Every hunter has one they prefer more than the other.
While people will debate this until the end of time, there is no easy answer here.
The truth is both have pros and cons, and it all comes down to what hunters are most comfortable hunting in.
So, let's look at what sets each apart. Which do you prefer?
Treestand
Hunting deer from treestands has become a way of life for many whitetail deer hunters. If you have a healthy tree where deer frequent, you have the ability to just hook up way up in the stratosphere. Pay attention, and if all works out great, a big buck will be by shortly down your well-cleared shooting lane.
Let's first look at what treestand hunting has going for it. The hunter up high in a tree has a panoramic view of the surrounding area. Game animals in the area are observable, along with any other hunters that might be in the area. During deer gun seasons I prefer to be high up in a tree in hunter orange so other hunters can see me. I also can see them if they're in the area.
Whitetail deer are less likely to look up for danger. If your stand is up at least 10 feet off the ground, you stand a good chance of going unnoticed. My current ladder stand is 15 feet up, which is ideal to me. If you get too high, the angle might be tough for a good clean vitals hit. If you sit too low, you might as well be sitting on the ground.
You can lessen your scent or make it worse, depending on your location and the wind patterns. Be aware of what's downwind just in case.
During the early season, treestand hunting catches every breeze that comes along. If you stay in the shade, the hunt is bug-free and not too very hot.
There are also negatives that come with hunting from the trees. These really come to light when it gets cold out. That metal treestand will feel like ice cubes. The wind cuts through you and the ice builds up on the frame. If you drop something, it might break, and no matter what, it's a long climb down to retrieve it. If you fall, you could suffer serious injuries, as hunters do every year from treestand accidents.
So, if you are hunting from a treestand, be sure to wear a safety belt. Also, hauling your gear up and down with rope gets old quickly. Without much room, your gear hangs precariously from hooks as it swings in the wind.
Ground Blind
Ground blinds are by far one of the safest ways to hunt in archery season. If you fall, you've only just fallen from your chair. There's a lot of room for gear and getting into the little abode is quite simple. Bad weather doesn't hamper your hunting in a high-quality ground blind. Let it snow or rain, and then let the wind blow. You're all good and your gear stays dry, too. With plenty of room, it's almost like camping.
It's not all perfect with a ground blind, though. In early season bugs such as spiders can take over. I sprayed the inside of my ground blind with a Permethrin bug repellent and killer. In snake country, a warm blind is a great place to make a nest.
Hot weather is also not so fun while cooking in a ground blind. Open too many windows for the light breeze and deer might look straight through the blind. They'll see your outline, as I've been busted that way before. Keep the inside of the ground blind dark against prying prey eyes.
Hunting from a ground blind puts you right at ground level with the deer. They're staring at the blind every moment so keep that face mask on no matter how hot it is.
During deer gun season, all the blaze orange clothing you wear won't matter much. If you're in a camouflaged ground blind, you're also hidden from other hunters. When the guns are out, stay up in a treestand.
Do you like articles about the outdoors? Click here to view more articles by Eric Nestor. You can follow him @ericthewoodsman on Twitter, The Classic Woodsman on Facebook, and @theclassicwoodsman on Instagram. You can view more Nestor Photography photos at Nestor Photography.
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