Stand or blind?

Captain*Kirk · June 10, 2016, 12:59:00 PM

Do you prefer hunting from a tree stand or blind, and more importantly, why?
Please differentiate between fixed, portable or climbing stand, or pop-up or self-made blind.
It's also OK to say both, or other if you have a different setup.

dbd870 · June 10, 2016, 01:17:00 PM

Yes; used fix, climber and natural blind. Just depends on how the property lays out and how they move.

kennym · June 10, 2016, 01:39:00 PM

Stand, for only 1 reason, because I enjoy seeing critters almost as much as taking them. The elevated position gives me more of both.

Will use a natural hide on ground too, and have a lot of times, but can't see anywhere as much scenery from them. That said, I've had good bucks close on the ground a decent percentage of times.

CRM_95 · June 10, 2016, 01:42:00 PM

I'll do either. Here in these east Texas pines treestands work great. When I hunt in the hill country or south Texas it's pop ups or brush blinds since there's a shortage of tall trees. I like the cover that a pop up gives, I can move around a little more and I believe they help somewhat with scent control. But I love being in a tree too. Hard for me to pick a favorite I guess!!

Captain*Kirk · June 10, 2016, 02:03:00 PM

While the stands give you the elevated advantage, I find them a PITA to carry in and set up, and claustrophobic to move around in, especially with a harness. A nice ground blind allows you all the freedom of mobility you need and (usually) shooting access 360 degrees, which simply makes for a more enjoyable hunt for me.
There's usually less wind (and resulting 'tree sway') on the ground as well. Drop an arrow? On the ground, just pick it up. In a stand, you have just left a scent stick for the deer if you don't climb down and pick it up, pronto.
Of course, you have to be much more aware of scent and winds, have a limited field of vision, and are now on an eyeball level with your quarry. Last season a 4-point buck walked within 10 yards of my stand and we had an eyeball-to-eyeball staring contest for well over 3 minutes before I cracked and drew, and he whirled and split, white flag waving "So long, sucker!" It was a heart-pounding, adrenaline rush experience I'll never forget, though. It was him and me, on his turf, and he won. Kudos, my white-tailed friend! Long may you run!
For me, hunting is not about 'whacking deer'. It's about interacting with them. And I find the ground blind a better place to play.

Crittergetter · June 10, 2016, 02:08:00 PM

Depends on what the terrain and conditions tell me I need to use. However, I have 10 different lockons, climber, and ladder stands and only 2 pop ups. I don't prefer the pop ups because by the time I brush them in I don't have a lot of visibility and feel to confined. My favorite is my home made ladder stands with Big roomy platforms!!!
If I "have" to hunt the ground Id rather just sit without a blind. But that's just me. They all have their place!

katman · June 10, 2016, 03:39:00 PM

Hanging stand first choice, better visibility.
If its a place I want to be and no good trees I use a pop up blind or natural blind.

Bowwild · June 10, 2016, 04:02:00 PM

Tree stand 100 to 1 IF I'm hunting white-tails in the east.

I prefer the view from a tree stand. I feel like I'm better concealed in a tree stand . Often times I can get more clear shooting lanes from the tree stand.

This is how I started way back in 1970 and probably much of the reason I have this very strong preference.

I've successfully hunted mule deer, pronghorn, and hogs from the ground when the terrain (lack of trees) dictated I must.

I use hang-on stands (Lone Wolf and Muddy) most of the time. I have a couple climbers but I rarely use them as climbers. Too much noise and effort to scale the tree. I hunt my own property so thievery isn't a problem.

If I hunted public land I'm sure my climbers would get much more use.

MnFn · June 10, 2016, 04:10:00 PM

I tend to use stands more. I hunt on my own land and my cousins land so I have decided to use ladder stands and leave them year 'round in their place. I will occasionally move them base on the conditions I see.

I will say one of the most fun evenings I had was on the ground with my back against a tree and big branches on my sides. I was in a ghilli suit. I had a couple of young deer around me for quite awhile.

Stump73 · June 10, 2016, 04:11:00 PM

I use stand, blind and ghillie. Just depends on the area I'm hunting and weather.

jonsimoneau · June 10, 2016, 04:27:00 PM

Stands whenever possible. Having said that I have come to believe that most stands on average are only good for about 3 hunts per season. Much more than that and the deer are on to you. So I try to hang as many as I can. If it's a public area (lot of the time) then I prepare the tree the spring before season and will climb it with a lone wolf stand and sticks. This year I've got around 20 stands in place and 20 trees setup ready to hunt out of.

Carpdaddy · June 10, 2016, 04:40:00 PM

Gotta go up! Prefer lightweight climbing stand so I can go up where I want, at least around here where you have lots of good straight trees. As long as I am on the ground I am moving locations, constantly seeing that place just ahead that looks so much better until I get there. I do it from a stand but it's too much trouble so I stay.

jamesh76 · June 10, 2016, 05:20:00 PM

ladder or hang on 10-12' up. any higher and I don't like the shot angle presented.

Shadowhnter · June 10, 2016, 05:24:00 PM

For deer, I prefer a tree stand. But, having said that, I will use every tactic and resource available to me. Stands used are hang ons, and climber. I use natural blinds made by God, and natural blinds made by me. I also hunt exposed, whether from a sitting position, standing position, or moving slowly still hunting. Every tactic I choose has a reason to do so, which depends on a bunch of different variables and situations.

stagetek · June 10, 2016, 05:27:00 PM

I've used all the above. But, about 95% is done from fixed tree stands.

BAK · June 10, 2016, 05:40:00 PM

The tree stand is my favorite, and I know it's because it gives me a much wider view of what's happening.

I feel like I'm in a dungeon when in my blind. I usually only use them on bad weather days.

CoachBGriff · June 10, 2016, 05:55:00 PM

I also prefer a stand just because I like the view from up there!

But I'm not opposed to a good old blind, brushed or popped.

elkhunter-27 · June 10, 2016, 06:06:00 PM

I have 4 ladder stands and 4 blinds on the property I hunt. It depends on the weather or where I feel like hunting that day.

June 10, 2016, 06:10:00 PM

I like ground blinds the best because I like the shot angles better from the ground level. That being said, I let the circumstances dictate which would be best, and hunt accordingly.

Bisch

Friend · June 10, 2016, 06:33:00 PM

From the ground due to physical limitations and authorization by physician to intercede since family had proposed that I should not be permitted to go the woods.

Thank you doctor.

The blessing and gift continues.