I'm new to bow hunting (deer)and I'm look for a couple of tips. What would be a couple of must do's and don'ts when approaching your tree stand? Also, is hunting out out of a ground blind as productive as hunting out of a tree stand? Thanks for any help.

When bowhunting I prefer to hunt out of a tree stand. You have more room than the ground blind when trying to draw and aim your bow. Make sure and wear a safety harness first and foremost. One bad fall and your bowseason is over before you gave it a chance to start. Make sure and do some target practice from an elevated position so you can get used to shooting from above. Always aim for the oposite side shoulder.

Try to pick a entrance that the deer will not walk on if at all possible.Remaining undetected on your entrance and exit is to me one of the most important aspects of hunting. If the deer continousily smell you in the area they will either go nocturnal or move on to other areas.Try to not make noise especially metal on metal or anything abnormal from the woods.Since your new to bowhunting I would stick with tree stands.In most areas you can see better out of a stand. You can shoot down instead of across the thick cover which can deflect your arrows.If you hunt high with the right back cover you can get a way with movement and not be smelled as bad or at all.I have killed 37 deer with a bow and 1 of them was killed off the ground. Hope this helps.Now go breakaleg, that means good luck.

generally better to hunt from a stand but ground blinds can be good as well,try and come in from the opposite direction you think the deer r going to come from,in the early season hunt the food sources hard,most important control your scent at all times and have fun

In most situations, tree stands are a better choice, but there is definitely a place for ground blinds in areas with no suitable trees. When approaching your stand, don't just stomp on in. Go easy and if you are in noisy conditions, shuffle along like a squirrel digging in the leaves. If you have gusty winds, use that your advantage and move when it blows to cover the sound of your approach. I always slip in like a buck is bedded near my stand. Sooner or later, one will be. Through the years I have watched several deer stand up out of their beds that I never knew were there. If I had just walked in normally those deer would have been long gone. Keep your scent stream away from the area you suspect the deer to come from. I love to hunt creek or river bank stands that can be approached by canoe. You leave no scent behind and when done carefully, make no noise. I try not to use a light, but I don't think the red ones will normally spook a deer. Try to never allow a deer to see you in the stand. If a dominant doe ever pegs you, odds are good she will be checking that tree every time she comes by, and she will let all her neighbors know you are there. If you are just starting out, shoot the first legal deer that gives you a good shot. Any deer is a trophy with a bow and it will give you confidence when big boy finally does come by. Know your effective range and NEVER shoot beyond that regardless how big the deer is. Keep your broadheads RAZOR sharp. If it won't shave, don't shoot it! Take only broadside or quartering away shots. You may see T.V. hunters take quartering to shots, but don't try it, it is extremely risky and wounding and losing a deer is the last thing you want to do. When you hit a deer, don't give up on the trail. My buddies joke about my never give up attitude on a blood trail and it has paid off well. When bloodtrailing, stay off to the side of the trail. Use toilet paper to mark your blood. Talk to other successful hunters about it. Find out what blood from different areas looks and smells like.
What is it that makes a good bowhunter? Just one more. Just one more practice arrow, just one more hunt, just one more hour in the stand, just one more mile back in the woods.....JUST ONE MORE!
Go get 'em.

Good Advise here

Patience before the shot. I know the first few deer that I shot at (at being the important part) got to live another day because I did not take my time. Take a deep breath and focus on a very small spot that you want to hit. Welcome to the ranks. Good luck.

Here's a few of my favorites:

1. Hunt the wind

2. Practice with broadheads, hunting clothes, gloves, and face cover

3. Total scent control! (Scent free detergent, air tight container, dress in the field, and spray down everything).

4. Wait for a broadside or slightly quartering away shot.

5. Know you maximum effective hunting range (See #2).

6. Bend at the waist.

7. Aim low (top of the heart, bottom of lungs). If they drop at the shot, your still in the vitals. If not, you smoked him...

8. Range trees beforehand.

9. From a treestand, shoot the horizontal distance, not the distance from your eye to the animal.

10. Use a linemans belt when climbing. Don't carry things up. Instead use a tow rope.

11. Where your safety harness.

12. Carry extra batteries for your flashlight and cell phone.

13. Don't rush the shot. Life at full draw is sweet. Enjoy that moment for a few seconds.

14. Pick your spot.

15. Aim for the exit hole and follow through. Don't peek at the arrow flying.

16. Three points of contact when climbing (2 hands and1 footor 2 feet and 1 hand).

17. Use a headlamp when climbing in the dark.

18. Plan your entry and exit routes from your stand. This is critical.

19. If you hit one, give it more time (unless you see it die).

20. Don't read books on stand.

21. Treat every noise like it's a deer - stay alert!

22. Don't over-call. Less is better- unless you are in Illinois during the rut.

23. Buy the best gear and equipment that you can afford.

24. Dress in layers. Put your warm stuff on when you get to your stand so you don't sweat walking in.

25. Shoot what makes you happy.

Nicely done..

Do - Get there as early as possible!
(this gives you the time to do the most important thing going into your standsite= Take our time getting there...you'll spook less game and wont work up a sweat)
Do - Remember to take your hunting license with you!
(I know it's common sense to say that but in the rush you may forget...and it's not worth the hassle if you forget)
Do - Take a rope for your bow if hunting from an elevated stand so you can climb up using both hands freely!
Do - Everything you can while at your vehicle to get organized!
(the less you do at the base of your treestand the better and it makes less noise)

Dont - Believe that because your just starting out that you dont have a chance to score...Believe in Begginners Luck!!!
Dont - Approach your standsite from the Upwind side if possible...if your entry is quiet enough and you approach from downwind of where you want to be theres a good chance that bedded dear will stay right where they are(which is hopefully close by your stand)!
Dont - Forget to lock your Vehicle and hide your Valuables!
(Leaving anything out in plain view is an invitation to thieves)
Dont - Forget to let someone know where you will be hunting and when you'll be back!
(in the case of an accident this information may save your life)!!!