So far the only deer hunting I've done is from the ground...without a blind. As long as you tuck yourself in some brush or a tree you'll be fine. Where I hunt in the middle of the woods it would be nice to put up a stand (isn't allowed), but as long as I can position myself where I can see the deer before they might see me I'm successful. I've had deer within 10yds of me, they knew something wasn't right but never spooked. have a blind for this year...not sure I'm gonna use it though