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A graduate student at Texas A&M University, Adam McCroskie is working toward a master’s degree in accounting. Concurrently, he serves as a marketing representative for Heritage Premium Assignment Company in Rockwall, Texas. Outside of his schooling and work, Adam McCroskie enjoys deer hunting.
One of the most valuable tools in a deer hunter’s arsenal is a tree stand. A tree stand is a deer stand placed up in a tree, giving the hunter an ideal place to wait, with less risk of spooking the deer. These three tips will help you get the most out of your tree stands.
1. Don’t be a tree hunter
Remember, you are deer hunting, not tree hunting. Before you start looking for the perfect tree, find the deer. That perfect tree is useless if it is nowhere near the animals you are hunting. Once you have an idea of where the deer are, then start looking for the perfect tree.
2. Be mindful of wind
Even up in a tree, it is crucial to stay downwind of the deer so their well-honed sense of smell does not give away your location. Always factor the wind direction into choosing a stand. For this reason, it can pay to have multiple tree stands set up already, so you can switch should the wind change direction.
3. Ease of access
You should be able to reach your stand without giving your location away. Avoid stand sites that leave you stomping through a popular watering hole or bedding area. Opt for a tree that you can reach without alerting the deer, but still gives you a clear enough shot.
Adam McCroskie 