Ground or Tree?
 

I wanted to find out what is everyone elses opinion is or just from experience, which is better ground (blinds) or tree stands while hunting deer? I have always used a climber or ladder stand. What are some of the cons of blind hunting? I was looking into buying a blind for the next deer season. Just a little area info if it matters--I hunt on about 150 acres and all of it is wooded so I wouldn't be in a field or open places except a creek bottom thats pretty open.

Also, when you go to setup your blind, is it better to have it setup for awhile before hunting or is it ok to set it up the day of the hunt?

RE: Ground or Tree?
 

I have heard it is better to set the ground blind up at least a few weeks before you hunt it. Give the deer a chance to get used to it. I have always liked hunting out of a tree a little better. It gets your scent off the ground. But the biggest thing for me is that you can see so much more! Having said that, there are certain areas where a ground blind will work better. Areas that are thick with cedar or mesquite trees, or where there are not good trees to hang a stand. I think the terrain dicates the setup. Good Luck!

RE: Ground or Tree?
 

Newmanisking, I have about 9 treestands and a ground blind that I got from Cabelas. The ground blind is okay but kinda cramped for bowhunting out of and with therma currents continually changing, I prefer hunting out of a stand or an ambush overlooking a revene, when hunting out of a ground blind it seems like the game is there on top of you before you know it, SURPRIZE, but at least with a tree stand my scent is usually up and out of the way and then it is usually a lot easier for me to pick up on movement when I'm in a stand. Either one will work, just depends on the set up. Good luck, Bobby

RE: Ground or Tree?
 

I think there are advantages and disadvantages to both. I also have a tent blind that I got from Cabelas, the Outhouse. I do tend to like tree stand hunting better, but that is just for purposes of scent control and the ability to see deer long before they see you. I have yet to use my blind for deer hunting because if I set up a blind, it's normally natural (made of branches, leaves, shrubs... existing structure). I do carry a custom made blind though when I'm still hunting. It's merely a small piece of camo netting on a square frame I built out of aluminum rods. It's light and it conceals pretty well. The Outhouse seems a little too small for drawing a bow and that's the main reason I haven't used it yet.

RE: Ground or Tree?
 

I also have an Outhouse blind , and hunt from the ground only for now . The Outhouse is not well suited to vert bow hunters , although a crossbow will work well if it's legal where you live . I don't discount tree stand hunting , in fact I bought myself a starter climber to practice with . Once I get the feel for it I'll buy a better one . Both have advantages and disadvantages .

I chose tent blind hunting for portability , and my terrain is also wooded . I can set up in 5 minutes flat in near complete silence , and since the blind is camo I don't necessarily have to wear camo . This allows me to focus more on scent control . If your blind's camo pattern matches your surroundings it would take a very observant deer for you to get busted , I've had them walk to withing feet of me while in mine . The same cannot be said for a tree stand unless you cover it with camo and select your tree well . A tree stand sticks out if not carefully placed , and deer do look up .

A blind also provides protection from the weather , which allows you to hunt more days that you normally might not . This allows you to see more deer , and therefore more chances to score . They don't always work in more open terrain however , unless the background gives some breakup and the deer can't approach from behind .

RE: Ground or Tree?
 

I hunt from both and have found each to work quite well depending on the situation. I think the biggest drawback of the ground blind is that it somewhat restricts shooting lanes...in comparison to a treestand. The treestand, on the other hand, is more exposed. If a deer happens to look up then more often than not you will be busted.

RE: Ground or Tree?
 

tree tree tree , as long as I'm able enough to climb.

RE: Ground or Tree?
 

I agree with using a tree, but you have to admit that there are certain disadvantages... my main one being for this reason: I have several tree stands at deer train intersections, but at certain times of the year, they're barren. A lot of the deer where I hunt don't even use the trails until WELL after the corn is harvested. I've seen deer daily, but they just wander aimlessly through the woods, they hardly ever follow a set trail. In most books and magazines they write that deer, as a general rule, will normally follow a set route, and they tell you how to funnel deer, read the right trail sings, etc. That's why I wrote an article that follows MY saying: The only general rule in hunting is that there are no rules.

RE: Ground or Tree?
 

Very profound words of wisdom.:)

RE: Ground or Tree?
 

I usually hunt from a treestand just for the same reason's as swamp dog definetly better for seeing what's moving around and keeping scent up .This season I've bought a ground blind because of one spot I hunt the deer have been crossing in the open near a small clump of tree's out in the middle of the field,this spot is good for seeing long distances and is perfect for a ground blind . So having a ground blind in certain spot's work's as long as you can see distances. It also work's well down near creek bed's where the brush is thick and you can use branch's and limb's to lay against your blind to make it look natural. Hope this help's but having a ground blind is definetly a big plus to go with your treestand's .The only thing is I wouldn't put it up to long before you hunt it might just disappear ,I put mine up the weeked before I hunt and that's a couple day's or even the day before the season opener. I would also recommend that you also spray your blind with scent killer when you put it up.

Nubo

RE: Ground or Tree?
 

Both. I don't use a "ground blind", but I do sometimes hunt on the ground. Personally, I prefer a nice comfortable climber, but it has to do with preference and terrain more than effectiveness. Both are productive when your set up is right.

RE: Ground or Tree?
 

ive never hunted from a stand.....me and dad find one good spot and throw some brush around and trim some up for a few clear lanes...and make it comfy and make sure we can sit there all day......then we move and just sit in downed trees...boulder piles...or against a big tree...i like to be mobile....but im impatient and young......i know if i could sit 10hrs on end id see the deer im hunting.....but i cant.....ive made it 4 or 6 tops......and i was taking breaks eating lunch and such every now and then....when its not freezing i can sit a long while....long as i have a squirrel or something to watch.....i see deer all the time small game hunting and such before deer season....find out where they are living and what trails they use and come hunting season i never see them becuase it kills me to know they are there and im not seeing them.....next year im working on that........i think it will definently pay off........

RE: Ground or Tree?
 

I've hunted both, and have found that I belong in a tree. Don't know what it is, but when I'm on the ground, in a blind or otherwise, I can't get a shot - the deer see me. Never have bagged a deer with a bow from the ground. Rifle - different deal altogether. I like being above the action where I can see better, the deer don't seem to spot me as easily, and my scent stays high above the ground for longer. Just makes sense to me to be in a tree.;)

RE: Ground or Tree?
 

Most of my hunting is done on the ground. I don't use a ground blind persay, but rather use natural concealment on most occasions. I do have natural cover blindS built in a few locations though. The main reasons I don't use a tree stand is the inability to move around with the changes, choice in methods/techniques for hunting, the locations I hunt do not lend themself to stand hunting and I really have come to enjoy the eye level felling/rush I get from being on the dirt.

With each come pros and cons but I think a lot depends on how you like to hunt and how that area best lends itself to either tree or ground.

RE: Ground or Tree?
 

Do both! That's what I'm gonna do next season. I've mostly hunted above the ground, but twice now I've hunted from a ground blind and I loved every second of it. However, I also loved every second of hunting from trees too. I'm not giving up one for the other. Just remember, like it was previously mentioned, if you bowhunt from a ground blind, make sure it has plenty of room.

RE: Ground or Tree?
 

tree stand here.....not to say that a ground blind will not work....i like a tree stand because of the range of sight, you can just see alot better. But there are some areas that I hunt that I just can't hunt from a stand and a ground blind will just have to do and I have been successfull both ways. Good luck

RE: Ground or Tree?
 

I absolutely love to hunt ground blinds. I have a dozen of them around my land. I don't have a tent or anything like that. I make my own natural ground blinds out of hedgerows, field edges, swail etc..........

I think your chances are much better from a tree obviously getting yourself above the ground for smell and sight. There is nothing like the rush of being on the same level as a deer though. You're going to get busted sometimes there's nothing you can do about that. I assure you though there is no better rush than having a deer 15 yards from you on the same plain as it and he/she not detecting you are there. To me it's more of a challenge and something totally different than being 20 feet in a tree.

RE: Ground or Tree?
 

I've never sat in a tree but saying that, I always choose a high elevation in comparison.

Mike

RE: Ground or Tree?
 

Summit climbers!

RE: Ground or Tree?
 

I have had most of my luck when sitting 20 feet above the forest floor. Keeping my scent above the ground is the key. I have never hunted from a ground blind, but have still hunted on the ground when the situation dictates, usually during inclement weather. To me, it sometimes comes down to a game of chess when hunting whitetails. I hunt in areas with relative low deer numbers (less than 10 deer/square mile) and there are many days I do not even see deer. I never want to give the deer any advantage then he already has. My game plan is very simple, I gotta see the deer before he see me, or knows I'm there. Personally, hunting high gives me a slight advantage. Also, seeing deer that I do not want to shoot, or cannot shoot, walking by my treestand, is a very special treat indeed.

RE: Ground or Tree?
 

Having used both will stay with the ground blind
until cant crawl into one best of all when its cold
raining,snowing etc.makes for a comfortable time!!:)

RE: Ground or Tree?
 

tree.

RE: Ground or Tree?
 

I like using a tree.

RE: Ground or Tree?
 

Tree if the terrain and cover allows.

RE: Ground or Tree?
 

tree definatly i usually put out 10 or so stands and then jump around with my climber.

RE: Ground or Tree?
 

Most of my hunting experiences have been in treestands. I have also purchased a pop-up blind(doghouse) recently and took my 8yr old son hunting for the first time. Something I would not have done in a tree stand; kids are too fidgity, won't see animals.
I have recently acquired one of those "leafy suits" in ASAT that I want to put to the test by ground hunting for deer stealth style; just me and the bow.
We'll see what happens, but the upclose and personal thing has to be a rush.:D

RE: Ground or Tree?