Well I know deer season isn't until October 1st but I have been scouting already and have been getting lots of deer come into where I will be hunting. I hope to get a tree stand up and a pop up blind that I will leave there but what are the pros and cons of each? The only problem I face is that the tree I plan to setup the stand on doesn't have much vegetation/cover so I am almost out in the open, 15 feet up but out in the open. I plan to tuck the blind in a bunch of brush which I will clear out a bit more so it fits in there nice and snug and just leave it there a couple weeks before the season and just leave it there till December 31st (end of season) rolls around.
Pop up Blind vs. Tree Stands
- Thread starter IH8ATTN
- Start date
I have success with both. I do get a little antsy in a tree stand after enough time. It's good to have multiple stands and blinds, as conditions can change. A cheap blind can simply be burlap from a roll, between sticks. You can move it easily and make it cheap. Sit there with a chair and shooting sticks.
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
Don't worry about cover, use the wind and be motionless.
I use both and prefer the stand for increased visibility due to height , and I much prefer the stand for archery and being able to draw the bow without bumping something or not having a good field of view.
This year I will be adding hooks and such to keep equipment hanging out of my way AND a cup holder!!
I use both and prefer the stand for increased visibility due to height , and I much prefer the stand for archery and being able to draw the bow without bumping something or not having a good field of view.
This year I will be adding hooks and such to keep equipment hanging out of my way AND a cup holder!!
I heard shooting 15 feet up is like a whole new ball game...i did pick up a range finder with ARC built in so that will help.
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
Not a huge difference, from 30 yds in my stand it is 1 yd difference from shooting position in the stand vs the ground.
How did I prove this? With a range finder with line of sight vs real yardage measurements.
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Put the pin on the vitals and you are good to go!
How did I prove this? With a range finder with line of sight vs real yardage measurements.
.Put the pin on the vitals and you are good to go!
Obviously each one has their +'s, and -'s.
IMHO, it goes something like this...
Ground Blind:
+'s...Movement not so easily detected ...added comfort in s**tty weather
-'s....restricted view...sitting/ cramped shooting position...scent profile at ground level
Treestand:
+'s...height, getting above a deers normal sight-line...scent stream is elevated...improved view of surroundings
-'s....out in the elements, safety considerations, finding the perfect tree
I almost always use my climber...it is the most versatile piece of deer hunting equipment I own.
When I have to set-up in a tree with no back cover...I position my stand on the opposite side of the tree, and use the tree as cover.
Yes, it means shooting around the tree, and standing more frequently to look around.
I do use a couple of different ground blinds when hunting in rainy or cold/windy weather. Some days, they make the difference between going hunting, or staying in bed.
IMHO, it goes something like this...
Ground Blind:
+'s...Movement not so easily detected ...added comfort in s**tty weather
-'s....restricted view...sitting/ cramped shooting position...scent profile at ground level
Treestand:
+'s...height, getting above a deers normal sight-line...scent stream is elevated...improved view of surroundings
-'s....out in the elements, safety considerations, finding the perfect tree
I almost always use my climber...it is the most versatile piece of deer hunting equipment I own.
When I have to set-up in a tree with no back cover...I position my stand on the opposite side of the tree, and use the tree as cover.
Yes, it means shooting around the tree, and standing more frequently to look around.
I do use a couple of different ground blinds when hunting in rainy or cold/windy weather. Some days, they make the difference between going hunting, or staying in bed.
heavyBullet
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Just off the island of MTL
I have always built tree stands (more like forts ) with room for one office chair with half walls and a small roof above. A couple years ago I changed my hunting spot on my buddies farm and had no time to build another stand, so I purchased a one man hunting blind. It is a way different experience, and I was not sure I was going to like it, but let me tell you, when the wind started blowing, and the rain/snow came down, I could not believe how comfy I was.
What I try to do is have my ground blind up on a small ridge looking down where I know deer pass by, so I am above them and hidden away in the blind. Now that my daughter comes with me I have upgraded to a two person blind, with two nice office chairs, and its amazing how having one extra body in the blind warms things up in there.
I still enjoy getting into a tree stand for sure, but also like the ground blind, so I hunt from both during the deer season.
Just one more thing. If you do decide on a ground blind, take the time to seam seal all the seams.
) with room for one office chair with half walls and a small roof above. A couple years ago I changed my hunting spot on my buddies farm and had no time to build another stand, so I purchased a one man hunting blind. It is a way different experience, and I was not sure I was going to like it, but let me tell you, when the wind started blowing, and the rain/snow came down, I could not believe how comfy I was.What I try to do is have my ground blind up on a small ridge looking down where I know deer pass by, so I am above them and hidden away in the blind. Now that my daughter comes with me I have upgraded to a two person blind, with two nice office chairs, and its amazing how having one extra body in the blind warms things up in there.
I still enjoy getting into a tree stand for sure, but also like the ground blind, so I hunt from both during the deer season.
Just one more thing. If you do decide on a ground blind, take the time to seam seal all the seams.
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I have hunted from the ground, building a blind in the brush, setting up a camo tarp in front of me
I have hunted from stands built between a couple of trees.
I have hunted from commercial tree stands.
I have hunted from a stand I built on 4 16' 4x4's. Got me 16' up and built a nice platform on it. All in the middle of a large feed plot.
I have hunted from a buddy's "stand". It is actually a permanent tree house. You never want to come out. Wind generator powers a TV/DVD player and he just pauses the movie, goes out on the wrap-around deck, shoots the one he wants...
Last year I bought an Ameristep pop-up ground blind. I love the thing! So much warmer than the tree stand and easy to move. Combined with my tree stand, I am ready to hunt the world. The only problem I have had, when it got quite cold, it was NOT readily collapsible.
I have hunted from stands built between a couple of trees.
I have hunted from commercial tree stands.
I have hunted from a stand I built on 4 16' 4x4's. Got me 16' up and built a nice platform on it. All in the middle of a large feed plot.
I have hunted from a buddy's "stand". It is actually a permanent tree house. You never want to come out. Wind generator powers a TV/DVD player and he just pauses the movie, goes out on the wrap-around deck, shoots the one he wants...
Last year I bought an Ameristep pop-up ground blind. I love the thing! So much warmer than the tree stand and easy to move. Combined with my tree stand, I am ready to hunt the world. The only problem I have had, when it got quite cold, it was NOT readily collapsible.
heavyBullet
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Just off the island of MTL
Just how cold was it ?? Both mine are Ameristep also.
I've shot two deer from ground blinds, but they were permanent, not pop-ups, so I can't speak to that.
I have also shot two deer from tree stands (archery). In both cases I was very exposed (not much foliage around me). I just hooked up my release when I heard the deer coming then stayed perfectly still against the tree trunk until the deer was in range, then picked my moment to draw and shoot. They don't seem to look up much, and I think it helps with your scent dispersion compared to being on the ground. I don't know how barren the tree that you're thinking of is, but you can see me standing on a tiny home-made stand in the top of this picture. Wear a good harness (especially if standing on a silly little stand like this one!).
I have also shot two deer from tree stands (archery). In both cases I was very exposed (not much foliage around me). I just hooked up my release when I heard the deer coming then stayed perfectly still against the tree trunk until the deer was in range, then picked my moment to draw and shoot. They don't seem to look up much, and I think it helps with your scent dispersion compared to being on the ground. I don't know how barren the tree that you're thinking of is, but you can see me standing on a tiny home-made stand in the top of this picture. Wear a good harness (especially if standing on a silly little stand like this one!).
I love up in the trees also but 12 feet does it for me. I find no real advantage going too high and just stick out more and blow around with the wind more.
