Ground or Tree?

[MtnHunter]

Not a frequent poster, but here goes: It sounds like most people think tree stands are better ambush areas than ground blinds. At this time, getting a tree stand isn't feasible for me. For hunters in similar situations and myself, 1) is climbing a tree "kid style" and shooting from a branch realistic? Would it help if I secured myself with a rock climbing harness? 2) If it's not feasible, what would you take into consideration when deciding how to ambush at a timbered sidehill wallow and/or an open meadow wallow.

Last year, at an open meadow wallow, I hid 50 yards away in the nearest brush backing up to an aspen grove. Still wasn't very secluded, so I sat below the level of the bushes and silently listened. Actually had one come in this way, but was too far away for a shot. I was on the downwind side of the wallow. Also sat at a timbered sidehill wallow, but with the thermals moving down in the middle of the day it was hard to find a good position that would provide an opportunity for a shot. What would you do?

[Still Hunter]

Check the area for game trails going to the wallow. You might find a better ambush spot there.

[Jaquomo]

Sometimes even a treestand isn't workable, depending upon the wind direction, thermals, and where the elk come from. I know of at least 15 wallows/waterholes that are like that.

Just curious why getting a treestand isn't feasible? If it's finances, understandable, but you can get little lightweight, low-featured treestands these days for really cheap. I'd never trust a tree branch or anything else anymore after a fall that should left me paralyzed, but Somebody was looking out for me. The branch I'd trusted for four or five days prior broke with no warning before I'd had time to secure my safety belt. Never again. $70 is a small price to pay for safety.

[Willie makit]

Tree stand hunting "kid style " would be unrealistic in my opinion strictly from a comfort standpoint, while I've not elk hunted myself, I'm sure on average several hours a day have to be put in to be successful. I can sit daylight to dark several days in a row in my stands, Sitting on a branch an hour makes my butt hurt thinking about it. I'm sure there are some trees that could be comfortable, but finding one like that AND in the right place is going to be slim pickings I'd wager.

I'm looking to bivy in a few miles and adding a stand to my pack is unrealistic for my plans ATM.

[MtnHunter]

Thanks for the advice. @Jaquomo: The elk in my area are constantly moving due to pressure, etc. so it would be hard to stick to one tree (I also bivy to keep up with them). Thought about carrying a stand on my back, but that might be biting off a bit more than I can chew. Definitely don't want to fall out of the tree!

I like the idea of hanging out near the game trails coming into the wallows... Perhaps I'll give that a try. Has anyone tried digging a hole for a blind?

[rowdycwby1]

I would recommend a climber there light weight and as long as its a decent size tree you can climb it and be set up in no time. Api,summit,and old man make good light and affordable climbers. I have a Api and can through it on top of my daypack and take off and if I find a good spot ill be up and setting comfy within 5 minutes.

[Swede]

MtnHunter: I had a very similar experience to Jacuomo. I feel fortunate to have survived. Never "kid style" climb a tree. Those limbs break with no warning. I have never dug a hole to hunt from, but it sounds better than sitting on a limb. Permanent tree stands are illegal on public lands, but I suspect an enterprising fellow could make a good removable stand for very little money.

[Willie makit]

I recommend a tree walker for a climber, it is very lite, quiet, doesn't slip and best of all made in USA. I sit daylight to dark too many times to count in it. Its lite enough for day trips to strap your backpack Inside the stand and hike in with it.

[Z Barebow]

If the elk move, you need a tree stand system which allows you to move with them.

I use a tree stand to WT's and I put my stand up and take it down every time I hunt. I light weight aluminum stand and some fold up tree steps are a good combo. Not any heavier than a day pack. Throw in a safety vest and a small pruning saw and you are almost there.

A view from my tree on last years hunt. I feel in my heart I could of killed a bull here, but I ran out of time. Best sign I found in 12 days of hunting.

[Jaquomo]

Not sure why you'd want to dig a hole, since it won't do anything to mitigate your scent.

In an open situation like you describe, and I hunt open country a lot, best bet is to get as close as you can on the downwind side of a good entrance trail, with decent cover, and call him over for the shot. Since I started using the Elk Mountain Slip Blind/decoy system, I don't worry about cover nearly as much anymore. Instant blind or "shoot-behind" decoy, with no more trouble than carrying a walking stick. It's now a regular part of my gear for elk and plains muleys. If I don't want to use it as a walking staff, I just carry it in my daypack.

[Elkduds]

I have come across ground blinds placed by others near water-basically a pile of brush that has been there for months or years. The best one I ever saw was a big blownover spruce with branches making a sort of tent, and the rootball between the "tent" and the water, uphill and 20 yards away. If your summer scouting takes you there, you could build a ground blind and leave it for a few months for animals to get used to. Of course, on public land someone may get there before you , take it down or put up a treestand over it.