Tree seats.

[Broadside]

So who's taken deer from them, or simply from the ground even.  I've got a roughed out Torges seat I would like to try if it's remotely possible to be successful from ground level.

The thing is, I've been busted the past three days I've been out (all ground hunting).  Today for instance, a doe came up the hill where I was sitting on a downed log and it was like I was wearing a neon sign.  I never moved I swear, but she stomped and stared at me like she just knew that a leafy blob didn't belong there.  I had the wind full in my face as well.

So what do you think?  Tree seat, or should I go higher?

[GingivitisKahn]

I took a deer last year from the ground. My son took one from the ground the year before that and I took another the year before that.  Lots of people hunt from the ground.

[jamesh76]

It can be very successful. I have one of the summit seats that attaches to a tree. I love it. It is very comfortable.

Slow movement, scent control and seat placement is key.

I had a friend that was hunting elk in Montana. He has a spike come right up to him. So close that as he slowly leaned back and his head his head hit the tree he was sitting against. The elk took its nose and lifted his up on his head. That was him......There is no way I could of sat there like that. But to each his own.

James

Don't stare at the deer!! I also try to keep something against my back, like a big tree.  If I am on a stool I try to set up between cedar trees or thick brush.  I have shot a number of deer sitting and cross row still hunting in corn fields.

[sendero25]

Broadside, I hunt 99% of the time from the ground, and my seat of choice is the tree seat from Millennium tree stands.  It is a sling style seat and very comfortable!
I killed a doe last season on the last day from a natural ground blind and the Millennium seat.
It is quiet and easy to set up.
I had it set kind of high on the tree so I was able to just bend my knees a little and I was standing to make the shot.  I was in a low spot on the edge of a willow pond, so even by slowly standing, I was still a little below the doe.
I love ground hunting.  I hunted flat on my butt last saturday evening with a 64" longbow.
The beauty of trad shooting, I could shoot with the bow almost horizontal if needed!
I build an "Apache blind"..kind of an A-frame of brush BEHIND me and just enough in front to block my movement and still allow me to shoot.
Just try to break up your outline from behind and watch sunlight and shadows and use them to your advantage.
Keep the sun in the deer's eyes (wind permitting), and stay in the shadows if possible (wind permitting)!

[SEMO_HUNTER]

I've killed quite a few deer from the ground, but I've also killed many from tree stands. It's alot like turkey hunting from the ground. You have to be mindful of your outline and sillouette. You have to have some cover around you and at the very least a big tree at least as wide as your shoulders to mask your human form.
When I make ground sets I use a Gorilla tree seat and it's the most comfortable that I have ever found. I can sit for hours without my rump hurting and I like the flip up feature of the seat so when I stand up I just simply flip the seat up and back right up next to the tree with minimal movement. You also need to be extremely scent concious on the ground.

Try cutting some brush like cedar limbs and jab them in the ground around your seat to hid your outline, that works well for me.
Last year I had 2 bucks almost climb in my lap at 5 steps when they topped over the ridge above me. I hadn't expected them to top over the hill in that particular spot because I was a good 30 yards off the trail next to a fence row. I guess those 2 bucks didn't read the script? Just goes to show you that you never know what can happen.
I could have shot either of them, but elected to pass on them and give them another year to grow up. The first buck crossed within spitting distance of me and eventually got down wind of me, but never did spook real bad...he just kind of walked stiff legged away from me on down the hill. The 2nd buck (a nice 8pt.) never did make me out and followed right behind the first buck. It was really exciting being that close to 2 decent bucks on ground level.

[Broadside]

Wow!  Ask and ye shall recieve!  Thank you everyone.  I think I must've made every mistake save for the scent conrol and minding wind direction.

So...  staring at the doe probably wasn't in my best interest huh?  LOL  I couldn't help it.  At that point it was all I could do to keep my heart from beating out of my chest.

I'm definitely going to try a blind set up with some natural vegetation, and make sure the tree I'm leaning against is wide enough, and to stay in shadow.  Never thought to keep the sun in the deer's eyes.

This place is such a wonderful resource.  Thanks all.

[Van/TX]

I've not killed one yet with Dean's seat but I've used it and it works pretty good.  I've made several.  I've killed more stuff from the ground....Van

 

[getstonedprimitivebowhunt]

Have not found the perfect seat yet !

[Van/TX]

For those interested in a Dean Torges tree seat here's the link.  Remember these are for ground level only.  They are simple to make...Van

 Deans Tree Seat