Unless you have a long time deer hunting lease or own your own deer hunting land, as a whitetail deer hunter you will wish to invest in some type of portable hunting stand.   There is a wide variety of hunting stands to choose from with different types of devices to attach it to the chosen tree.  Comfort comes into play also with some stands being mere perches which are not very conducive to long vigils waiting for that trophy buck to make his appearance.

If you wish to invest in cheap hunting blinds or deer stands there are many on the market, but you are probably aware that most whitetail deer hunting accidents involve hunters falling from tree stands.  So, this means you should carefully consider everything involved before deciding a tree stands hunting pros and cons.  Let’s look at some different types of blinds and hunting tree stands including the new pop up blinds.

Location, Location, Location



Assuming you already know roughly where you want to place your tree stand or ground hunting blind, you have surveyed the terrain and chosen the best tree stand access route.  The prevailing winds and ease of getting to your stand may help you decide what type of tree stand or ground blind you choose.  If the elevation is right you may choose from a selection of cheap hunting blinds which will work as well as a more expensive tree stand or ground hunting blind.

But in most cases a tree is chosen as a vantage point and because the deer hunter is above the visual range  of the deer.  Scent dispersion also plays a part in choosing a tree hunting stand.  A deer hunter’s scent can give his presence away quickly and silently.  Ground hunting blinds and partially covered or closed tree hunting stands help the deer hunter’s scent stay in or disperse upwards instead of drifting downwind and alerting the deer.  But the type of weapon a deer hunter uses also plays a part in whether a ground hunting blind, a climber tree stand, or a deer hunting ladder type stand is used.

The Tree Stand and the Weapon of Choice



Unfortunately, not every type of deer hunting stand is conducive to all deer hunting weapons. A whitetail archery hunter may have a hard time trying to shoot from a covered or closed tree hunting stand. An archery hunter has to be able to maneuver his body around in different directions to be comfortable while making a shot. Hang on stands, with an accompany tree hunting ladder, gives the bow hunter free movement while keeping him above the whitetail’s view.

This same set up however, would be awkward for a black powder hunter holding a heavy rifle for long periods of time while perched on a hang on stand. Even for the modern high powered rifle users this stand is not comfortable for long hunting stints. But there are also deer stand towers with ample space where whitetail bow hunters can stand or sit comfortably during extended hunting periods. So consider your own particular hunting weapons and tactics, it may make the difference in your entire deer hunting experience.

                                               Tree Stand Access and Mobility



Other factors may also play a role in helping you decide the right deer hunting stand for your own needs.  Perhaps you are unable to climb well because of an injury or because you are not as young as you used to be.  In this case a ground hunting blind may be in order or even perhaps a deer stand tower with all of the comforts you love.  Your budget will help you make this decision in most cases but there are some very good cheap hunting blinds on the market.  When I say “cheap hunting blinds” I do not mean to say they are not good materials or workmanship, I mean the cost is low and the functions are excellent.  One problem with today’s hunting and fishing programs is the false impression given about using expensive deer hunting or fishing products.  Good products yes, but not necessary for results.

The cheap hunting blinds come in several types.  Pop up blinds are very popular as they literally pop up when you remove them from the bag.  You then stake them down quickly and are ready to hunt.  These pop up blinds are cleverly camouflaged with zippered flaps and doors for easy access and good visibility for the deer hunter.  Some pop up blinds have scent control built into the fabric giving the whitetail hunter added stealth.  I highly recommend this type of pop up blind for older and younger deer hunters.

                                               Are You Comfortable? 



If you are a newcomer to whitetail deer hunting you will soon find out why using tree stands hunting for extended periods of time can be tiring.  Even if you are young and in good shape it doesn’t help your aim to be freezing cold or have stiff joints in your fingers and toes.  A fully covered deer stand tower with smooth sliding windows and a carpeted floor is great.  Too cold, turn up the heater and hand me a bowl of hot soup.  There is no rule against hunting in comfort, it just costs more. 

Just like the cheap hunting blinds, there are inexpensive tree ladder stands too.  Having one or more of each is even better.  A sturdy tree hunting ladder stand is great for those still clear days but a pop up ground hunting blind is beneficial on the rainy cold mornings when a tree hunting stand would be out of the question.  A combination of the two can give you an added edge over the other hunters using a ladder or climber tree stand.

Make Your Stand On “Stands”


So now you have an idea of what to look for when choosing a deer hunting stand. I’m sure there will be some mitigating circumstances involved as we all have these pesky problems. But you will get past them and besides, you need to struggle some along the way while achieving the elusive trophy buck of your dreams. We all have to struggle a little but it makes the story better anyway. So, a happy and safe deer hunting season to you!