I agree with c903. Be versatile. Both have their place and if you are flexible enough then you have a better chance of harvesting game.

However, if you only have the cash for one then I would suggest the treestand simply because of the fact that it can potentially offer you a better shot angle without " prepping" the area.

I use both but most of the larger bucks have come from the tree. I will only stalk if I know for sure no other hunters are could be around. I have had another hunter walk in my space and it pissed me off to no end.

I use both, its fun to change things and each has its +and -. I usually set up my ground blind when there is not a good tree to put a stand on in a hot area.

I also agree with C903. I have both but as needed I may change from one to another. I also use a tripod to get up off the ground in a area that the trees are not big enough for a stand. You need to watch how you set one of these up though.
Rick

My first choice is to hunt from tree stands. Where I hunt it is mostly farmland woodlots with mature trees so I use tree stands as my primary way of hunting. On occasion I hunt from ground blinds, it all depends on what the land is offering. You have to be able to adapt.

Depends on the sitation, any trees with cover? Maybe afraid of heights? Like the deer smelling you? Alot of decisions. If you hunt on the ground, invest in a quality pair of SCENT LOKS.

I mainly hunt out of ground blind because setting up a treestand before light is pretty difficult not to mention noisy. Also shooting out of a treestand is sometimes harder because of trickier angles. The main thing to remember when your on the ground is to build up your blind high enough to cover your body but low enough to get your arrow over. Given the choice of using a ground blind or a permanent stand, I' d take the treestand.

If at all possible hunt from a tree . Getting your scent off the ground is a big help.
But like you said there are no good trees around.
You have to determine is there a tree that you can get in that will give you some
cover? Our will you stick out like a sore thumb?
If it' s the later build a ground blind that will really hide you. Build it long before
you plan to hunt it so they will get used to seeing it . Because remember you are
hunting where they live and if something looks out of place they will know.
Lastly you' re gonna need some heavy duty cover scent or they will bust you.
It aint turkey huntin.
good luck
jvjbadger

I am a scent control fanatic so I am really comfortable either way as far as scent goes. But I hunt about 95% of the time from a tree. I just love being up there abd being able to see so much more terrain. I have hunted the same private woods for years so I really have a good knowledge of the patterns there, so I am very confident with treestand placement, and it has payed off year after year. I have a buddy that is about 5' 3" , and a marathon runner to boot, and he loves ground hunting and stalking. I tell him that the reason he is such a good stalker is because at that size he can hide behind a leaf!! Mostly treestands for me.

I have 3 climbers.

I hunt 90% from the ground.

Some areas you have to hunt from a tree to have the best chance.

I hunt in very hilly country with steep ravines and creek bottoms. Deer like to travel the creeks. I set up where a major trail in the creek bottom comes very close to the steep hillside. I get above the trail about 15 to 25 feet higher than the trail just like being in a treestand. Many times the hillside I set up on is so steep that I have to take a shovel and make a flat spot to stand on and shoot. I am just as high and above the deer as someone in a treestand would be. But my ground spot is better than a treestand because behind me is the hillside and I am not outlined by the sky.

I have also taken many deer while sneaking down old logging trails especially when it is wet and I can do it silently. This is my favorite way to hunt, even if it is raining. I have walked right up to 15 yard shots doing this.

I usually make a natural blind and add some camo netting. I have made great blinds inside a laurel bush making just enough room to hide in it and have a good view out in front. I have also stood behind big trees and peeked at the deer and then drew my bow from behind the tree and then slowly leaned around the tree at full draw to make the shot.

The areas that I hunt that are flats is where I mostly use treestands because I cant set up above the deer.

I agree you will get scented more from the ground under most conditions.