The first time my grandpa ever took me hunting we just drove out to some land his friend owned parked the truck and started walking inwards... no feeder or nothing. Just me and him a buck call, rifle and bi-pod, which by the way to answer your question I prefer to hunt on the ground. It is a lot funner just to go explore the wilderness and actual go find that elk/whitail or whatever then sitting in a tree with a feeder 70 yards out. I look foward to actually getting back out there this season. That was the last time I was out hunting which was about 9 years ago since he is the only hunter in my family and lives so far away. Now that I am older I will start the journey again as a begginer but still not use a FEEDER!