You can set up your hard-sided blind at ground level or up on a platform. If you choose to elevate, how high should you go?

While there’s no one hard-and-fast rule, consider a few factors before building your platform to determine the best height for your hunting situation:

●Line of Sight: Depending on the terrain and setup, you can maximize your opportunities by adding a few feet between yourself and ground-level deer. If you know where they typically enter the area or feed, ensure you have a good view from the windows.

●Vegetation: Whether you’re on the edge of a well-maintained food plot, flourishing ag field, or thick, brushy woods, make sure you have a good vantage point from the blind.

●Weapon: Shot distance and angle can vary greatly from rifle to recurve, so set up your blind with a single weapon in mind.

●Scent & Concealment: At the right height and location, an elevated blind can help disperse scent higher and keep you out of the deer’s sight.

●Safety: The higher you go, the more you’ll have to take precautions to ensure your blind stays secure in windy conditions. The higher the platform, the greater the fall risk too.

●Setup: Setting up a sizable blind gets slightly more challenging the higher you build your platform, so make sure you’re well-equipped.

Some hunters opt for just a few feet off the ground, while others approach treestand heights. But between 5 and 10 feet works well for most hunters.