In addition to multiple options for shooting lanes, Adams looks for areas with openings that allow him to see 100 yards away and watch the animal come in. "Between the opening and the shooting lanes, make sure that there's some thick cover," he said. "That will allow you to change position and draw when the animal can't see you move."

When you're scouting, spend time to look for potential setups -- and bring a saw with you. Oftentimes, a little trimming before the season can turn an unusable spot into the ideal setup for an ambush.

"Position your stand so that the animals' natural travel path will bring them within range," offers Dale Denny of Bear Paw Outfitters in Washington. "Set up along trails, waterholes or feed sources, and your chances of getting a shot will be much better."

In addition to looking for areas that the animals frequently use, you must also be cognizant of the terrain that leads to your setup. The immediate area around you isn't all that's important for drawing elk and deer in close.

To bring them in, look farther out.

"Look for places where you would come in if you wanted to smell around and find out what was going on," Carlton said. "If there are long, wide open areas in front of you, they're going to be hesitant to cross it. Don't give them a reason to hang up. Make it comfortable for them to come right up to you."

The most important consideration for setups is options. The more you have from where you sit, the more you can adapt to what an animal does.

"Try to anticipate the animal's movements and prepare for them," Adams said. "Be able to move horizontally or vertically, not just in one direction. I pick a spot that gives me the most latitude to move. Then I'll kick away as much debris as possible so that when I do have to move, I can do it quietly."

Although movement is limited in tree stands, the ability to reposition within your space limitations is paramount to proper stand placement. Position your stand so that your best shooting lane is perpendicular to the place where you think the animal will most likely come from. That way, you'll have a good quartering shot if you're right. But what if you're not? Don't forget to look at the other visible angles from your stand and remove any obstacles that could possibly get in your way

Before you start calling, visualize the animal coming in from every conceivable opening, and practice moving to that shot. Know where you have a shot, and where you don't. If he comes in from the angle where there's no opening, don't push it. It's better to be patient and hope that he'll work his way into one of your shooting lanes than to force a shot where you've already determined you don't have one.

RULE NO. 3: Be Prepared
"Once I start calling, I have to assume that the animal is going to be coming in, and prepare for it," Carlton said. "They don't always make noise when they approach. And despite your best-laid plans, they will come in from where you least expect, and you'll have to react to that."

To react, you must be prepared. Because most preparations require movement -- and because when an animal is close, every movement you make increases the odds of spooking it -- make as many preparations as you can before calling.