I prefer elevation, but do use natural ground blinds, and took my biggest buck ever this year from the ground, a heavy 9 point with a 15.5" spread. Later my wife and I were in a nautural ground blind and had a decent buck about 8-10 yards out, but I saw it first and she was facing the wrong direction. If she had been me, he would be in the freezer.

I prefer all natural, such as the blow down you discuss. They pretty much all need improved, and I really enjoy working on a natural blind, it's somewhat of an art form. I've taken other good deer from the ground, and have had them as close as five or six yards, but they're on the prowl and aren't paying a lot of attention. You really have to be on your toes; of course, the further out you see the deer, the better your chances. Most deer will be alerted when they see you. They know the turf and know you don't belong there. It would be like you walking in your living room and seeing a deer sitting in the corner. Some will stick around, though. We had a doe look us over real good, get real antsy, but she stayed around and browsed, even though she kept looking us over.

Good luck.