It is difficult to capture tree size in a picture. In this picture series are wooded creek bottom trees that will easily allow a deer stand 20 to 30+ feet high. That is measured from the tree base to the upper reaches capable of easily carrying the weight of a hunter. What we are attempting to picture here is that in many areas of Iowa, Missouri and Kansas, trees capable of deer stands range from not being available or may be too large in circumference for a climber or simply have too many limbs. In the case of this presentation we show typical trees are available for deer stand and some of the conditions that may be encountered.
The smooth trunk tree at the right will make for a 20 foot high stand easily accessible for a climbing stand. While it looks to be a thin trunk its actual diameter is about 18 to 20 inches. It also happened to be positioned as well as could be expected to cover the bottom of the dry creek bottom as well as high enough on the bank to provide observation of the fields on both sides of the creek. A bow hunter would have to clear shooting lanes through the underbrush while the firearms hunter would easily access the creek bottom and both fields once the foliage dropped.
This tree is huge in spite of how it looks in the picture. The trunk at its base takes more than a man's arms to reach around. It is also more typical of many trees to be encountered that is having a lot of limbs. This tree happens to be where the trails cross or the terrain canalizes deer movement in two directions and it is suitable for a lock-on for the firearms hunter and for most practical purpose ill suited for the bow hunter. It is also a tree for the more height capable hunter as the deer stand would have to placed rather high to gain observation on the field off the the left and most of the far side field. The need for the high stand is how low this tree is on the bank below the ridge line crest. A deer stand on this tree could easily be above 30 feet. In short we will recommend to the self guided deer hunter where to hunt by regions that more support long range rifle shooting or that of closed in bow huntable deer ground. However, once in that area that do it yourself deer hunter should have a selection of stands to accommodate trees of various types. |
