negligible. Technically, the only range that matters is the horizontal range from the base of the tree to the deer. When you are 20 ft up, if you use a range finder, the range will indicate slightly father since you are at an angle, but the projectile drop will correspond to whatever the value is from the base of the tree. That can be a big deal if you are 400ft up on a cliff, but matters very little in a tree stand.

It's also worth noting that since you are higher up, when the projectile enters the deer it is on a down angle, especially if the deer is quite close. So aiming a bit higher on the vitals is advised so the projectile will pass through the center of the deer's vitals (hopefully hitting both lungs) instead of passing through the lower half due to the angle.

Hope that helps. Good luck.

 

[N2 Shooter]

When shooting up or down, you have less gravity to contend with, so generally you'll hold under a tad, but it's hard to say how much under without doing the Ballistics.

 

[Spartan]

....so generally you'll hold under a tad....

That's a big mistake when shooting from an elevated position at closer ranges. Will end up with a deer hit in the brisket and both lungs unscathed.

Here's a great video on shot placement. Watch it through. Towards the end he discusses elevated shots and why angles are so important. He's discussing archery, but angles apply just the same for a slug, especially an airgun slug.

 

[Ezana4CE]

...It's also worth noting that since you are higher up, when the projectile enters the deer it is on a down angle, especially if the deer is quite close. So aiming a bit higher on the vitals is advised so the projectile will pass through the center of the deer's vitals (hopefully hitting both lungs) instead of passing through the lower half due to the angle.

Hope that helps. Good luck.

@Spartan This is an area of concern. I'm trying to figure a good approach to this with big bores. I've been paying close attention to archery techniques as of late. At a closer range do I still have to worry about the deer dipping down in response to sound from me or the gun under certain circumstances (like disengaging the safety or the report)? I'll check out your video when I have time. Thank you.

 

[Vetmx]

It only matters if you are using a pistol. And yes, kill zones shrink the higher you are. But it’s nothing with a scoped weapon.

 

[Spartan]

@Spartan This is an area of concern. I'm trying to figure a good approach to this with big bores. I've been pay close attention to archery techniques as of late. At a cluster range do I still have to worry about the deer dipping down in response to sound from me or the gun under certain circumstances (like disengaging the safety or the report)? I'll check out your video when I have time. Thank you.

If your gun is shooting over 500fps at the muzzle then the deer dipping down will not be a concern. The slug will arrive before they can duck down. But yes, you will need to be quiet with the safety when they are close. Any clicks and they will look right up and bust you. I typically take the safety off at the first indication that deer are approaching and I do it very quietly. Sometimes using multiple fingers and moving the safety very slowly will help to do it silently.

 

[Ezana4CE]

It only matters if you are using a pistol. And yes, kill zones shrink the higher you are. But it’s nothing with a scoped weapon.

@Vetmx I'm definitely a lung shooter. So that reduced footprint when viewing from above is definitely worth noting. Thank you.

 

[ray1377]

I've been considering adding a tree stand to my hunting repertoire. It's something I've been thinking about since last year. I'm specifically think of this in regard to hunting deer. As I expand my hunting knowledge, I'm interested in considering hunting from a tree stand. I prefer to be on the ground and have the ability to maneuver and stalk a deer when necessary. Beating them on the ground just seems like it is more rewarding because I'm not trying to eliminate their use of scent. As I thought about it more, I realize that the more I focus on buck hunting, I'm not just competing with the deer. I also compete with other hunters.

With that said I'm wondering how shooting at a downward angle with affect my shot trajectory. More specifically, how does it affect hold under and maybe hold over)? I would think that hunting from a stand I'd be able to take more close range shots within say 25 yards or so. On the ground it been more like 35- 65 yard shots. Should I be focused on zeroing my rifle at a closer range? If it shoots pretty flat at ground level, can I expect the same shooting from around 15' - 20' above ground level? Advice from experienced hunters would be appreciated. If you can point me towards good published information specific to big bore air rifles, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks in advance to all that respond with pertinent information.

I'm sure you already know this but it can't be stressed enough. The joys of hunting can suddenly come to an abrupt halt if your aren't prepared. So by all means, if your thinking about using a tree stand do yourself and your family a favor and invest in a really good safety harness. It's like insurance. You hope you never need it but when you have to use it you will be glad you did. Good luck and be sure and post your hunting adventures for all of us
Thx
Ray

 

[Ezana4CE]

@ray1377 For sure. And thanks for reiterating that. Hunters training stressed that, as do books and articles I’ve been reading. It’s even mentioned in many videos. I’m too old to fall out of a tree thinking I will fare as well as I did when I fell out of trees as a boy. A new safety harness is in the cards.

 

[rcs9250]

Here is a screen shot from an Applied Ballistics video I had by the ballistics guru
Bryan Litz.

 

[Ezana4CE]

@rcs9250 Looks like what @N2 Shooter said in post #3. Can you share a link to the video?

 

[N2 Shooter]

@ray1377 For sure. And thanks for reiterating that. Hunters training stressed that, as do books and articles I’ve been reading. It’s even mentioned in many videos. I’m too old to fall out of a tree thinking I will fare as well as I did when I fell out of trees as a boy. A new safety harness is in the cards.

So last year I decided to gear up for deer bow season from a tree stand.
I spent a lot of time researching different stands and harnesses, and this is what I ended up buying. Unfortunately, I just didn't get the time to put it to use, and went out a few times on public land with my pop-up blind, and I was not successful. Maybe this year will afford me the time to try again.

 

[Ezana4CE]

@N2 Shooter Hopefully this year it does. Please share what you can about your experience setting up your stand and hunting from it with an airgun if you decide to hunt from it into firearms season (that's when a lot of states allow deer hunting with airguns). I'm not asking that you document it all here considering I know how large of a time commitment that is. Whatever you can share I would appreciate it. I actually counted the other day. It looks like about half of the United States (around 25) have adopted some sort of legislation allowing deer hunting with air rifles.

Edit: I just checked. Y'all can't legally hunt whitetails with airguns yet. I'm still interested in your stand setup.

 

[rcs9250]

@rcs9250 Looks like what @N2 Shooter said in post #3. Can you share a link to the video?

It was about 5 to 7 years ago but to the best of my knowledge the video came with APLIED BALLISTICS FOR LONG RANGE SHOOTING (second edition).
Would not surprise me if the video is somewhere on youtube. Maybe google search Bryan Litz shooting uphill and downhill. The book of course was focussed on powder burners and a lot of ballistic physics AND a ton of ballistics for many many bullets shooters use.

 

[Ezana4CE]

@rcs9250 I will look into this. Thank you for the reference to your source.

 

[N2 Shooter]

@N2 Shooter Hopefully this year it does. Please share what you can about your experience setting up your stand and hunting from it with an airgun if you decide to hunt from it into firearms season (that's when a lot of states allow deer hunting with airguns). I'm not asking that you document it all here considering I know how large of a time commitment that is. Whatever you can share I would appreciate it. I actually counted the other day. It looks like about half of the United States (around 25) have adopted some sort of legislation allowing deer hunting with air rifles.

Edit: I just checked. Y'all can't legally hunt whitetails with airguns yet. I'm still interested in your stand setup.

Yeah, my setup was for crossbow.

 

[Nealgl1985]

If you are shooting 20 yards or further you shouldnt have to worry about angles. I like shooting from an elevated position because the exit will be on the low side and will start dropping blood quicker than if the exit was higher up in my experience. It makes it easier if there's any tracking involved. I'm normally hunting with archery equipment, but a hole is a hole. Don't forget to aim for your exit. Good luck out there.