Ground blind or tree stand for this upcoming Whitetail (rifle) season, which do you prefer? I am using a Savage 25-06 model 111.

[MichiganNative]

Ground blind or tree stand for this upcoming Whitetail (rifle) season, which do you prefer? I am using a Savage 25-06 model 111.

[JM]

I like being at ground level, but that is just a personal preference. A lot of factors go into a blind vs tree stand. If it is going to be cold/you get cold easily, go with a blind. Also, if rain is in the forecast a blind will keep you dry. If the weather will be tolerable and you have a good spot picked out go with a stand. A blind can be moved more easily. If hunting on public land I would use a ground blind with lots of orange tape or something to signal where you are. The Savage 111 is pretty long, so make sure you have plenty of room if you are in a blind. If you are going to use a tree stand be safe and use a harness.

[4everAutumn]

I'd say on top of what JM posted, it depends on where you can see the furthest. The farm I hunt in southern Iowa has stands where you can see a long ways and other stands where you can see greater distances from the ground. I prefer to rifle hunt on the ground here, but by the time the season I hunt rolls around, it is in the dead of winter and the leaves are long gone.

[MichiganNative]

I can see the furthest when i'm next to the treeline looking out into the field. But the hunting area i'm at in West MI goes into the woods by a creek and wetlands with lots of cover. I went out spotting yesterday and watched a nice meaty 6 point and another spike roll in when i did some doe bleating, but the swamp has a lot of cover, i might need to use a non permanent stand if they stay in there all year. Yeah I've preferred to be at ground level as well when i began hunting. I've already got a 2 person blind for this season but was wondering if i could try something new. I get cold fairly easy, and i did notice when i tested out my blind that it traps in heat very well and has a lot of permanent orange reflectors, my girlfriend thought they where used for finding the blind after dark... which could work, but still its actually for warning OTHER hunters. Thank you both for the helpful information and your feed on your preference.

[Pathfinder1]

Hi...

I am of the opinion that a deer is less likely to look up at a tree stand (providing you are keeping very still), than a ground blind.


That may be the reason that tree stands are getting more and more popular...!!

[MichiganNative]

Yeah that's another reason why I considered getting a stand, but the blind I have has blacked out interior that really suppresses the vision of anyone or thing outside of the blind seeing you. But considering that i'm using a rifle this season, inside a blind I wouldn't have to make much movement when I see the deer I want (knock an arrow and pull back, take aim.)

I'll have to use my doe bleat with the neck lace and have my rifle at the ready (but on safe).

[Wolves Crossbreed]

Defiantly a tree blind. Longer view distance, better shots open up, your scent is above their level, your not obstructing their path, and personally I like to be higher than my prey as I hunt to signify my position higher on the food chain.

[jhjimbo]

I have hunted around Kalkaska and Travers City on the ground with only a natural ground blind and did o.k.
Also, a lot safer on the ground and easier to make a move if necessary.

[Optimum Outdoors]

Tree stand: you don't have to worry about scent as much, and in my opinion some stands offer better shots

[charlie elk]

Yeah that's another reason why I considered getting a stand, but the blind I have has blacked out interior that really suppresses the vision of anyone or thing outside of the blind seeing you. But considering that i'm using a rifle this season, inside a blind I wouldn't have to make much movement when I see the deer I want (knock an arrow and pull back, take aim.)

I'll have to use my doe bleat with the neck lace and have my rifle at the ready (but on safe).

Depends. In some populated areas safety could be a concern shooting from an elevated position gives the bullet a downward trajectory. Elevation can give you better visibility in brushy areas. Whereas a ground position hides a hunter better in more open areas.
In my opinion a lot of modern hunted deer look up for danger rather than down. While on the ground many deer have walked up to me while scanning the trees for danger.
Good hunting.

[charlie elk]

Depends. In some populated areas safety could be a concern shooting from an elevated position gives the bullet a downward trajectory. Elevation can give you better visibility in brushy areas. Whereas a ground position hides a hunter better in more open areas. In my opinion a lot of modern hunted deer look up for danger rather than down. While on the ground many deer have walked up to me while scanning the trees for danger. Good hunting.

[Keith Avery]

What ever happened to sitting on a bucket on the ground. I have killed a lot of deer this way.