I have a ladder stand and a climber left over from my " compound bow days" and well, for the last few years since getting an xbow I have been hunting from the ground and really been enjoying hunting even more so.
Yes yes , I know tree stands far out weigh hunting from the ground every thing being equal. But here's a few things that set that apart at least for me.
Carring a tree stand , may it be a ladder or climber, well it gets old real quick....heavy clumbsy etc....the noise setting up and taking down.....maybe I'm just getting old to do this any more. The state of Pa has many hills and valley"s to lug this stuff through.....just tired of doing it.
Not that I won't ever use my stands again, but I"m really really getting into this ground hunting , home made blind kinda hunting. Why you ask.....well I notice I can sit or lay still longer on the ground than in my tree stands....more comfy on the legs and back..I'm less figgity. I even have a better view from the ground.....I can see more movement from the ground not having a tree canopy blocking my views.....or be taken by surprise .....we all had that happen by day dreaming.
I usually make my blinds from the fallen timber or twigs that are naturally there....build myself a little fort type blind....enough so I can move around 360 or so....high enough to break up my human body form , yet low enough for my xbow can rest on a limb for a good anchor point.....all blending in to the natural look of the woods I'm in.
Even my camo clothing blends into the blind....loose fitting camo leafy pattern has done wonders.....so would a light weight Ghillie costume just as long as you don't get tangled in you xbow wearing it.
I wash all my clothing in baking soda and hang out to air dry.....when done with a days hunt I hang outside to air out.....never bring my hunting cloths back into the house. I always have back up clothing.....don't want to wear the same clothing day after day. I wear rubber boots.....no rubber smell after being soaked in river mud.
I also wash myself with baking soda....top to bottom.....even my hair and beard......even swich my mouth out with baking soda. I smell like " nuttin".

Seriously I love the ground .....having had grouse right infront of my face strutting......turkeys by the dozen strolling by....deer of my choice walikng by.....not even knowing I'm there.....it's quite the feeling knowing I'm next to being invisable.
Any one else hunting from the ground ?????
Bob in PA