Tree stand VS Ground Blind

[noodle one]

I'm assuming you guys that are hunting from the ground and not using blinds or stands are also not using a bow!

You can't be much of a hunter if you have to hunt from a treestand to take a deer with a bow.I have hunted with a bow for the last 50 some years and have taken a buck every year and some years two,(NY and PA) For the last thirty some years I have hunted on the ground only using only natural blinds or a 4'x12' camo cloth. Years ago I found that taken deer out of a treestand to easy and went to hunting on the gound with a bow. I feel that taken a deer with a bow is far easier than taken one with a gun in gun season.

[Elmo]

First off, I would like to make it clear that my little tree stand accident does little to effect my opinion. I have very little fear of heights. I've gone skydiving and was looking into hang-gliding this year but a little thing call "saving for a wedding" got in the way. Secondly, I have no problem treking through miles of brush if it'll assure me a better rate of success.

But from my extremely limited experience (this is only my second year deer hunting and bow hunting) I have never seen a deer while in a tree while I have see several while on the ground. The day I fell out of my tree stand and it broke, I was forced to walk around and conitnue the rest of my hunt on the ground. A few feet from my stand was a rock wall and as I hid behind it, I saw some but not a whole lot more of a disadvantage being out of the tree stand as far a vantage point.

The next time out, I went to a different spot and hunt from the ground hiding behind a tree. Walking in an out without a 20+ lbs tree stand strapped to my back was sooooo much easier and I asked myself, why lug a heavy tree stand around when if it doesn't help me all that much? I had a doe come within 10 feet of me while I was sitting behind a tree. Unfortunately for me, she came at the same direction of the tree and so the tree blocked half of her the whole time. Of course you can say if I was up in a tree, I would have had a shot. But you can also say if I was 5 feet to my left or to my right, I would also have had a shot.

My only concern is the fear of drawing the bow string back without the deer seeing my movement. I feel a pop-up blind will conceal that movement but I have also heard from people that deer will notice a pop-up blind from a far and know that some weird structure that wasn't there yesterday. Does this hold true? Will deer avoid pop-up blinds when they see it?

Edited October 10, 2012 by Elmo

[moog5050]

I killed my first deer this year hunting from a pop up blind Elmo. It was in position 2 days before I hunted it, but still think it can be done if set the same day, especially if you have a well used travel corridor. The doe I killed knew it was out of place and was slow to cross in front, but once it did, it actually became curious and began to walk towards the blind bobbing its head. By then I had the bow drawn/aimed and it seemed like forever before it finally turned for a broadside shot. I really enjoyed hunting from the blind. BTW - wear black up top and try to hide your face to the extent possible (used burnt cork to color the areas around my nose and eyes and a bandit type black cloth to cover my mouth. I also drew the bow below the blind window and raised it when her head was turned. Good luck.

[Elmo]

Thanks for the advice moog5050. I hunt only on public land so I can't set up the blind early. It'll have to be the day of. I have a realtree balaclava I'll wear.

[moog5050]

I think camo in the blind will make you more visible. I would stick with black, but your call. I didn't even have my black clothes scent washed (they were motorcycle riding clothes), but it worked fine. I know the doe had a hard time seeing me in the blind all blacked out. Your call though Elmo. Good luck.

[Doc]

My only concern is the fear of drawing the bow string back without the deer seeing my movement. I feel a pop-up blind will conceal that movement but I have also heard from people that deer will notice a pop-up blind from a far and know that some weird structure that wasn't there yesterday. Does this hold true? Will deer avoid pop-up blinds when they see it?

First the pop-up blind question. The answer is absolutely yes! I set my blind up just inside a stand of pines the first time I used it and about half of it was exposed to a grass field that I was watching. My intent was more for scouting and seeing where the deer were entering the field. Sure enough three deer came out of the swamp below the field at about 100 yards. The grazed their way to within about 60 yards of the stand, and one of the does stopped, started doing it head-bobbing thing along with the foot-stomping game and eventually had all three of them looking stomping and carrying on. Next thing I knew they all took off.

Lesson learned: conceal that thing. Now I tuck that thing into the bushes, and brush it all in with goldenrod, pine boughs or whatever I can find in the area. When I get done, even I have to look close to see where it is. That just simply is not an option. When properly done, I have had deer a few feet away that never knew I was there. I suppose if you're rifle hunting over a longish distance you might be able to get away without super-concealment. But for bowhunting, there is no choice.

Second, regarding your fear of getting busted when you draw your bow, the trick I use involves the blind construction. We have a lot of double or triple trunk oaks that have provided a rather wide wall all by themselves. With a few logs pulled up and some brush with leaves still attached, you can create a wide wall to stand behind. Blow-downs also make good framework for a brush and log blind. I usually have these constructions about 20 yards away from a trail that runs crosswise to the way I am watching. A deer coming down the trail does all the moving for me. I simply stand behind this wall, draw my bow and wait for him to walk past. When the heart/lung area is exposed, away goes the arrow. That's the way it is supposed to work. lol...ever notice how bucks never seem to be walking on trails? Sometimes you just have to wing it when things don't go according to plan.....Ha-ha. Occasionally I have built "L"-shaped blids to get some options for the deer that doesn't want to play by the rules. I also always clear out the leaves all the way around the blind so I can use either side depending on where the deer comes from. You can see why it's important to see the deer coming from a ways off. There is some pre-positioning that you have to do.

[covert]

Speaking of that Doc, wasn't it about this time last year you ended up with goldenrod fluff in your eye and couldn't hunt?

[Megan870]

Last year was the first year I ever used a tree stand for the simple reason that I'm afraid of heights. I've learned it's just something you've got to try and get used to because now I prefer it over anything else. Before using a ladder stand I tried using a ground blind. I hardly ever saw anything and I felt like my view was always limited, however it was on the smaller side so that could be the reason for that. Before the ground blind I sat against a tree for four years. Having tried everything I can honestly say that a tree stand is my top choice. You can expand your view, eliminate your scent, and move more without the deer seeing you at eye level.

[Doc]

I'm assuming you guys that are hunting from the ground and not using blinds or stands are also not using a bow!

Actually, there are quite few people that have been convinced that if you're not in the tree-tops, you aren't hunting deer .... lol. Talk about a concept being over-sold.

I'll bet I wouldn't be wrong if I were to say that many more deer have been taken from the ground than from the trees.

[Doc]

Speaking of that Doc, wasn't it about this time last year you ended up with goldenrod fluff in your eye and couldn't hunt?

Good memory! You're absolutely right. And that is exactly how that happened. I was brushing in a pop-up stand.

I think it was called uveitis (sp?) or something like that. It was basically an eye infection that seemed to last forever. A little eye irritation from a little piece of goldenrod fuzz is all it took to put me out of commission for quite a few weeks.

[Guns&ReligionCop]

I knew my last comment would get people going. Its amazing how people that only hunt from the ground and don't utilize any other means think they are better than eveyone else. They also assume that other hunters have never been successful from the ground. They are such amazing hunters that they even feel its necessary to brag about how good they are in a thread that is about ground blind vs treestands and has nothing to do with ground hunting

[crappyice]

My 8 year old has been busting m stones about taking him hunting with me. For that reason, was considering a ground blind since I only hunt out of a climber now. Are all shots from a ground bond from a seated position? If so, that is not something i never practiced and would be concerned about making a move to seated shots this season without ample practice time.

Edited October 10, 2012 by crappyice

[Guns&ReligionCop]

My 8 year old has been busting m stones about taking him hunting with me. For that reason, was considering a ground blind since I only hunt out of a climber now. Are all shots from a ground bond from a seated position? If so, that is not something i never practiced and would be concerned about making a move to seated shots this season without ample practice time.

When I use a ground blind I kneel or shoot sitting but I'm a little taller than then average bear. I don't think its much different shooting sitting just as long as you keep your upper body the same as you would standing. It helps to keep your chair at angle as well instead of parallel to the window if applicable. I recommend a few though to make sure you are comfortable with it.

[crappyice]

Anyone have a recommendation for the Ameristep Doghouse Blind real tree ap? I can find the dimensions on amazon which is offering it for $68.00. Can two people (1 is only 8 yrs old)? Original price is about $130...so I like the sound of that deal

[dave6x6]

Actually, there are quite few people that have been convinced that if you're not in the tree-tops, you aren't hunting deer .... lol. Talk about a concept being over-sold.

I'll bet I wouldn't be wrong if I were to say that many more deer have been taken from the ground than from the trees.

Through out history, there is no doubt you are correct. And maybe even today ground hunters are more successful then stand hunters but i'm skeptical. Do you think maybe you could start a thread where the successful hunters can report if they were on the ground or in the trees? I think it would be an intresting poll. I would do it myself but not sure how to insert a poll into the thread.

[RTF]

My only concern is the fear of drawing the bow string back without the deer seeing my movement. I feel a pop-up blind will conceal that movement but I have also heard from people that deer will notice a pop-up blind from a far and know that some weird structure that wasn't there yesterday. Does this hold true? Will deer avoid pop-up blinds when they see it?

Absolutely not. I have had many deer come within feet of my pop-up blinds within hours of setting them up. Heck one year while spring turkey season, I had one bed down 20 yards behind my blind while I hunted turkeys. The biggest of all problems I have with the pop-up blinds is not being able to get the shot you need. The deer must be in the exact spot you need them to be in order to shoot through the windows.Another thing is with the pop-up blind you get lazy and will not want to move around and I find myself going to sleep in them way too much.

HOWEVER, pop-up blinds are ideal for taking kids hunting, if the weather is rainy and you just wat to relax and chill. They are also great for those extreme cold winter days were a Buddy Heater comes in handy.

[RTF]

Anyone have a recommendation for the Ameristep Doghouse Blind real tree ap? I can find the dimensions on amazon which is offering it for $68.00. Can two people (1 is only 8 yrs old)? Original price is about $130...so I like the sound of that deal

I have that blind and love it, BUT not for bowhunting. It's too small IMO for pulling back a bow in,....... especially with 2 hunters inside. you will be tucked all the way in the corner tight when at full draw and your shooting angle will be limited. That blind is sold at all major outdoor retailers for an average price of $65.00. I got mine at Dick's a few years ago for $50.00. It's a great turkey blind and I use mine for rifle and muzzleloader, but not for bow.

Edited October 11, 2012 by Clifford

[Doc]

I knew my last comment would get people going. Its amazing how people that only hunt from the ground and don't utilize any other means think they are better than eveyone else. They also assume that other hunters have never been successful from the ground. They are such amazing hunters that they even feel its necessary to brag about how good they are in a thread that is about ground blind vs treestands and has nothing to do with ground hunting

Anyone else read anything in this thread that would indicate that "people that only hunt from the ground and don't utilize any other means think they are better than everyone else"? Frankly I haven't seen anything that was controversial in this thread until this reply. In fact I haven't seen anyone bragging about "how good they are" either. My gosh where is all that coming from?

I have been enjoying this thread as one that simply has been a discussion about why people here choose one form of hunting method over the other and how to make each work. Let's not muck it all up with manufactured controversy.

[WNYBuckHunter]

I just think there are some on the site lately that are just trying to stir the pot and bait people into a 15 page argument. Now that the AR, crossbow and youth season threads have run their course, they are grabbing at straws trying to start some controversy.

[Lawdwaz]

I'll bet I wouldn't be wrong if I were to say that many more deer have been taken from the ground than from the trees.

As far as a blanket statement I'd agree. If you said in the last 30 years, east of the Mississippi I'd say you were very wrong.

The concept of hunting from a treestand is certainly not "oversold". You can not say that a person on the ground, with limited visability and their scent floating at ground level has a better advantage. Deer don't worry too much about danger from above like they do from the ground. Congrats to all those that hunt from the ground. If you leave that GB in place, cool. If you have to lug it in & out each day, set it up & tear it down, well that will be just a pain in the azz.

I guess if you wash all your clothes in scent free soap, spray down EVERYTHING before entering the woods and make sure you use scentless lube on your bow, you should be in good shape and be able to whack & stack 'em from the pop up blind. (Don't forget that Butt Out tool) You will need it..........

Me, I'll stick with the treestand for now and play the wind while enjoying the view. Maybe I'll get lucky and kill one.

Best-O-luck!

[Doc]

As far as a blanket statement I'd agree. If you said in the last 30 years, east of the Mississippi I'd say you were very wrong.

The concept of hunting from a treestand is certainly not "oversold". You can not say that a person on the ground, with limited visability and their scent floating at ground level has a better advantage. Deer don't worry too much about danger from above like they do from the ground. Congrats to all those that hunt from the ground. If you leave that GB in place, cool. If you have to lug it in & out each day, set it up & tear it down, well that will be just a pain in the azz.

I guess if you wash all your clothes in scent free soap, spray down EVERYTHING before entering the woods and make sure you use scentless lube on your bow, you should be in good shape and be able to whack & stack 'em from the pop up blind. (Don't forget that Butt Out tool) You will need it..........

Me, I'll stick with the treestand for now and play the wind while enjoying the view. Maybe I'll get lucky and kill one.

Best-O-luck!

No, when I said that the concept of treestand hunting has been over-sold, I was referring to a message that was implying that deer cannot be shot from the ground. The advantages of hunting from a tree are obvious but sometimes over-stated. Back in my treestand days and when I was still smoking, I often watched my smoke on a damp day curl right down to ground level. I also had deer busting me in a tree (usually because I didn't always pay attention to adequate back-drop). There is nothing like a huge lump in a tree trying to draw it's bow that will always grab the attention of a deer. And deer do have peripheral vision. On the other hand, a properly constructed blind leaves the hunter completely out of sight.

As far as the hunter's vision through the woods, I guess in the early part of bow season while the leaves are still in place, I can see a lot farther from the ground rathr being up in the canopy.

But yes, on the right kind of day, and with the wind in the right direction, and with the tree-stander not silhouetted against the sky, and when he is an adequate number of feet in the air, and with all or most of the leaves on the ground, there are definite advantages to hunting from the trees. It just is not the completely guaranteed situation that a lot of TV and magazine people would have you believe.

[Guns&ReligionCop]

Anyone else read anything in this thread that would indicate that "people that only hunt from the ground and don't utilize any other means think they are better than everyone else"? Frankly I haven't seen anything that was controversial in this thread until this reply. In fact I haven't seen anyone bragging about "how good they are" either. My gosh where is all that coming from?

I have been enjoying this thread as one that simply has been a discussion about why people here choose one form of hunting method over the other and how to make each work. Let's not muck it all up with manufactured controversy.

[Guns&ReligionCop]

I guess you missed noodles reply that said if can't kill something from the ground you aren't much of a hunter, maybe I'm wrong but that sounds pretentious to me

[phade]

The threads here have indeed been pretty interesting.

I just don't get why people believe one over the other is better or one has disadvantages over the other than should rule it out.

I can understand Steve's concern over safety...fine...but to say being on the ground is just as effective or easy "in general" are limiting their ability to effectively make the most of their time. The other is the remarks about not being a "real" hunter froma stand or a pop-up. Really, the bowhunter should look at hunting situations and choose the best option. I've hunted more from stands with a bow, but I've also sat in blinds, blowdowns, and even buckets. I have yet to try still hunting anything other than corn on windy days because I don't have large enough acreage to burn.

The real answer is all should be considered options. Anything less is someone hard-headed in my opinion, unless it is for safety, or a personal challenge.

Edited October 11, 2012 by phade

[Doc]

I guess you missed noodles reply that said if can't kill something from the ground you aren't much of a hunter, maybe I'm wrong but that sounds pretentious to me

Yeah, I did miss that one ...... shame on him .... lol.