No. You dont need one you can make ground blinds or stalk. Hunting on the ground can be just as successful. It can also make your hunting a lot harder. You need to learn how to play the wind.But treestands are a great piece of equipment. You can hunt high and play the wind much easier. I would reccommend one especially where you are new. But you cant just put your treestand anywhere you still have to locate bedding or feeding areas trails etc. Get some books and start reading up on hunting. There is all kinds of great info out there and too much to put it all on here.