When choosing how best to go afield, many hunters every year are left to compare the virtues of a ground blind vs tree stand.
While both of these options are wonderful companions for bow hunters, certain characteristics often give one a slight edge over the other.
In this piece, we will compare ground blind and treestand, to assist you in making the best possible choice for the season ahead.
We'll consider following factors:
Versatility - Ground Blind
One of the most valuable aspects of ground blind usage is that a blind can be placed virtually anywhere that a hunter sees fit.
Field edges, brushy fencerows, and dense woodlots are all well suited to ground blind use.
If a location allows stakes for securement to be driven into the ground, a blind can be used.
On the other hand, treestands can be quite limited in their use, as a relatively straight tree of the correct diameter is necessary for placement.
Because of this, a hunter must base their efforts on where a suitable tree can be found, and less on where frequent game movement is observed.
Most Durable - Treestand
Image source: treewalkertreestands.com
When considering overall durability, treestands hold a sizable advantage.
A treestand's all-metal construction typically leads to a service life of well over a decade, with few if any issues.
Lock-on and ladder stands can be left in a tree from season to season without being phased by whatever nature can throw at them.
When the following season arrives, simply inspect any hold-down straps, check for loose fitment points, and begin hunting.
Even climbing stands that receive heavy usage can easily last for 5-10 years, with little worry of mechanical fatigue.
Ground blinds, on the other hand, are not capable of withstanding constant and unrelenting exposure to the elements.
A blind is made to weather several months of continued use in the elements.
However, constant exposure to the sun’s UV radiation fades camouflage and breaks down fabric construction.
Most Comfortable - Ground Blind
Via bowhunting360.com
Ground blinds can offer a hunter the ultimate in comfort. This is because of the spacious size and numerous seating options that ground blinds allow.
Though ground blinds come in many sizes and shapes, most offer enough room for one or more hunters to sit with their legs fully outstretched in comfort.
Additionally, ground blind users have the unique option of being able to bring ground chair with them that they see fit.
This custom choice in seating means that every hunter’s comfort needs are met in his or her own specific way.
In contrast, treestands come with their chairs as part of the unit.
These seats are not always comfortable, and their included foam pad is often thin and quick to wear out.
A treestand is also rarely perfectly level in a tree.
This means that a hunter must somewhat brace themselves to remain comfortable in a treestand.
This leads to fatigue as well as aggravation.
Shot Availability - Ground Blind
When it comes to your ability to take a shot when the opportunity arises, no matter the angle in which game approaches, it is hard to beat a ground blind.
Many of today’s moderate to higher-end ground blinds offer 360-degree shootability.
This is due to the inclusion of slide-open window openings that span the perimeter of the blind.
Even lesser-priced blinds typically feature full-size shooting windows on 3-4 sides.
This allows shots to be taken, even when deer or turkey approach from unexpected angles.
Treestands on the other hand, only offer shooting angles slightly greater than 180 degrees.
This can spell difficulty when game species do not approach within this range of shootability.
Additionally, shots from a ground blind do not feature the same steep angles of those from a treestand.
Aiming at, and ranging deer from a treestand can be difficult, as arrow trajectory can be affected by such steep angles.
This scenario can often cause a hunter to shoot over or under a deer as a result.
Because ground blinds are not situated at any point of elevation, these trajectory issues do not come into play.
Instead, aiming can take place just as it would during practice sessions.
How They Stack Up
When comparing ground blind vs tree stand based upon the outlined criteria, ground blinds provide a slight edge over treestands, due to:
If you do not currently hunt from a ground blind, you should give serious consideration to giving one a try this season.
Which method of hunting do you prefer?
Do hunt from a ground blind or a treestand, and what factors make you favor one over the other?
Please feel free to leave any comments that you might have below.
