Ground Pounders

[vtmtnman]

95% of my hunting is from one of two treesands I have setup on my place.The other time I will sit in a ground blind my dad has setup.I've been FEET away from deer in that blind.So cool to be that close to deer and they have no clue you're there.

[Rick P]

Wtpops

Thanks

[Covey]

I've hunted from the ground the last 2 years and it's difintely more difficult. Getting them close is not a problem, getting drawn is! I've been busted several times by old does and had young ones almost step on me, but it's alot simpler to go in find a good tree, unfold yer chair and set down! Sad part is look's like tag soup again this year!  :(  Jason

[Rick P]

Jason

Do you use a limb sock or a flat finished bow?

Best way to get busted on the ground is move your bow parallel to the animal. Most herbivores see movement in a parallel plain to them very well but don't pick up on movement at a right angle to them well at all. In other words if your bow is in basically the same up and down orientation as it will be in your shot it is less noticeable when you draw by moving the bow towards the game than it is if you have to raise it to vertical then shoot. Keep your bow oriented up and down, don't make sweeping moves with it. Second fastest way to get busted is brad new shinny bow! We love the way that finish shines, deer do not. Non reflective finishes or limb socks work much better. Look for either a mute natural tone or a pattern that dose a good job of braking up the bows outline.

[String Cutter]

Ground

[buckeye_hunter]

Hate heights! Ground only here!

[Renaissance Man]

A few weeks back went to join my close friend for the rifle season in Montrose PA. Only had one deay to hunt so I committed to hunt all day come h@ll or high water.
Now for the fellows that don't know me I hunt probably %50 on the ground and the other 50 in stands, ladder climber and usually portables we put up.
I enjoy, and have had the best success from the ground actually but it is definetly trickier.
Now the point I wanted to make is this, this rifle opening day in PA it was blowing a combo of snow/rain often sideways and the stand I went into was a portable that was a tricky 18 foot climb.
In years past I would not have thought about it much but this year I got up in the early morning dark and climbed up, cold hands and heavier winter boots and it was tricky.
Well after spending 11 hours or so in a torture test and seeing nothing but a bunch of does and a spike buck I climbed down in the dark with colder hands and feet.
I realized that if I had fallen at 0445 hrs on the way up and could not take care of myself I would have been lying or hanging there all day and probably die. My friends knew where I was but would have no reason to come look for me until well after dark cause we always sit the stands all day.
I had a moment of clarity, I think that is what they call it. Why would I put myself in that type of position again to hunt deer. Yes the elevated hunting is better for scent and for seeing deer as they came in and shooting over brush etc. But it was dangerous and taking a risk that I could not justify.
God has blessed me with 55 years of good fortune in the field, taken care of me. But I don't believe he rewards foolish.
So effective this year I have made the commitment to hunt %100 percent from the ground with my bows and flintlocks.
Think about it, due whats best for you as it is a personal decision and be careful

[Covey]

Rick P, I actually have camo limbs and I alway's try to keep my bow as if I'm gonna draw. The first time I got busted this year was by an old mature doe and I bet I did'nt pick my bow up an inch off the ground, jerked her head up and looked right at me! I thought "dang man" it's incredible how good they can see, but us fella's gotta realize  we are in thier living room. I still prefer the ground over the tree's any day!! Jason

[String Cutter]

I'm to lazy and fat to carry around a 35# treestand all day.
 I dont get time to hardly hunt at all and no time for scouting.. So I just walk til I find a good spot and set up. If the wind changes or I see a trail near that deer are using right then?? It won't take 30 sec. for me to pack up my torge seat and pack to move..
 To me the real problem is the wind. Here in Va. It seems to change every 5 minutes. Never really have a problem with movement. Years of turkey hunting has taught me when and where and how to move. And to TAKE MY TIME!! Ain't nothing out there a race..

[Bowferd]

I've never hunted from a tree stand. Was out walking for 45-60 minutes today, but with temps hovering close to zero all the bunnys were hold up and the skirls were skittish. Not a shot but good excercise tromping thru some of this heavy snow.

[bartcanoe]

Always on the ground.  I like the way it causes me to be more aware of my surroundings and heightens my enjoyment of my time in the woods.

[4dogs]

Never in a tree...dont kow very many out here that do hunt out of trees

[Arkansaslongbow]

100% on the ground; ghille suit and I own 2 ground blinds; no need at all for the fancy camo clothing; wear black inside blinds and whatever I want to wear with ghille suit; fill tags every year...  

[Chuck Hoopes]

I still hunt, and take a deer every yr. this way for the past 12yrs.  I also take deer from a short ladder stand- that puts my feet about 7ft. off the ground---This is plenty high enough, if it is placed so that surrounding cover is as high as the deers head.  This way it screens his view, and this slightly elevated stand gives me the advantage of being able to see over cover to spot deer.  I see no reason to get higher than this, unless it is late in the season, and cover is gone. As a bonus,. Shot angles are not so severe at this lower height, and if you should take a fall, chances are the damage will be mimimal.

[Ghost Dancer]

I have been in the trees, but this year is the first year I have been tied in the whole time from the time I leave the ground to the time I come back down.

That said, I can see myself hunting form the ground more and more especially as I get older.  I have had 2 shots at deer from the ground thus far, and I am 50% successful.