deer will notice you more if you're on the ground because you'll be eye level with...they usually don't have a reason to look up so you're safer in a climber...another major concern about ground huntin' is your scent...but it can be done...a lot of folks don't hunt from treestands....i can't really give you my opinion on the mesh windows...my blind has them but it never stated that they were shoot throughs so i've never tried...guess only way to find out for sure is to practice out of one first.