Here in my area as I'm sure in other areas treestands are by far the most popular style or technique of hunting among the hunters. But when you use a handgun as your weapon are groundblinds natural or commercial better options? Please chime in with responses.

i prefer to hunt the ground nowadays. i think i've outgrown the treestand deal. a natural blind, especially in a funnel area, is my preference. i think i killed my first handgun deer out of a stand, but all others on the ground. of course it will depend on the area. some spots a treestand may be totally necessary....and possibly even very useful.

When conditions are right I like to stalk/still hunt. We have fixed (permanent) elevated stands in prime areas for morning and evening posting. When it is -20 in the AM a little shelter is nice. Also a few ladders along wooded travel routes. There is some pretty thick brush in this country so a little elevation can be advantageous. Bottom line is we hunt in every possible manner, gotta be flexible.

On the ground, next to a log or in a pile of brush/limbs. That's how I do'er.

95% of it is personal preference. I try to put myself in a bow-hunting scenario and I know I will do just fine. Whether that is in a tree or on the ground.

Duane

I believe that it may depend on many factors. Wind,Terran,what you are hunting
and what with. I like Both tree stands and ground blinds for archery,Both for
hand gun and shoot gun hunting (mainly made from stuff nearby), But withe a
rifle I will almost all ways use a tree stand. On my lease we have several
shooting houses and permanent ladder stands I will not use these at all. They
have up for 3-4 years and I believe that the big ones know that they are there.
All of the big bucks are taken back in the hard woods

I am mobility impaired and therefore hunt from the ground either in a pop-up blind or natural ground blind.

I am not that good of a shot with a handgun so a treestand or ground blind with a rest is a must for me. The older I get the more those crosshairs move. When trying to make a stalk and I`am able to get within range I will go into a sitting position and use my knees as a rest or find a blow down to use as a rest along with my pack

Thanks for all replies. I know it depends on situation and where you find a hot area. My thinking was a ground blind would provide a more stable/solid position for shooting if a shot presents itself. I would think unless you use a treestand with a shooting rail it would seem awkward at least it would to me.

A Monopod resting in the divot just behind the toe of your boot works very well to steady your shot.

When using a tree stand, I use my knees to rest my pistol on. If you had a rail, it could and should be possible to rest the pistol on. I would find a way to make it comfortable and practice it.

They tell you to practice elevated shots from bow stands, or simulations there of, to become acclimated to the angle difference.

Again, this is something that is a personal preference. What ever you decide, I would highly encourage simulating/practice shooting the same way!

Duane

I have a few tree stands. Each have a few branches that work for rests. One has a shooting rail that can be used or folded back out of the way. I have a couple elevated blinds with shelves built into the window area. When walking I use shooting sticks and a sand bag filled with rice and clipped to my belt for easy carry. Tree branches, rocks, or any solid rest I can get to is an advantage. That's one of the great challenges of handgun hunting, improvise with what you have at the time.