Ground Hunting Strategies

[yogibarrows]

Question for you ground hunters out there.  How do you normally hunt from the ground?  I mean do you move "still hunt" or stay in one spot in a blind?  Also what types of cover do you hunt, thickets, open hardwoods, CRP?  I'm going to be scouting/hunting a new area which has some very diverse habitat and I was thinking about leaving the stand in the truck so I can cover more ground.

[Rob W.]

My scouting and areas I hunt are the same as my my treestand spots. I hunt mostly hardwoods. Many times I hunt at the base of the same tree I would have put a stand on. I may pull a fallen tree top over to it but thats about it. Knowing when to draw is the hardest part. I'm still learning the ground game but it is a fun process.


Rob

[DeCurry]

I usually hunt in fairly thick areas or along the edges of wide trails or small fields, anywhere multiple trails converge and where I've found recent sign.  If it is in the morning/afternoon with the sun out (not cloudy) and I'm not in a very thick area, I sit tight -- the sun at those times of day casts very long shadows and you're bound to get seen moving around; otherwise, if nothing is going on where I am, I'll quietly pack up and still hunt to another location.

I always carry a pair of hand-held limb shears with me and can build myself a new ground blind in a few minutes if I find another suitable spot (it's best to always have this places pre-scouted).  I still have other old ground blinds scattered all around for different wind directions, morning/afternoon hunts, etc.

Lately, I've been carrying a roll of camo netting (the military style stuff) that's something like 4-feet x 9-feet (rolls up small and easily attaches to my pack via a MOLLE strap and a small bungie cord).  This thing is great for setting up a quick ground blind, using it for either front or back cover.

[Knawbone]

I usually only hunt from a blind {natural} when I think or know the deer are using a particular area and I'm not sure which direction their coming from.Or it best suits the situation.Always keep in mind wind direction.Having deer approach from down wind is never a good situation. This year I found a scrap line just prior to rut. As I walked to the end of this line, two Does took of running. Thinking the Does may have crossed on or near that scrap line,I decided to just stand against a large tree five feet from the scrap line and see if a buck would come along. A half an hour later I shot that buck at seven yards after passing by me at a mere five feet away. The point is that every situation calls for different stratagies. I started out still hunting, but standing in front of that tree became my blind.
Tree stands are great when you know were to hunt and you want to ambush a Deer from a higher vantage point,but if you need  to scout and hunt at the same time, or need to be mobile, then the ground game is the way to start. And hopefully finish.

[Bill Turner]

Here are a few recommendations that have proven helpful to me when ground/still hunting:

Play the wind; Move slowly; Consider the angle of your expected shot and plan or build your natural blind with this thought in mind; Look for natural cover in front, with good cover (large tree trunk)behind; Look for funnels or pinch points with good sign/activity; Carry a packable chair or seat(I like the Waldrop Pack seat when scouting or still hunting); Clean out leaves, rocks, etc that might be under foot once your set-up; Always have a good pair of rachet limb cutters on your belt for quick trimming needs; Consider carrying a light weight piece of camo material(I like the burlap that Walmart offers)for added cover; Carry a GPS to help you mark likely spots for an easy return when hunting unknown country; Pack a lunch or snack/water and be prepared to stay all day after you've found that special spot; Finally, be aware of other animals(deer, hogs) that might be traveling with your intended target. Move at the wrong time and they will "rain on your parade". Good luck and enjoy the ground hunting experience.