I have used them for years because of the costs involved. The downfalls are few mainly the being exposed to the elements. I would recommend placing a layer of carpet on the grate to keep the sound of your movements silenced and wrap the cage with burlap or some concealing material. I have bow hunted out of tripods for many years and like them. You ougth to check out the new Gander Mountain opening up in Lubbock and guns up! I was glad to see a post from my college town.