tree stand v. ground blind

[BigDaddy]

I've only done a limited amount of deer hunting in my day (harvested one deer). All of my hunting has been from a tree stand. I'm thinking about trying a ground blind. What are the pros and cons?

[jlm]

Elevated stands are by far the most adventageous because you can be out of sight and your scent (if high enough) will not reach the critter below...even if they are downwind. You ability to see in the woods (or where ever) is much better so being suprised by deer is less likely. The advantages of an elevated stand are many. One major drawback is safty. Falling from a stand accounts for the majority of hunting accidents every year! However, in my opinion, if you hunt a high pressure area, being high is not a bad thing because you can avoid stray bullets!

There are many places where an elevated stand is not possible. A ground blind is great way to conceal movement, particulary when bow hunting. However, you have to really monitor scent as you are at ground level. Additionally, it is difficult to see deer coming from far off and you might get suprised from time to time.

I hunt from both as do many others. I suggest an elevated stand if possible. However, a ground bling is certainly not a bad back up plan if the area calls for it! Good luck!

[bigbucks]

I definitely agree with all that jlm said. I much prefer a tree stand of some kind, but will hunt from the ground if there's not a suitable spot. Sometimes I'll hunt from the ground while I'm trying to figure out a spot. I've rarely hunted from an actual blind, generally just tried to be out of the line of sight behind a standing tree, deadfall, rock pile, brush, high grass, stump, whatever. Last year I hunted from the top of a two-high row of round bales one night. I didn't see anything, but that was the time of day or the wind for that particular spot, not because I was seen, at least that's my feeling. Ideally you want to be able to see at least 50 yards in all directions, that's not always possible, but it gives you the ability to see them coming.

[icehousebob]

I've hunted from elevated blinds quite often, but on brutally cold days, you can't spend much time up there. One of the most successful blinds I've ever used was a hole in the ground made when a large tree tipped over at the roots. It overlooked a trail crossing of a creek and the only thing above ground was my head. I had used pit blinds before for geese but never thought of them for deer. Also great protection in bad weather.

[B. Amish]

i can tell you one thing for sure. hunting on the ground will add a entire new level of difficulty to your hunting. if you want a little more challenge, you should try it (not that deer aren't smart enough when your in a tree)

i think its great though. my favorite groung blind is a pit dug into a hill side on a fenceline where there are no trees. i've got a box made out of old pallets in the hole so the walls won't cave in. that blind is absolutely the warmest stand i've ever hunted in

[Guest]

90 percent of my bow hunting is from a tree stand and love to use it,started using a climber and will never go back.As far as ground blinds are concerned,they work pretty well.Iam a guide every year for a handicapped hunt every year in North Dakota for a group called twist of fate.What I like to do is place the blind where my hunter is going to hunt at a minumum of 2-3 weeks in advance of the hunt.This gives the blind a little time to air out,have the deer get a little use to it.I use to place the blind in advance by only 1-2 days,and the majority the hunter got busted.I would put up my double bull blind and then put branches with leaves around it to further help conceal it,but almost always the deer knew it was there.Now,maybe the better way to place a ground blind is to build it out of branches and logs,which would be a little more natural.Both the tree stand and the ground blind have there place.Good luck and happy hunting.

[Guest]

90 percent of my bow hunting is from a tree stand and love to use it,started using a climber and will never go back.As far as ground blinds are concerned,they work pretty well.Iam a guide every year for a handicapped hunt every year in North Dakota for a group called twist of fate.What I like to do is place the blind where my hunter is going to hunt at a minumum of 2-3 weeks in advance of the hunt.This gives the blind a little time to air out,have the deer get a little use to it.I use to place the blind in advance by only 1-2 days,and the majority the hunter got busted.I would put up my double bull blind and then put branches with leaves around it to further help conceal it,but almost always the deer knew it was there.Now,maybe the better way to place a ground blind is to build it out of branches and logs,which would be a little more natural.Both the tree stand and the ground blind have there place.One has to remember that whatever you change in the woods is like moving a chair in your living room,you notice that and the deer will notice it the woods,as thats where they live.Good luck and happy hunting.

[outdoor ran]

Lee, thats awesome. I really like to hear that "guide for the handicapped" Its great to hear someone take time and help others out.

[Guest]

Outdoor ran: This group called TWIST OF Fate started having a hunt for the handicapped approx 7 years.It was started by a local sportsmans club in that area and I was asked to help,due to the fact that I know these guys and have land access to 2 sections..Whats great about this group that puts this hunt on is that they have people apply,pick 20 disabled archers and supply them with lodging,food,equipment if they dont have it,all the processing,and thier license.All they have to do is get there.Most of the hunters are in wheelchairs and one gentleman is blind and has harvested a deer.There ages range from 15-65.The majority shoot a crossbow due to the fact they cannot shoot a long or compound due to injuries.They come from all over the great ol U.S.A.It gives me a better feeling to help one of these guys shoot a deer more than for myself to shoot a trophy buck.The smiles on thier faces is all it takes to go back and help year after year.Of ALL the sportsman group I belong to or help with,this one gives me the greatest pleasure to be involved.You know your giving something back to someone who may not be able to enjoy,without help to still enjoy the great outdoors.

[lunker651]

I agree with jlm. I hunt from tree stand only even when it's below 0 degrees. Ground blind is just not for me. The deer are just too caution, especally in high pressure areas or public hunting areas. You have to control your scents to a minimun on grond blinds. I try to keep my scents to a minimun even on tree stand but sometimes I get away with it. Even when the winds are not in my favor. If you are hunting private land and the deers are not pressure that much, then it is possible to set up a ground blind. But I still prefer a tree stand over any ground blind.

[bigbucks]

There are some places that you simply can't put up a tree stand that are still too good not to hunt. In those situations, hiding on the ground somewhere is your only option. Also if you only have a little bit of time to hunt some new ground one night & can't get out to scout & hang a stand for a couple of weeks, why not pick a likely spot on the ground & take your chances? You'll probably learn more that way then by spending 10-15 minutes glassing it & then having 8 deer show up 5 minutes after you leave.

[Bogsucker]

I've shot 35 deer (20 with a bow) in 25 years of deer hunting. All from the ground and without the use of an artificial blind. Most often I'll just clear an area around the base of a tree so as not to make any rustling noises while fidgeting, and then sit or stand with my back against the tree while facing into or across the wind. The key is to limit your movement. Deer are notoriously sensitive to motion, move your eyes first then the rest of your head and then your body if needed. Camouflage your hands and face and be very cautious of moving when deer are within range. I have had no difficulty having deer within range in fact my median (half less than, half more than) shot distance with all weapons (shotgun, muzzleloader rifle, muzzleloader pistol, centerfire pistol and bow) is 15 yards! With the longest shots actually being with a bow! Tree stands limit mobility and are IMO unsafe, but then I have a tendency to sleep while stand hunting and would most certainly fall out of a tree! Yes, treestands and artificial blinds can be effective but I feel they are too restrictive and too passive for my style of hunting. I actually prefer to actively pursue deer, eg. still hunt, stalk, and make small well orchestrated drives. Hunt from a tree if you like or from a ground blind if you like, but you need neither to be successful.

[bigbucks]

Bogsucker,

Maybe this is off topic a little, but what kind of terrain do you hunt in? I think that can greatly impact not only what's effective, but what's even practical for hunting opps. It makes perfect sense to me that most of your kill shots have been very close, often ground hunting you can't get a shot until they're close if there's any amount of cover. In fact you may not even see them until they're very close.

I agree there's no problem hunting on the ground, I came up with at least 17 deer I've shot while on the ground, a couple of those with the bow. I personally think that the greater advantage in tree stand hunting is for archery, but then again I like the added distance vision for firearms too. I've shot more than twice that many from tree stands actually. Ironically I think this will also be my 25th season.