tree stand vs ground hunting

[rockman57]

I shot a little buck last week from a ladderstand.It had a shooting rail which gave me a good steady rest for my rifle(daughter's hehehe)
I shook out some camo netting all the way around so if one did happen to look up all that was visible was my head.When I shot that deer he was about 40yds away and he ran right under my ladder after the shot.He never knew I was even there.Last year I shot one from the very same area from a pop-up ground blind.When I shot it several deer ran off from right beside the stand.I'll assume they didn't know I was there either.I only had the front window open.From my experience with both I would have to say I have more confidence in the ladder stand when set up properly.I have rarely seen deer look up at me unless I was either making noise or moving but I think when in uneven terrain you would want it on the higher ground.Mine is set up on a small hill in a little hardwood bottom.

[tnrebelguitarist]

There are pros to both styles, but I have to say that I'm partial to treestands because you can see over many of the small rises in fields that ground blinds cannot. Your scent is higher and often your movements aren't noticed as quickly. However, this next year I am planning on purchasing a few ground blinds because I have several spots I would like to hunt more, but the area lacks any mature trees or cover from the elements of nature.

[Hunting Man]

I go with the tree stands for bow hunting but ground for gun hunting. Scent should not be a problem if you take the necessary time to de-scent. We use a steam sauna in camp followed by any of the products on the market to kill human bacteria. I keep my clothes in plastic bags sprayed in scent shield and a couple of little pine boughs. I spray down everytime prior to entering the woods. Deer do not scent me using this process. I change to clean clothes every two days. I can't remember the last time I was scented, it's been years. I know not everyone has the use of a steam sauna but I know it works to cleanse you from the inside out. Good luck hunting!