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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: jtwalsh62 on October 31, 2009, 10:44:00 AM
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Who hunts only on the ground and why
who hunts only in a stand and why
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Both, depends on the spot and the wind...
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For me it just comes down to evaluating what's gonna give the best concealment and best shot opportunity at 15 yards and under. I'll do whatever's necessary after that.
If I can get up a tree, that's usually my first choice. The treestand usually allows you to pull off a shot undetected, and typically without things getting in the way of your shooting form.
If there's no tree suitable, I'll make a natural ground blind.
Once in a while a spot will just naturally lend itself to a great ground ambush. If I feel both options will work just as well as the other, I'll take the ground. Less work ;)
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Depends on the situation and who I'm hunting with. I love a good tree stand setup but it does kinda tie you down. Being tied to a stand can actually be a good thing if it's in a good spot though. Probably more guys have missed chances at deer because they got bored and decided to sneak around somewhere than any other cause I can think of. Staying put in a good stand is critical during the rut.
If no tree is available, my Niff-T-Seat and a brushpile or my ground blind are my next choice. A blind tucked up under some overhanging tree branches or set in tall weeds (taller than the blind) so it's not skylined is very quick and easy.
If I'm taking the kids, it's the ground blind almost every time. They sit still better if I DON'T take the blind but they get tired of it quicker. The ground blind lets them move around a bit and I don't have to be on their case to sit still.
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Almost always form the ground. Killed my frist animal this year form treestand this spring. Mainly still hunt and ground blinds. But I am getting more into treestand hunting now.
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I hunt almost exclusively from the ground. I have a bad back and it's hard for me to sit for a long period of time,so hunting from the ground allows he to get up and move around to work the kinks out as needed. I usualy have several spots that I sit,so I can get up and stillhunt from place to place and it gives me a change of scenery. Other times I just get up and stretch,then sit back down and wait somemore.
(Besides,anything higher than a barstool gives me a nosebleed) :scared:
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I used to tree stand hunt only. Now I ground hunt since I have had deer walk within ten feet of me while I was sleeping in my hunting stool! It is startling to wake up and have deer eating around you! I figure it must have been my snoring that attracted them. I also find it easier to shoot more accurately straight on than at a down angle. I have had fewer misses this way.
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Both ,I think a tree stand that is set up correctly will give you a better chance sometimes. A well set up ground blind can be just as good. Watch the wind in both cases and breakup your outline. I really like the ground the best. Most likely why I see so few deer!!
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Hunting from a tree also allows you to see greater distance. You may possibly see other movement patterns and be able to adjust your setup accordingly.
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Spot and stalk for me.
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Ground only. Never hunted from a tree stand. Not saying I wouldn't though but, you can't pattern Blacktails like you can Whitetails.
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Ground only.
Elk, Bear, Cougar and Blacktail deer around here are high movement animals that do not lend themselves to being patterned. A hot area one day might be empty of animals the next 15 to 20. Western Washington can be tough hunting. Persistance and a lot of scouting can keep you on animals but you have to work hard for that to happen. Needless to say. Ground hunting is the the main way to stay successful.
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spot and stalk as i have never hunted from a tree stand. and any how i think the trees are for the birds. :biglaugh: and i like my feet on the ground
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Ishiwaanbe said it exactly as i would. both depends on the wind and the area i'm hunting.
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I perfer the ground for multiple reasons, and only use a stand when scouting/hunting(i do my scouting while hunting). I do get busted alot while on the ground though, but it sure is a rush getting that close.
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I use both depending on the wind.
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I am reading Fred Asbell's book on stalking and still hunting, It is sparking my interest into ground hunting. Ive been only in tree stands for over 25 years now. Im realizing that this limits my oportunities to only a couple of spots ( I only have 2 tree stands) I can build ground blinds for free ! verses one hundered dollar ladder stands. I could hunt my whole woods and anywhere else I have permission, instead of just limiting myself to 2 treestands. The reason I bought the book is I am also concerned with standing for hours in my tree stands, I cannot get comfortable shooting from the sitting position now that I took my training wheels off my bow !
Dan
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Ground only for me though some times I sit a bit and/or make low impact ground blinds.
Why - partly because I don't want to hump treestands around the woods, partly because I'm cheap, partly because I like being eye-level with the deer.
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I will hunt wherever i think my best chance at shooting a deer is. If I am sleepy i will stay on the ground. If I am entering a woods blind I stay on the ground. I left my stands in WI when I moved to NY 6 years ago. I don't really miss them however I still enjoy properly placed stands from time to time.
Charlie
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I have had success on both, but the fall won't kill you. Its the sudden stop. Always place safety first and the hunt second, and you will live to repeat the adventure. My friend fell 8ft only and broke his back in 4 places. MD told him he was extremely lucky. He never wore a harness. Now he hunts only from the ground, and his back hurts off and on. Be careful
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Almost always from the ground.
Why?
Woodchucker said it best...(Besides,anything higher than a barstool gives me a nosebleed) :scared:
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I hunt from the ground exclusively--I'm afraid of heights.
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I've been hunting from the ground for 2 years now and I like it. I havent killed one yet but that is not a great concern. Ive had deer spiting distance from me and my 10 year old son and thats a rush for a kid and for me to, plus it's alot warmer down there!! :thumbsup: Jason
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100% on the ground; I like to be able to keep the wind in my face; not counting having the worries of falling out of tree and not having a heavy load while walking in; I have killed as many deer on the ground as others have out of a tree stand;
secret? ghillie suit; most amazing thing there is... :campfire:
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I dig hunting from the ground. Got one deer from a tree stand (with a wheelie bow) and found it wasn't my cup of tea. I don't care if I get busted alot. It's alot of fun being eye to eye with deer.
Black bear over bait... That's when a tree stand works for me. Not crazy about heights but bear hunting is a different story.
... mike ...
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Nearly always from the ground...unless I have a good spot to set up and leave my ladder stand.
I started hunting on the ground my senior year of highschool when I dislocated my scholder. The doc said it would be ok to shoot a bow, but to not do any pulling from over my head. So I was grounded for the season and ended up killing a decent buck at only 8 yards.
I always thought treestands were a bit of a pain - especially climbers before daylight. Now I just open up my fold-up stool and sit somewhere with good cover behind me to break up my outline. I have yet to have a deer bust me trying to draw while on the ground. I just blew a shot at a doe this past Friday (pick a spot is something to remember) and even after I missed she still had no idea I was there, but just didn't give me another shot.
If I start getting busted drawing on deer I might think of going back to a treestand more often, but right now a new treestand is at the bottom of my wish list.