tree stands can work, but usually only on more private lands where there is a major food source and bedding area with no other hunters spooking the deer all around....but otherwise still hunting is your best bet depending on what part of the state you are hunting in...if it is open terrian like in the A zones your best bet is to get up to a high point and glass...when you start hunting in the forests of B and D zones, deffinetly lots and lots of scouting to find where the deer are then still hunting would be your best bet........you cannot pattern a blacktail like you can a whitetail unless you are hunting land that has very, very few hunters on it and there is very little pressure to the deer,then tree stands could work early in the archery season, but after that i have found they will not keep to any regular pattern and move around quit a bit..........if you have any questions shot me an email or post another question..