Monday, June 19, 2006
Up A Tree Or On The Ground?
It?s the eternal bow hunting question. Put four or five bow hunters in a room, and ask each one: Where would you prefer to hunt—on the ground or up in a tree on opening day?
The nearly unanimous answer would probably be in a tree stand. That would be my choice although my wife prefers the flat level shots offered from a ground blind. So, is one any better than the other?
On opening day, I think the odds of hunting success are about even although I believe more people will hunt from a tree stand or elevated platform than a ground blind. The answer of which is best is like choosing between lobster or steak for dinner. It’s purely a matter of personal choice.
Some people are afraid of height. I can sit in a tree stand and it doesn’t bother me. Climbing a ladder stand doesn’t bother me, but climbing up screw-in tree stands makes me a bit antsy. People who cannot overcome a fear of height should hunt from the ground.
For many years I’ve hunted on leased land where I had the choice between a dozen different spots on any given day. Several were tree stands or elevated platforms, and several were ground blinds. I’ve always chose the height of a tree stand because the foliage is thick. Being up in the air can offer a slight sight advantage.
However, there are benefits to hunting at ground level as well. Check out these pluses on each side of the on-the-ground or in-the-air ledger, and make your personal decision.
*Ground blinds: These stands are a hotspot in those areas where many hunters hunt from trees. They can be an ace in the hole when deer are spooky.
A pit blind can be one of the most effective ground blinds available. They provide a flat, level shot at deer and can be placed almost anywhere a person doesn’t have to chop through tree roots.
Ground hunters are better protected from strong winds and other elements such as rain or snow.
The wind often blows over a ground-blind hunter. This can eliminate spooking deer by being winded. Of course, hunters must be scent-free at all times.
A person must work very hard to fall out of a ground blind. If they are successful in doing so, the fall is short and little damage is usually done. Such is not true when falling from a tree stand.
There is no need to wear a safety harness when ground hunting. It’s one less thing for hunters to worry about.
In heavily hunted areas, deer spend more time looking up than at ground level. Ground-blind hunters can use this trait to their advantage. It’s often much easier to locate a key stand location on the ground than to find a choice tree location.
Corn stalks, hay bales, uprooted trees, root wads and brush make likely ground level blinds. A pit blind will place most of your body below ground level. A hay bale blind is the warmest stand when hunting in December. Pop-up tents can be quickly moved from one place to another to keep up with deer travels.
Fewer deer are wounded from ground level shots than from an elevated position. The possibility of taking out both lungs is much more likely at this level than from a tree.
*Tree Stands: Greater visibility is offered, and it’s much easier to spot moving deer from a distance, especially after the leaf drop occurs.
In areas where little hunting takes place, deer seldom look up into trees unless they have been shot at. A motionless hunter is seldom detected.
Shots can be taken at close or long ranges, and hunters must practice shooting from an elevated angle. Practice at various distances and heights to be proficient.