ladderstand or blind


ALAN

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I suppose it depends if we're talking bow or gun, and what the terrain is. If you got good visibility and are gun hunting, then ground blinds work great. If you have some cover to pick through and are bowhunting, you really need some elevation to help your odds out big time. Not only does the height give you more concealment and scent control, but it allows you to look over cover that the deer move through. If your public land allows you to leave a stand behind, then I'd get a cheap ladder stand ($100) and a small chain and lock and take my chances in some decent cover that most folks aren't likely to see. I've hunted some awesome ridges with bow and gun with good elevation and had good success, but on flat ground, I'll take a treestand over a blind ten to one.

Edited by redkneck
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May be rules regarding public land on what you can and cannot use, would check those out first. For the most part would agree with what is posted above, really depends on what type hunting you are doing. Ground blinds can work out great, but personally I prefer to hunt from elevated stands and most of my hunting is from ladders, climbers, and hang ons.

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I hunt from ladder stands and groundblinds, I love them both! As far as public land goes, there is never any guarantee what will happen to it when you aren't around, and there are even legal restrictions in some areas. I would avoid leaving anything, but I think a stand wouldn't be as noticeable as a blind. As far as beginners go, you can make a case for each, they are both a lot of fun and great to hunt out of. Think of what kind of hunting you will be doing and where you will most likely be setting up, and base your decision on that. Good luck!

Edited by MNcrittergittr
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Considering safety first if you have any medical conditions that could cause you to fall from a treestand I'd go with a ground blind;)

If you do use a ground blind make sure you use local vegetation to help conceal it.

no medical condition that could cause me to fall out of a ladderstand...mine is a mental condition

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if i were hunting public land id have me a climber,, around here it would be stolen if it were a ladder or a portable stand and you might want to check you state laws i think here in michigan you cant have a stand up for more than 5 days or something,, i'm pretty sure theres a law about that

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All great info here - Personally, it depends on the terrain. There are many great places to hunt that do not have adequate trees for climber stands (my favorite and most comfortable). It seems that ladder stands and hang-ons do not get stolen as much as a climber stand (I've had 3 climbers stolen - once out of my truck at Walmart, two out in the woods, one of them was returned)

Blinds have their place, too though. Whether you are going to purchase one or build one from natural terrain, they can be very effective. I thought I would get busted by deer more while on the ground but 8 years of hunting have proven me wrong - I get busted when in a tree stand more often than ground hunting.

A good blind can conceal you more than being 15 feet up, but having a greater view of the area is a fantastic advantage of being elevated. I've seen deer in a stand that would have been impossible if I were on the ground. Again, it depends on the terrain.

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so how do them climbers work?? how do you get them to where you want them??

Don't let them scare you off because you are not familiar with them. Climbers are as safe as any treestand when used properly. Sounds like your situation is ideal for a climber. There are different styles, but for a beginner I'd suggest a Summit Viper. If you have good upper body strength the Summit open shot delux would be a good choice as well.

Go to this website and order the safety and instructional DVD's. They are free!

http://www.summitstands.com/catalog.aspx?catid=treestandhuntingvideosdvds

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if i were hunting public land id have me a climber

That's what I would do! My personal feelings about ground blinds for deer. The deer walk them woods all the time, they know it like you know your own living room. Once they see something out of place that wasn't there the day before, they get a little spooky. I and my father seen this many times, which is why we don't use them for deer anymore. Now for any gun season, I don't see much of a problem, because usually you see them before they see you. Archery season, the blind stays home. Now if you can leave the blind up a week or two they will get used to it. But then you run the risk of getting it stolen! Get a climber! ;)

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I thought you said you had Epilepsy???

Do you have any Seizures???

ya i do but i can climb ladders and do what not

I would personally not risk getting up in a tree with epilepsy. i've got a friend who has it and while she is fine, if she doesn't have her service dog with her, i have no warning that a seizure's about to happen.

i'd play it safe and hunt from the ground.

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yeah if i can find a huntingbuddy around here

If your seizures are controlled then I wouldn't let that keep me out of a tree. Do you drive or bike ride? That is much more risky in my opinion. If you can't find a buddy then let someone know where you will be and what time to expect you back. Also fasten a charged cell phone to you so if you fall out and the harness catches you you'll be able to call for help if needed. Place some screw steps in the tree a few inches higher than the level your feet would be at in case you do fall and are suspended by the harness. That way you can relieve the pressure created by the harness.

It's a lot of work, but never compromise on your safety. Practice in a park or at home several times before you hunt.

After a while you'll have a system down and you'll be set in no time.

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