if you use lock on stands and ladder sections that don't join together, you can offset them to go around those lower branches that give you cover and not have to go as high. without trimming any lower branches I was better concealed at lower heights, felt safer at 10-15', and the tree would not sway as much. the ground is a lot softer down here (less rocks) and I've increased my respect for height/gravity as I've gotten older and try to keep heights at a limit I think I could survive a fall ( without too big a chance of injury). even 8-10' off the ground will increase your field of view tremendously.
I go 20' on my hanger.
My climber 20' to 22'
My ladder is only 18'
So I try to stay 22' and under.
get you some of thoes cover sticks with leefs on them.
like fake X-Tree arms. Just in camo Cabela's sells them.
I've shot deer from 10' to 30'. Allot of times going to high is worse as you'll stand out in the skyline.
