First Solo Hunt - Tree Stand or Ground Blind

[Tnbowhunter1]

Hey guys, first time poster here. Love the forum and wanted to thank everyone for all the advice they've shared over the years. It's been invaluable to me since I just moved to TN.

I'm headed out to do some solo white tail hunting on public land this fall - and I'm stuck over whether to buy a quick pop-up blind, or to grab tree sticks and a hang on stand.

Some more info:
- Bow hunting
- Cheatham WMA (primarily)
- Most mornings, pack in before sunrise, packout by 11am.
- I have early bird archery hunt, so starting early this year.

My thoughts with the ground blind are ease of use, easy to setup, and easy to carry in. I'll be solo so the safety factor is also appealing of the ground blind. Of course since it's on public land, I won't have anytime to set the blind and let deer get used to it. It will be setup everytime I go in. Slightly worried about disrupting the deer's habitat and busting out.

On the other hand, tree stands offer far more visibility, help to keep me above the deer's vision, etc etc. But it's louder to setup and more involved for me as a solo hunter. Just wondering what everyone else's opinions are on this issue, and how other people have had success in past.

Thanks again for all of the advice everyone - happy hunting it's almost fall!

 

[MickThompson]

Get a climber.


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[Tnbowhunter1]

Thanks for the reply @MIckThompson -- would you recommend a climber over the hang-on and tree sticks? Easier to manage as a solo hunter? I've only been in ladder stands and permanently placed elevated blinds.

 

[MickThompson]

Easier for a solo hunter to set up.
Easier to move to a new spot.
Easier for you to try new spots since you have to pack the stand in anyways.
Easier to not get stolen because you take it with you every time you leave.

Add a set of mil surplus backpack straps with a kidney belt instead of the straps that come with it.

I like lock ons if I can leave them up or on crooked trees but a climber is much faster for me to set up in the dark. Cheatham has no shortage of straight trees to pick from.

Ground blinds work best on flat ground and there's a shortage of that on cheatham.


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[Tnbowhunter1]

Awesome - that's exactly the insight I was looking for. I know it's hilly terrain over there, headed to scout over the next week before I grab my stand/blind. Thanks for the info

 

[Hardwoodmaterials]

Grab you a Summit climber AND a good quality safety harness that's easy to get on/off and USE it. I also recommend the rope style tree strap since it's as simple as it comes to use even in the dark. You will also want a set of MOLLE backpack straps or the upgraded Summit deluxe backpack straps both will be a huge improvement over the straps you get with the stand.

 

[Tnbowhunter1]

Thanks Hardwoodmaterials. I've checked out the reviews on summit and hear good things. Going to bass pro shop to see them in person, will definitely check out the upgraded straps too

 

[Hardwoodmaterials]

You will want to talk to Gator-n-Buck on here. He is a good guy to deal with and can save you some money on a stand. viewtopic.php?f=22&t=364693

 

[MickThompson]

I have an API but that's because it's what I bought first. I've hunted out of a Summit and it's a Ford/Chevy/Dodge deal. The Summit was fine too.

It bears repeating-
Wear your harness and be tied in from the time your feet leave the ground until they touch down again.


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[Tnbowhunter1]

So I just went and checked out stands, def going to with a climber. I'm looking for one under 20 lbs, saw both the API and the Summit. Personally want the open style because I'm bow hunting. Def going to invest extra in straps and a comfy harness.

Will update when I choose / use one. Thanks again

 

[MickThompson]

So I just went and checked out stands, def going to with a climber. I'm looking for one under 20 lbs, saw both the API and the Summit. Personally want the open style because I'm bow hunting. Def going to invest extra in straps and a comfy harness.

Will update when I choose / use one. Thanks again

I'd test drive one if I could. I felt like I was about to tumble out the front without the bar and I like sit/stand climbing better than all arms and abs.


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[double browtine]

So I just went and checked out stands, def going to with a climber. I'm looking for one under 20 lbs, saw both the API and the Summit. Personally want the open style because I'm bow hunting. Def going to invest extra in straps and a comfy harness.

Will update when I choose / use one. Thanks again

I'd test drive one if I could. I felt like I was about to tumble out the front without the bar and I like sit/stand climbing better than all arms and abs.


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^^^^^This

A sit and stand climber is way better in my opinion. I mean you have to stand up to shoot your bow, and the rail and sling seat is alot more comfortable. Lot easier to climb in too.

 

[TNTreeman]

Climber, safety harness, cell phone and a friend that knows where you are. I have API and a summit. Like them both equal . Let a friend have the ability to ping your phone in case something happens. Good luck

 

[Mike Belt]

All good advice. If you can swing it you might get a climber and a hang on. I'd carry my climber in first and scout/hunt. You may come across a hot spot where the trees in the area just don't accommodate a climber. Next trip in there carry the hang on. Both types of stands serve their purpose.

 

[ZachMarkus]

You said you will be hunting Cheatham, do you live close to Nashville? If so I have a summit viper SD that you're welcome to come try out and see how you like it.


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[woodsman04]

I'd also recommend the summit climber. I understand the open shot climbers, but very rarely do I feel like my cross bar hinders me from a shot when bow hunting, plus you get a gun rest if you want your rifle.
Also easier to climb, I feel they are safer, and it's easy to rest your bow across it.


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[Tnbowhunter1]

Wow - even more great advice. Thanks to everyone for the input. I am def having second thoughts on the open stand, going to try and test drive one for sure now. Zach Markus - shootin u a Pm. I live in Nashville. Also good job on the podcast the other day

 

[Mike Belt]

Summit makes a great stand as do several others. I really prefer climbers with a detachable shooting rail. I take it off during archery and put it back on during rifle.

 

[HoytDawg]

TnBowhunter, the popular opinion here has been summit, but I have an ol man with a mesh seat that you're more than welcome to try as well. I've never used a summit but love my ol man.
I'll be out there for the early bird hunt as well and will be using it if you want to test it out one day.


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['borohunter]

Not to "pile on" but have a summit climber as well and have shot many deer out of it - both gun and bow. It's lightweight and easy to get in and out of. Just be sure there are straight trees (shouldn't be hard around here) with no/small branches. If windy don't climb a tree that is too skinny as you'll sway and always wear the safety harness. Take a collapsible pruning saw and should be good to go.

 

[Hardwoodmaterials]

On the Summit, not sure about others, you can adjust the seat to set up high on the frame while bow hunting and adjust it to set deep in the frame for rifle so you can use the front rail as a rest.

 

[tree_ghost]

First off welcome to the campfire! Secondly you picked an excellent topic for your first thread. I would agree with the others on getting a climber for your first stand. They are very simple and user friendly. There are some very good manufacturers out there for high quality portable lightweight stands. If your primary area is Cheatam then your going want to take the weight of the treestand into consideration for sure. 4-5 pounds will make a huge difference when your tearing up those hills and hollers. I have a summit openshot with a hazemore silent seat as my climber setup. It's very light at 15lbs but doesn't offer the "security" of a enclosed style platform. I would not even consider a blind as my primary means of being hidden. Every deer in the forest will pick you off 100yards out on public and it will Be game over. Whichever route you decide to go make sure you give yourself time to practice with it in a controlled environment prior to hitting the woods. Set it up at home during the day and get your safety harness fitted properly and practice climbing a tree with your lifeline. Once you feel confident in the setup and takedown process try it when it gets dark one evening to simulate real life hunting situations. Good luck my friend!


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[MickThompson]

While we are spending your money, get a deer cart. I had to drag a 90# doe 3/4 mile last year on flat terrain/slight downhill grade down the farm road because it was impassible in a truck. Took me nearly an hour. Deer stick to mud. They don't slide. She was caked in mud, making for the messiest skinning job ever.

I bought a deer cart and rolled a 180# buck, my stand, and all my other gear 600 yards a month later and barely knew it was back there.


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[swd]

I bought a deer cart and rolled a 180# buck, my stand, and all my other gear 600 yards a month later and barely knew it was back there.

What do you do with the deer cart while you're up in the tree?

Thanks!

 

[rtaylor]

I'll agree with the climber. I've got an older API, an old man, a summit SD and a millenium hang on. I grab the Summit 90% of the time. They are fairly quiet to set up and if you are hiking a long ways you'll want the lightest one you can get. I also like the bar across the front. I've shot deer at 5 yards with my bow and the rail doesn't get in the way. Get a fanny pack to put all of your stuff in and you're ready to go. Definitely wear your safety harness.

 

[MickThompson]

I bought a deer cart and rolled a 180# buck, my stand, and all my other gear 600 yards a month later and barely knew it was back there.

What do you do with the deer cart while you're up in the tree?

Thanks!

I leave it in the truck until I need it.


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[Mike Belt]

I usually don't take it mine in with me unless I'm almost positive I'll need it. I have taken it in where I hunt if I hunt there often and just leave it stashed away until needed.

 

[Mr_TTT2]

Climber. My first year hunting here, pop up, tried at least. Too noising, pain to setup, more gear to carry in so sweated more, can only see 30-40 yards in woods. Climber, easier to setup, can see way more woods.
Plus deer need to get use to pop up in woods.
I have hunted on ground before, run gun day or kids day, just brought a camo net and sat on hill shooting down. Much easier , not as good as climber, hunting really one direction.