I hunt in the SE USA. Lots of god sized trees. Prefer tree stand. Usually use a climber. Set-up as high as I can go, and work my way to limb/leaf cover .... up to 25' - 30' off the ground. Have several steel ladders out. All are 16' to 20' to the seat. Cannot recall last time I "ground hunted" deer. Probably mid-1970's ??