I prefer a hang on with climbing sticks. Oh, and a very good safety harness. I used to use climbers but I always found I ended up hunting for the right tree rather than where I thought the deer would move through. Also had one slip on me coming down the tree one time. Had to change my pants after that one. I have shot a few deer off the ground with my bow but as i mentioned I prefer a tree stand. I feel like they're not as likely to see you and it keeps your scent from getting down to the deer as easily. Plus you can see farther and with a gun, you're almost always going to be shooting down towards the ground.