the Necessity of Tree Stands
I never felt they were absolutely necessary in every part of the U.S.
In the south, with the warm, and I mean warm weather, tree stands are just about a necessity. Leaf growth in the south, and sweat, makes discovery of the hunter very easy for the scent smelling deer.
In the north I would definitely try a natural blind. If necessary I would go to a ground blind at best, which are much less than the "new" $400 climbing tree stands. Make sure, if you get one, that you can full draw the bow in the ground blind. Some of the real cheap ones are a little too small. (Well for me, whose knuckles drag on the ground when I walk)
I would have hated to learn using a tree stand, exclusively. Tree stands inhibit movement, and you learn deer by moving on the ground. Even if you disturb deer now and then.