Questions about shooting from a tree

[joshk-k]

Hi all!

I spent today climbing trees, an activity I did a lot as a kid and adolescent, through college, but have not done in about three years. What I'm talking about is "recreational tree climbing," the use of equipment, techniques, and skills developed by arborists and tree workers, but doing it for fun instead of for work. Using ropes and harnesses to climb trees that would not be normally climbable otherwise. (see wwwtreeclimbing.com for more info)

Today I reconnected with an old friend and instructor and some other friends for a work party/climbing session at a grove they're starting nearby. I got an opportunity to set my ropes about 75' up a beautiful oak, and spend the next few hours among her branches, up near the sky. Awesome. Especially after not having done it for so long.

As I was up there, watching the birds and squirrels, and cattle off in the distance, I thought about hunting from such a position, perched way up in a tree you climbed. It's like a tree stand, but higher. It seems you could come and set your ropes a few days in advance, and then just arrive, hook on your harness, get up the tree, and pull up your ropes behind you. Great 360 degree observation post.

A few questions: If you were hanging in a harness from a rope, what would it be like to shoot a hunting rifle? From a physics sort of standpoint, what would the recoil make your dangling body do? I guess it makes more sense to rest it in a crotch or something. How do you have to adjust your sight hold to account for the downward angle? Any other thoughts on this?

Thanks,
Josh

 

[Justin]

At this year's Superstition Mountain 3 Gun match, they had a stage where you had to engage targets with a rifle after being hung a few feet off the ground via a parachute harness.

First off, there was no way to get a proper sight picture through the scope of the rifle.

Secondly, recoil management wasn't that big of an issue with .223.

Thirdly, inorder to rotate, you had to bend your knees so your feet were against the wall, and the push with you right/left foot to rotate. trying to rotate from the waist was not helpful.

Lastly, I can't imagine hanging from a hatness like that for any great length of time. It would get tiring fairly quickly.

 

[joshk-k]

That is helpful info. I have no problem being in the harness all day. The gear is designed for people who are using it professionally (tree workers, etc). I was more concerned about things like sight picture, recoil, etc. I think it'd be really hard to pull off a follow up shot if you needed, if you're swinging from the recoil from the shot before. Sitting up on a high branch with another for a rest seems more plausible.

Thanks anyway.

Josh

 

[3:00hold]

You only need to adjust your shot so that the bullet hits the vitals, meaning if the animal is more or less directly below you, you would not want to aim for the same spot on the hide as if it was 100 yards away.

Trajectory wise, no tree is tall enough to make a difference. As the range increases, the difference of the angle (between being in a tree or not) decreases. By the time the animal is far enough away to matter, the difference is practically zero.

 

[Pyzon]

In regards to Whitetail deer from a tree stand, seldom do they pay any attention to you unless they see movement or hear noise, even when only 10-15 feet off the ground, so I really doubt the extra effort to climb way up to be of much benefit.

But, I'm almost 60 now, so it's been a long time since I've been way up high in a really tall tree, but I do remember well just how cool it was...... way back when............and for sure I wish I had done a lot more of things like that.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

There would be no reason not use every available stable option; bracing against branches, trunk, slinging the rifle, etc. Another problem would be wind swaying the tree. You'd have to be practiced in "snap" shots, or utilizing a quick let off as your muzzle swept a target while aiming from a swaying tree. Sniping from trees was common for Japanese snipers in WWII, but the problem was then getting away. Once his shots were taken, the recipients of his fire would be hot on his tail, and it would only be a matter of time before shots were coming back at the sniper. Of course, many Japanese did not fear death, as it was so customary and honorable to die for the Empire, so they may have just figured that they had divine protection, or their death was meant to be. Sniping tactics for U.S. troops has always been "Live to fight another day", so U.S. snipers don't use trees. As far as hunting, most of the game doesn't shoot back, so trees would be o.k.