I have only hunted by stalking and has had some success with a total of 4 deer that way. ( limited to 1 deer per year bucks only currently ) I have never tried the tree stand thing as of yet. But I am planing on trying it this fall. I had recently purchased a set of climbing sticks as well as a nice ladder stand to put up in an area I think will produce pretty good. Up this way there is not a lot of deer to hunt for so no matter how you hunt it will be a challenge..