I love ladder stands....I've killed a 173" P&Y from a 15 ft and this year a 154" from a 12 ft. Plus I've killed a bunch of other deer from them. If you have good cover behind you that breaks upyour out line you will be fine. I dont have any cover in front of me. I like the ease and lack of noise getting in ladder stands also. If I could I would only hunt from ladder stands but that can't always happen.