Pluses, Minuses of Stands
Moreover, I must always think about the element of surprise and whether the stand I choose is best for the ambush site. Let's look at a few situations and discuss stands that work best in each. Any type of tree stand or blind could work anywhere. Nevertheless, when setting up along agricultural fields, food plots, or other open areas, ladder stands and ground blinds are favorites for a variety of reasons. First, consider ladder stands. Manufacturers have done a fabulous job of making these stands easier to set up than ever before. Equally important is the ease of getting them in and out of your hunting area. You can transport ladder stands to fields with less difficulty than woodlots, and they can be left for the duration of the season. Another big plus is that you create a disturbance only when setting up. Finally, many of today's ladder stands offer roomy platforms and seats that keep you comfortable for all-day hunting. One manufacturer claims that ladder stands are one of the biggest sellers and it's where the market trend is going. They now offer 13 types of ladder stands. He also said that customers are becoming demographically older and ladder stands are filling the need to supply older hunters with comfort and features. This individual added that he would like to see more younger people involved in hunting, but statistics indicated hunters, as a group, are not as young as they once were. Ground blinds are another option for the field ambush, and they have improved considerably in recent years. Many allow fast and easy setup with no need to page through complicated instructions. Ground blinds provide a method for escaping drastic weather while still allowing the hunter to shoot most directions. I suggest you set up your ground blind before hunting season to allow time for deer to get used to the new addition. I seldom use them, simply because I would rather be up. Nevertheless, most deer know every crack and cranny of your hunting area and are sure to notice anything new.
