Hey Tracey
I have had experience hunting from climbers, fixed position, as well as on the ground. I have taken deer from all of the above. Each set-up has it's own merits. I think what's most important is doing your homework. Scouting is imperative! Before I got into bowhunting, I was one of those guys who blundered into the woods every shotgun opening day smelling like a mixture of "Irish Spring" and gasoline.

Needless to say, I was never very sucessful. When I discovered the wonderful sport we call bowhunting, I had to learn to scout. I had to learn to pattern deer in order to take some of the mystery out of it. Scouting and reading deer behavior is a science in itself, but the hunters who see deer consistantly do it well.

Next to scouting, fooling a deer's nose is the next trick. This is where tree stands help. By getting off of the ground, your scent is dispersed higher on the wind currents. If the wind should shift as a deer is approaching, being up high sometimes helps. An elevated position also allows slight movements which may not be detected.

So...I still employ all three tactics. Fixed position or ground stand when the wind is right. A good quiet climber when it is not.

I let the deer and the weather determine which I choose.

Sorry for the novel...I hope this helps.

Good Luck
Jack