tree stand vs Ground hunting

[Martinhunter]

I bought a tree stand for the early hunt in September but I do not like it, its hard to get in and out of. So for late season I was planning on hunting out of a ground blind. Just wondering if one or the other is more affective. Should I stick to the tree stand?

[SpokaneSlayer]

I hunted out of a ground blind during the early archery season.  Saw lots of deer, including 3 bucks, as close as 15 yds.  We had scouted this spot for 2 months and had a trail cam set up so we knew what was there.  I also had my blind up htere for a good week or so prior to opening day.  I blew 2 oppurtunities at a 3x2 and a 4x4 WT.  As far is one effective more than the other, I wouldn't know.  I've only hunted out of a tree stand once and didn't see anything.  I do prefer the ground blind though. 

[provider]

"There are those that use tree stands...  and then there are those that hunt"

[Skyvalhunter]

I take it you are hunting whitetail?  I have hunted out of a treestand a few times for mulies but I get way too ansy and have to do some hiking. But as you know if you have those whities patterned right you can score nice out of a tree stand. Some guys I know that take real nice whitetails are hunting them where its thick and get above the trails in a stand. They do their calling and rattling which a treestand offers a good place to do this from. But those big boys are have a tendency to be somewhat nocturnal until the rut comes around. Of coarse this varies from area to area and state. I do like the aspect of getting a different perspective on the lay of the land which a treestand offers. Got out and did a quick treestand hunt last night for some blacktail calling and hunting with no luck. But thats all part of hunting. Best of luck to you in which ever method you choose.

[backyard bucks]

IMHO..
there is nothing like a tree stand for blacktails if you do your research and find the deer and figure out their patterns.. just my 

[Machias]

   "There are those that use tree stands...  and then there are those that hunt"   Whatever!

There is a real art at sucessful treestand hunting.  I'm strictly talking big whitetail bucks.  If your not seeing deer within bow range you'll need to spend more time scouting and finding those funnel areas.  The big boys seldom travel the heavy trails that the young bucks and does do.  I love being right above deer so close you can see their eyelashes and they have no clue your standing there watching them.  Good luck.

[bow4elk]

I bought a tree stand for the early hunt in September but I do not like it, its hard to get in and out of. So for late season I was planning on hunting out of a ground blind. Just wondering if one or the other is more affective. Should I stick to the tree stand?

One is not better than the other; they are just different modes of hunting.  There are pros and cons to both.  "Still hunting" is different than "blind" or "treestand" hunting, as is "drives".  There is really no point in arguing that one is better than the other.  For example, I wouldn't pack all my treestands on a waterhole antelope hunt (I'd pack one, just in case there was a phone pole or suitable tree though).  Nor would I pack a ground blind on a bike-in elk hunt.

[backyard bucks]

very true bow.
different techniques for different hunting situations. each has a place and a time.

[burnhamrandr]

I lived in western wa all my life until 5 years ago and I have found out for the whities the tree stand is the way to go. I have never had the will to stay in one spot for very long until I walked all day and saw a few deer, then the next day I got up in the stand and the woods came alive. I have killed some pretty nice bucks from the stand. For blackies and mullies it seems not to work as well, spot and stalk is the way to go for them, but for whities if you can find a scrape line throw up a stand and you will be amazed for sure

[bow4elk]

I've hunted daylight to dark in treestands multiple days in a row during the peak rut in the midwest.  It's brutally difficult but can pay big.  I generally hunt 2-4 hour stints, morning and evening.  I would be hunting mid-day right now if I could.  I'd have my stand in or as close to a known bedding area as possible and do some calling.

[firecrotch]

i used both treestand and groundblind this year... i really like both for different purposes. i have found that the ground blind holds your scent just a little bit better.  also ground blinds are a little more forgiving if you happen to make noise. opening day of archery season i had a 1x2 buck rubbing on my blind while i was sitting in it! talk about adrenaline rush! whats great about a treestand is that you can see out much farther than a ground blind, i found that being on the ground there is a lot more to obstruct your view (which plays a big part into the shot) when i was in the treestand everything is much more open. what is the most important part into all of this is the shot placement, thats what this all comes down to, and when your in a blind most of the time unless your elevated you are shooting upward. this makes shot placement harder than shooting downward when your in a treestand. when your in a treestand there is less of a percentage of missing a vital when shooting down, opens up the kill zone.

[stumprat]

From the sound of it your treestand is not a climber. If it is not then you limit yourself to 1 spot. I use a climber with good success and also for predator calling.
But I also use a ground blind. Depends on the area. My ground blind is just a cheapo from Cabelas. I think they have them on sale now for $59.99. I bought both for predator hunting and now really like them for deer and elk hunts in the right situation.

[Martinhunter]

thanks everyone for the response to my post. I'm thinking of just sticking to my stand, I'll be able to see much more area that way. Cant wait til 19th. Good luck to all!!

[merlo105]

I hunt out of tree stands alot but I also hunt from the ground tree stand provides you having time for a good shot on the deer. I would prefer hunting out of a tree stand late archery beings the deer are still rutting, all the big bucks who are rutting late are gonna be on the move so with a tree stand near a rub line or bedding area is key even off of good trails. Ground blinds are nice if you know where they are feeding or even a good travel route in thick areas where you cant get a tree stand. So just depends on what kind of terrain your hunting I wouldnt say one is better but I like tree stands you can see more from a elevated stand..

[PA BEN]

Ground blinds are for when you don't have a tree to hang your treestand in. They work well, but limit you field of view and shooting