GB,

Tree Stand Hunting is very nice since it puts you above the deer and when you shoot, generally when the bullet passes through the deer, it's next stop is the ground. Anyway, there are several types of tree stands, they are fixed, climbing, ladder, plus home built, usually from wood.

I myself built a home built on a hemlock, on my property. I put in carpeting to soften sound and it has burlap cameo for sides and see through camo above that with some holes for shooting. The spot I put it in sees deer every year, in a funnel area with some natural food source nearby, Apple Tree. I have wooden ladder steps which are also carpeted to prevent slipage.

I have a friend that uses a climber and I have also heard from others that this type is easier to move when you use different locations, and he uses it during Archery. Using one location all the time is not always the best approach to hunting due to scent and other issues.

I know guys with fixed stands, which usually less cost than the ladders, but you have to use a ladder and climb into it. Cabela's has some nice pictures on their website.

I also have an Outhouse camo tent/blind that I use to give me more versitility and can be setup in a few minutes. I find blinds give you more options than tree stands and I so use both. The land you have to hunt on and the type of hunting you plan on doing should drive what you need. I started out with one gun and that was it. Now I have many guns, several tree stands to use, 2 camo blinds, 3 D leafy camo pants and shirt, white outfit for the snow, orange vest and hats, other camo clothes, scents, scent eliminators, and it goes on and on....

Something to consider....

T