Lost vs found

[stringunner]

Reading RJ's newest topic on the other page got me thinking, for all you tree stand hunting gurus, what is the typical distance you can shoot from from most of your stands? And do you think tree stand hunters loose as many game animals as hunting from the ground?

Most of my stands have an average shot distance of 20-30 yards, usually to the water or main trail I'm set up on. I have shot them as far as 30 and straight down from 25 feet above.

With the exception of a bear this year (definitely a lethal shot just was unable to recover) all the game I have shot (hit) from my stands have all been recovered. Do you think those in stands recover more game because our shots are closer and the game are less wary (if that is even a true statement)? Not trying start a debate that presumes shot distance is directly related to recovered vs not recovered, we all know shots can be poor or go south for a variety of reasons. Just curious to other thoughts on this.

[Swede]

My guess would be the tree stand hunters recover more game than their counterparts on the ground. Rarely is game suspicious of a predator being around. They are usually, but not always more relaxed. The tree stand hunter can often be more selective in his/her shot. The critter is not looking for a caller, or anything else. In addition the shot distance is often closer. Just my thought. I have no real evidence.

[Swede]

Fellow W.T. campers, I copied this thread, onto the elk hunting forum. I am sure I am not the only person with an opinion on this subject. Here is an opportunity to state your goofy case why I am wrong.

[Elkhunttoo]

I will take a shot at why you are wrong ...

My brother shot a bull several years ago at 6-7 yards at a water hole. Wasn't in a tree stand but ground blind and so maybe the tree stand would of been the difference . Bull was completely relaxed and his shot was right on the money. He said when the arrow hit him it sounded like he hit a board with a hammer. He dead centered a rib and He only got about 8-9 inches of penetration. The bull went about 800-900 yards with only hitting the one lung. He was by himself, gave him a couple hours and then looked most of the night and all of the next day until we could get there to help him. We found him around 5 pm about 24 hours after the shot, thick nasty terrain didn't help with the recovery but, I guess Is what I'm saying is... even when things are set up to what seems to be perfect there are so many variables with a big animal that things can go wrong no matter what.

Of course you already know that but that's me taking a shot at telling you your wrong

As for my opinion, I would think it would be a little higher in stands or blinds then it is on calling

[olympushunt]

I dunno about this correlation guys. Is there a correlation between eating apples every day and having your truck engine go over 200 thousand miles? Beats me.
I think it is easier to correlate amount of hours practiced shooting and recovering animals, or heavy arrows Vs light arrows, or distance shot, or deer Vs elk. Something more tangible? You put an arrow in the animal's vitals either on the ground or in a tree, the results should be good. That being said...lol I think the tree stand lends to more well placed shots into said vitals. As mentioned before, the animals are "typically" closer, less wary and positioned better. We have lots of stands where the animals seem to come along the trail to water or whatever and come by your tree broadside. So on that basis I think your odds of getting into the "found" category are better. I think I just contradicted myself with this.
My typical distance is 15-25 yards with 20 being my fav. First pin, hold behind shoulder, squeeeeeeeze, drill hole then rinse and repeat.

[saddlesore]

I doubt it. I think it is reflected on how good the hunter is. A good hunter can sneak up to a bedded bull elk on the ground, a poor hunter is going to be making noise or screwing up the shot.

[stringunner]

I think I just contradicted myself with this.

Yeah, pretty much just made my whole point for me. And I agree with what you have written.

[olympushunt]

I think I tend to be as clear as a good elk wallow. LOL!!!

[Beendare]

My guess would be the tree stand hunters recover more game than their counter parts on the ground. Rarely is game suspicious of a predator being around. They are usually, but not always more relaxed. The tree stand hunter can often be more selective in his/her shot. The critter is not looking for a caller, or anything else. In addition the shot distance is often closer. Just my thought. I have no real evidence.

^^ I totally agree.

The vantage a treestand gives you has the many advantages you mentioned. Plus most guys won't even attempt 50,60,70 yd shots...or they aren't feasible as trees are in the way....from a TS.