Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: darin putman on December 05, 2012, 06:40:00 PM
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So I been trying to take a whitetail from the ground , knew it would be tough, but after spending most of my deer hunting life in the tree's I just never knew how tough!! Getting close hasn't been the problem, I thought that would be it, but it seems if they come within shooting distance that ain't good enough for em, them jokers just like to keep on coming till they make me nervous. Didn't like em under my stand in the trees and I sure don't like em even within 6-8 yards on the ground.Just can't seem to get the draw on em at that distance, I love to hunt thicket's around edge of hardwoods mainly because that's where I see em at, I've learned a lot from your replies and for that I am grateful.Have been within 10 yards of 3 does and 2 bucks within the last couple of weeks, Heard one down in the bottom the other day and managed to slip within 20 yds of a nice mature buck in the dry hardwood leaves, he went about his business not even knowing I was there , just no open shot. I never thought it possible but through the reading of these threads. Not spot and stalk but hear and stalk about as close as you can get around here. Guess just trying to say thanks for helping a fellow to learn new things and plan on keeping at it as long as I can and hopefully it'll come together soon. One more thing thanks for all the tips about wool. My wife thinks I really look crazy in some of the outfits but the deer they don't seem to even see me at all!!!
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Sure is a major rush on the ground huh. :jumper: :jumper:
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Tough but a lot of fun! I love ground hunting.
Sounds like your in the right spots. Good luck.
Rob
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Best thing i ever done was come down out of the tress. It has simplified my hunts and made my hunts more enjoyable due to less gear to carry in and out, and is a huge RUSH!.
Stick with it, youlle get it done!
Good luck!
Paul
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It definitely takes practice, but I get them too close too often on the ground. I generally stick to trees once the leaves fall. It is almost magical on the ground and close to a deer unaware of my presence. I suggest building up something to hide you in your favorite spots, here in MI they really are good and wired to find hunters. If I just sat in front of a tree, I would be seen every time.
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It is great. And that wool sure does hide you. At least until you move to draw. 8>) God Bless
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Sure is fun though
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I know what you mean. I did some ground hunting early on in bow season. It is tough. I got in close enough for a shot many times I just got busted every time I tried to take a shot. Now that the guns are going off it will be even tougher. Looks like you ain't hunting too far from me Darin.
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I know the feeling took few season's on the ground to come together. I love ground hunting and the simlicited. But hard to beat the view from a treestand and the sloppiness that once got away with doesn't work on the ground. Like stalking another tool in the box, but feel it also makes you a better hunter all around.
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Haven't been in a treestand in years..for sure its tougher on the ground...and for the exact reason you stated..just so hard to draw on a buck when you are 20 feet from him at eye level...but man its fun to try!
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Sounds like your on your way, have fun and stay safe.
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Still do it once and a while. Have had deer within 10 ft. a couple of times and it sure is a rush !!!
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Sounds like you're having a great time. Stick with it, you'll get 'er done! :jumper:
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Hunting from the ground is a whole other ballgame! Sure gets your heart racing! Sounds like you're gettin somw close encounters though!
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Thanks for all the words of encouragement, I mainly hunt public land thats bow only so pressure ain't quite as bad, but hunting around the house with my son a lot lately, he's trying to get one with shotgun.I'm having to wear orange cap sure does help build confidence about what deer can't see or pay attention too. Neighbors son deer hunts back there and is taking an interest in bow's now after seeing someone that doesn't use guns much at all but will hunt along with them anyway.Alabama woodsman I generally hunt Shoals Creek preserve, a track of forever wild land in St. Florian untill December 26, then I hit seven mile Island management area in Florence, also bow only for deer but most Saturdays this year I'll be somewhere my son can hunt as he's not able to shoot a bow of legal weight just yet but close!!Just like yall said it is a rush very exciting can't really understand why I get nervous when I'm the one with a bow not them........
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I've been hunting on the ground 3/4 hunts so far this season, havn't gotten to a good shot yet, but best so far was within 30 or so yards of 3 does and called in a buck within 20ish but couldn't see him well enough through the brush. Havn't taken one yet but man what a rush. I remember creeping up to those does, that adrenaline high lasted well into the evening! I've hunted from the stand once so far and I felt too disconnected from the forest way up there. Down on the ground I feel like more of a predator.
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It certainly is tough. This was my first still-hunted deer and remains my best hunt/shot ever; though it was only 14 paces. That's why it is my Avatar. I spent five years trying and had two-dozen non-shots from being outsmarted or, twice, m-m-m-m-missing.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v169/Stumpkiller/Bowhunting/deer2B.jpg)
Not the biggest buck - but I can describe every detail of the site, approach, shot, strike and aftermath. It's burned in my brain.
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" Heard one down in the bottom the other day and managed to slip within 20 yds of a nice mature buck in the dry hardwood leaves"
How did you manage to close the distance in the dry leaves? I am in my first year of hunting some on the ground after many years in the trees. It has been slow, but definitely fun. I too have struggled with drawing on a close deer. I have not tried moving on them. Our deer are very, very wired. How did you do it?
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Been trying to get of done for the last couple years. Had them so close I could almost smack'em on the rump. It is definitely easier to get drawn in the trees, but man what a rush when your eye to eye with'em. I'll get'er done one of these years, but for now... just have'n fun try'n!
Jason
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Nice deer stumpkiller, and a well earned congratulations!!!Cato I had been doing a little still hunting behind my house and decided before calling it quits to slip around and see if I could get a shot on one of those big squirrel's I'd been seeing while deer hunting. Wind was blowing steady this day around 11:00 Am and I was hearing the unmistakable sound of a tree being shook down in the hollow, the leaves were very dry and crunchy but I just follow the advice of some folks on this site and been practicing it if I move slow and easy the squirrels don't even pay attention to the noise of the leaves as on a normal day they hear it all day long, just look a lot and walk a little and slow no flailing arms, bows or anything. Short strides try to look like a tree and use any cover available, their advice I just followed and most important detail on this day was the wind. I think between his rubbing , shaking tree and the wind blowing my sound away from him I was just lucky in my choice to pursue what I heard. And due to what he was preoccupied with I was able to spot him before without him knowing, and as he was easing off and me with no shot I felt a great deal of satisfaction even without the shot in knowing I hadn't alerted him!! That same evening I had a smaller buck at about 15 feet he came in feeding, I heard him coming or never would have seen him but he was almost dead downwind from me, I dropped down on a little stump with my back to him expecting him to blow out of there stood there behind me stomped a couple of times I could here then when he started walking I eased my head around and he just eased on off giving no indication that he ever new I was there. I am actually turning into a crunchy leave fan as have been alerted as to the whereabouts of a lot of careless deer by them over the years and I love privet hedge as well deer seem to feel free to move in the thick of it!! Hopefully one day will come together completely but the next seven days back at the grindstone.
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Keep at it Darin! You got to represent for the guys deep down south!
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I've been trying from the ground here on Wheeler refuge and it is hard! Might see ya at seven mile island, Darin, I hunt over there some myself.
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Thanks John, I traded one climber for my crooked stic and sold another to a guy at work so I plan on keeping on trying got to admit I catch myself looking at them but not yet, I really do love heading out with bow, quiver and haversack simplicity at it's best!!
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I lived in Florence for a while and hunted Freedom Hills WMA. I enjoyed that place.
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I try it all the time. I have killed deer still hunting and have snuck up on some, but it sure ain't a way to fill up the freezer in a hurry.
This year on the 3rd day of bow season I spent better than an hour within 60 yards of 3 feeding bucks, one of which was a 150 class 11 or 12 point. When they moved I moved - trying to get a shot. I got within 30 yards at one point, but never had a clean shot close enough. One of the best hunts I've ever been on, even though I couldn't close the deal. Sneak hunting is a rush.
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I've hunted freedom hills several times, it's about an hour and half from the house, just hard to make it over for a day hunt! Good hunting though.
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The Asbell book on still hunting and stalking is actually pretty good. A lot of good tips and makes you think! I think it's worth a read. I've killed them over the years on the ground. Once in an open hardwood i stalked head on from 140 ish yards to 20 yds of 3 bedded deer, 2 mature, using the tips I learned. I killed that sapling in front of that deer by splitting it in 2. That was an amazing experience. The look on her face when she recognized me as human or a threat was one I'll never forget.
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It is tough! I've been doing it myself lately
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I have also spent most of my season on the ground too. I have had many close encounters but haven't had a good shot opportunity yet. Good luck!
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I only hunt on the ground, havn't had a shot yet this season, but I have seen plenty of deer! Background cover and wind direction seem to be the 2 most critical things! I always have cover behind me seems to make a real differance when they are close, I too have been wearing wool, plus keeping your face covered ala paint, mesh head net is critical as they seem to zoom right in on the exposed skin! Now with all that being said still damn hard to get a draw on them even if all things go as planned!
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darin, thanks for posting. It seems you have what it takes and I have that gut feeling we'll be hearing of your first ground harvest in the near future. Stay with it man!
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Haven't hunted as much as intended this year, but it's been exclusively from the ground for the first time. I had my first close encounter the other day, unfortunately not with a deer, but with what appeared to be a very mature coyote. It really surprised me because of course, it came from where I least expected. Came from directly down wind and within about 7 - 8 yards. I just sat frozen when I initially heard the foot falls until it was by me enough that I could ease my head around to see what was walking behind me. No shot was possible, but just having a mature predator like that pass by so close and never have a clue I was there was a real confidence booster.
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No one ever said it was easy. At least I hope not. But boy what a rush. Keep at it. Sounds like your well on your way to being a successful ground hunter. Good luck and "Keep'Um Sharp". :archer2:
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Stick with it. Magic is on the way as your skills come together. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Learn to draw s-l-o-w-l-y and you will shocked what you can get away with. I also adapted what I call a chest draw for very close range that does not give much of a human profile.
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Try to setup with some shooting lanes so you can draw behind cover and shoot through a gap; usually requires some pruning or placement of cover (limbs and other brush).
Most experienced people I talk to recommend letting them pass you, then getting a rear quartering away shot.
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Thanks for all the words of encouragement, indeed it is a rush and very satisfying just to be that close at ground level. I find that I'm learning a lot more about the animals I'm hunting by taking it to the ground, especially what I can and CAN'T get away with. I still can't believe how close they can get and not see you just by having cover behind you verses in front of you, this truly amazes me!! Can't wait till it all comes together and the magic happens but untill then I'll just keep enjoying the hunt!!
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Originally posted by Swinestalker:
Learn to draw s-l-o-w-l-y and you will shocked what you can get away with. I also adapted what I call a chest draw for very close range that does not give much of a human profile.
Yes. And also learn to draw and release in one swift movement.
The most important thing is that when you decide to shoot . . . shoot. There will be no perfect opportunity, but there will be the perfect moment when the arrow is released and strikes where it should.
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Ground hunting is AWESOME!! I've only taken one deer from the ground, everything else from a tree.
One of THE BIGGEST bucks I have ever had the opportunity to loose an arrow too, was on the ground in the middle of a cattail swamp.
I missed right over him, too much adrenaline and unsure if the rut crazed beast would try to gore me.
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Well I've had a lot of time to spend thinking about it. Have looked at a few stands and decided to give it another shot this year. Boots at the ready,new set of 8x42 power leupolds, great new leather side quiver that I got on a trade, surewoods stained crested and fletched up with turkey feathers donated by friends split and ground by me, tuned to my bow, a few more still in the works, almost ready. Waiting on October 15, when once again I will be trying to take one from the ground, call me hardheaded but I've learned a lot the last two years and to take it to the trees now would be me just wanting a kill, that's not me. I want to apply what I've learned and try it again, then if need be the trees will still be there. Untill then practice, practice, practice and maybe it'll all pay off!!
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I'll be there with you this year. Good hunting!
- Jeremy :coffee:
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Good luck, I'm also trying again this year.
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It's the only way to bowhunt. Quiet clothing, wind in your face, the animal slowly walks by offering a quartering away shot at maybe...15 yds. He has no idea your there...arrow slices through, short blood trail....keep your tree stands....LOL
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Plan your shot for when they get a little past you. You can also put out some scent to get them to stop and divert their attention away. I find some dilute vanilla and anise mix to work well.
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Originally posted by moleman:
Best thing i ever done was come down out of the tress. It has simplified my hunts and made my hunts more enjoyable due to less gear to carry in and out, and is a huge RUSH!.
Stick with it, youlle get it done!
Good luck!
Paul
Well said, I too have decided I'm getting too old to fall out of a tree.
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I'll be trying again this year as well. It's such a rush getting close on the ground that I have a hard time going up in a tree any more.
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Paul [/qb][/QUOTE]Well said, I too have decided I'm getting too old to fall out of a tree. [/QB][/QUOTE]
It's not the fall I am afraid of, it's the sudden stop that scares me. :bigsmyl:
I have been hunting on the ground since I gave up my wheels. Had some close calls, but still no kills. I guess that is why it's called hunting not killing.
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Been on the ground since 1975...after a fall from a tree using the original Baker tree stand. Learned how to hunt from the ground after making many mistakes. Knowing how to use all available cover when sitting or still hunting, wind, masking scents and good quiet camo and a firm believer in ASAT camo.
I really believe that all these years of ground hunting has made me a much better hunter and learning how to use everything around me to my advantage.
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Ground is where its at! Hunting not assassination LOL. Once I started encountering game at shooting distances the tree stand went bye bye. Spot and stalk/ still hunting all the way!!! Woohoo!
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You guys make me want to try the ground now. Have thought about it(mostly when struggling to set up a tree stand) and now will give it a shot(as it were...)
I'll still have a few trees set up, but when conditions seem right I'll slip around and see how it goes. Wait a minute - I'll set up a couple of ground blinds!
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I learned to hunt out west and don't think I ever even knew anyone who hunted from a stand out there. Now that I've moved east of the Rockies, sitting in a tree stand seems to be what a lot of hunters prefer to do. If nothing else I think my fear of heights will make me a ground hunter for life.
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I have taken well ever 200 deer from ground and tree, each hunt is differant, I sit on ground , I walk, and climb trees, the terrain decides along with the single animals habits and trails, I prefer ground, but the bucks bad desisions and paths he chooses decides my actions, some of the deer only give us one chance to stick um, If I get sloppy or try to rush the stalk it well fail. Most shots for me on the ground are 5-30ft.
Randy
My favorite thing is popping them while there bedded, thats the real challange.
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Well they say you learn from your mistakes so maybe this will be the year, it is very apparent that I ain't going hungry just a little humbled. I didn't update this last year but had lot's of close calls, can get the draw and release down now but have a problem with shooting high at ten yards and less at live animals. But being the hard headed rascal that I am I think this will be the year, just gotta aim a little lower that's all. I don't get overly excited to the point of loosing it but I also don't practice the close shot like I should. Was shooting the other day and stepped up to about 10 and wouldn't you know it HIGH. I hunt some thick places so shots will be close. Gonna start practicing that close 5-10 yard gimme shot for most untill it's a gimme to me. Got to October 15, looking forward to the hunt.
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Hunting and stalking from the ground. Is a lot of fun. Bear at 3yds will get your heart a pumping. Enjoy
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If you are getting close, you certainly have the basic process under control. It will always be difficult to draw and shoot at close range simply because it involves movement. Yet, it will happen. I am very impressed that you can stalk close.
I hunt from the ground a fair amount, but I sit in brush blinds, simply because I clump around like a horse. I have been reading and trying to copy stalking techniques from both hunting and military writers since the 1960's, but it is just not something I am good at.
If you are getting this close this often, your next level of proficiency will be "expert". Keep it up!
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I am in my "single shot" arrow practice days now. I shoot one arrow at a time spaced out at a 3-D target, trying to mimic that single hunting shot. I have never hunted from trees so the biggest problem on the ground for me is movement and draw. I have countered some of this by practicing holding full draw for as long as possible. I also practice snap shooting. Both have been effective depending on the situation. I have stalked up on deer from the time I was a young boy. Walking "with the wind" and keeping the wind hitting your face are two of the most important. I was scouting this past week and it was not windy so much harder to move quietly. A deer snorted at me, I grunted at her she moved towards me. Would have been an easy kill during the season. Squirrels are useful as well for me. If I am moving and they still are moving as well then I know that I have not triggered the "alarm" in the woods yet. I am always using wind, sound, scanning technique, and other critters moving to my advantage. The other thing about ground hunting/scouting is all the neat things you end up seeing. Last year I watched a pair of gray foxes chasing each other around a spring area. Could not remember the regulations on them, but I assumed they were in season, but I just watched them. Cool little critters.
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Getting that first pickle out of the jar can be a challenge. Stay with it if you keep getting close then it is just a matter of time and opportunity.
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For whitetails, I am certainly not much of a ground hunter. Mostly because I prefer to be in a tree stand but I did learn a few things last season while doing more ground hunting that really made all the difference in the world. For one, as opposed to using 3 legged stool, I would rather have a seat that you strap on to the tree. I put mine up high enough so that I am kind of half sitting, half standing. Picture the front swivel seat in a bass boat. The reason is this gives me a little better visibility, and it also allows me to shoot standing up which I prefer. Also it helps if I need to shift position a little. I wear a ghillie suit too and I am convinced that deer do not notice your profile as much if you are in a ghillie suit and are standing up with legs together with your back up to a tree. They often do notice me if I am sitting on a stool looking like a blob.
Also, I found that dark face paint helps a lot. I buy the cheap stuff that little kids use for Halloween. I COMPLETELY cover my face with it, leaving no white exposed skin at all. Including my eyelids ears and lips. I don't like to wear gloves while bowhunting in the early season so I also completely cover my hands with this stuff. When I am done I have zero exposed skin. I wear the excellent ghillie suit that Marc Anthony designed and I DO wear the hood. I think this really helps.
Even doing all of this, I prefer to have a pre-built groundblind made of natural materials but I killed my deer last year without doing so. I just carry some twine in my pocket and some ratchet pruners. Tie the twine around few trees above the waist but below the shoulders. Cut some natural vegetation and hang it on the twine.
Getting drawn is the hardest part, and this again goes back to why I prefer the strap on seat in the half standing half sitting position. When the deer comes, it takes very little movement to be completely standing. This again gives me a narrow profile with the tree behind me for background cover. My Ghillie suit is made of mesh so before the deer gets to me I can stick the bottom bow limb in one of the holes in the mesh on the inside of my left leg. This way I have the bow up and nearly ready. While the deer is walking it is a matter of raising the bow up just a little more while drawing at the same time just before he steps in my lane. This is exactly how my hunt played out last year and I shot him from about 8 yards. He never had a clue I was there.
Again, I have taken few deer from the ground...but that is mostly due to the fact that I rarely hunt from the ground. A lot of the little tips I just shared came from my buddy who has killed the majority of his bucks on the ground with his recurve. These are things he taught me and they do work. On one fine weekend in November he killed 2 P&Y bucks in 3 days using these tactics. Both shots for him were under 10 yards!
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Check out the Rancho Safari (and other) ghillie suits, especially the ones without all the yarn strings. I have so much fun with mine and have had deer and turkey almost step on me. As you said, they CAN get too close.
ChuckC
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Sam nothing impressing about the way I stalk, But I'm working on it. Mostly use blowdowns, brush or hammock seat on tree. My entire setup is based on mobility now, bought a couple of treestands last year and tried sitting, but sold them here in the classifieds after only a couple of sits. Remember when I wouldn't think of hunting any other way, back when I use to kill deer (haha). But a lot has changed since then. I have to admit I really enjoy heading out without the stand strapped across my back and a simple selfbow of my own making in my hand. But miss dragging something back every now and then.
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Thanks for all the comments, love hearing pointers from all of you about hunting, practicing, things you've seen and everything else. I usually wear wool plaids now with a face mask and this whole experience has really made me a believer in them.
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Darin, I have not been real successful on the ground but now I try to set up near large trees or brush that will allow me to make my move when their head goes behind the tree or brush
h. When they step out then I release and the arrow goes over the back by 3 ft.
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Uh shooting high at 10 yds...
May I ask a question?
Are you actually picking a spot? (a very small spot, a tuft of hair, a point in the crease?)
Because I know that I used to shoot high a BUNCH!!! earlier in my trad hunting career... and still do, when I get shocked at getting a calm deer in range and getting drawn on a live deer in bowrange... then I spaz!!!
The adrenaline that comes with the rush of bowhunting is just the fight or flight instinct... The key is embracing it... and learning to stay calm...pick a very small spot... and try toslow down your shot sequence...
I switched from a snap draw shooting style to a 2-3 second hold at full draw... I just focus on the spot until my subconcious says let it go...
I am far from purfect... But have gotten it done plenty of times since I made the switch...
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fmscan I try to but have found that blowdowns work great for that when I have them available. Slasher I say that I am picking a spot just always practice from farther out and have found that closer shots need to be ingrained as well. Too much time spent from around 20 yds, for me got to vary routine and include close shots also.
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(http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj633/darinputman/Mobile%20Uploads/20140907_201921.jpg) (http://s1271.photobucket.com/user/darinputman/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140907_201921.jpg.html) Last year shot hickory, this year will be osage. Also plan to spend more time chasing small game this year. That should help as well.
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I dream of taking a deer on the ground with a selfbow. I do pretty good at the ground stuff it is the bow building I don't do well.
Keep at it and nice setup you got there!
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Thanks Rob, I was lucky enough to meet a friend on here by the name of Eric Krewson. He only lives a few miles from here and taught me how to build a selfbow. He's always ready to help and has done a lot to pass his knowledge of traditional archery on. Really helps to have someone with his knowledge, willing to pass along the craft.
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As said before...
You "can" get away with a draw more often than ya think.
It takes a while to figure it out.,,especially after coming outta the trees. Being up there makes you feel pretty safe to draw.
Took me a few chances with deer up close..and just letting them walk cause I thought I'd spook them when I drew.
Finally got to the point of "next time they're in range I'm drawing..PERIOD"
And wholla...venison.
You get caught now and again..but still..you can get away with more than you'd think...
Good luck!