What do you do when the tree is too close?

by Oct 18, 2012Uncategorized

What do you do when the tree is too close?

Folks, I need some advice.

Dad put up a new tree seat in a new secret spot. Its fantastic. I climbed up there last weekend and sat for a few minutes. It’s another pimped out seat with a bar that comes down over me like a ride at the fair. It’s a little tighter of a fit than my other seat but it will work. Here is my concern: the open shooting lanes are on my right. I am right handed and right eye dominant. The tree is a little too close to my back and shoulder if I need to turn to the right to shoot. The last thing I want is for my gun to kick back and me not be able to go back with it. What should I do?

5 Comments

  1. I would down-size the cartridge, borrowing a smaller gun if needed. Many young or disabled people comfortably and effectively shoot 410 and 20 gauge slugs at big game. A small or short cartridge will allow you to fire from unusual positions. You can even buy a low recoil cartridge. Furthermore, do not get too cold because you will lose flexibility in your joints. I once had two swollen and bruised fingers from holding the forearm and firing during severe cold weather.

    • Awesome! Thanks for the suggestions. I don't know about getting a smaller gun at this point, but staying warm will be key this fall.

  2. One thing that we ahve done in the past is rotate the stand to ensure a right handed shot can be made. Set the stand so that your left shoulder is closest to the tree when the shooting, that will help wiht your confidence, not worrying about that right shoulder being against the tree.

    Hope this helps.

  3. I agree with Travis. I'd move the stand a bit so that you have room. You don't want to tense up while you're afraid of getting hurt and make a poor shot.

  4. yup…rotate the stand. its a pain when looking for deer if you can't face your lane dead on, but far better to be comfy when it matters most…taking the shot.

You May Also Enjoy…

Hunt the Rut

I found this cool article today about deer moving around in the rut. Do you agree? Hunt the Rut

Prologue: I should have listened to myself

On Thursday night, before our big outing with Brian, Dad and I sighted in our new shotgun.  We paced out 30 yards and started shooting at our make-shift turkey heads. Dad shooting at 30 yards. Dad's pattern. My pattern. My comment to Dad after I took two shots at...

I am going to hunt geese!

Photo from Ducks.org While drinking coffee and reading the latest issue of Ducks Unlimited, I decided that I want to shoot a goose.  I know nothing about it; not what type of gun and ammo to use or how close I need to be.  I did learned that the season in...

Recent Posts

Meet The Author

Erin Merrill, author of And a Strong Cup of Coffee, is president of Women of the Maine Outdoors, a senior writer for Drury Outdoors, a contributor to the Northwoods Sporting Journal and passionate all things Maine, Hunting, and the Outdoors.

LEARN MORE >>