As a blackpowder hunter going for whitetailed deer in SE WA, I have had good success with tree stands (self-climber models). I try to find topographic funnels leading up from ponderosa pine-covered hillsides to the farm fields where deer feed at night, and put my stands there. A few times, though, I have seen lots of deer when holed up in the shadows of a hawthorn (on the ground), but then you have to be more careful with wind direction, and you don't have the same field of view. In my opinion, treestands are very effective for whitetails and blacktails (mule deer not so much)- but again- it all depends on your local situation.
Cheers to all- September can't get here fast enough!
