ground set up? going in site un-seen?

[Brianlocal3]

By the title I mean this:

I have scouted possible locations, and have plenty to choose from on the public lands I hunt, but the law states no cutting of vegetaton and since Im a rule follower, I will not build blinds on the managed lands.

I do not get to hunt too much, (one evening or morning hunt a week or everyother week) due to family obligations. So how do you guys go about going in on a dark morning and setting up to ensure your highest probability of success?

Evening hunts arent bad as I can see what im doing but im finding it tricky for that morning golden hour.

I do alot of hunting from my climber but to be brutily honest im tired of lugging it around at o'dark thirty with my pack and gear for 900 yds or so. I want to utilize my groud chair more, even though I absolutly love the view of the woods from up high.

Any pics of your NON built up ground sets?

[ron w]

Look for natural cover......such as a blown down tree, Maybe 2 or 3 cedars that are close together, ledges that over look a run way. Think like a predator........have fun!!

[Stumpkiller]

I used to still-hunt on land owned by a furniture company.  I went in an hour before light with no flashlight and either found a blow down or used a Torges tree-seat (ground level) and sat patiently until 9:30 or 10:00AM.  Then I'd start a slow, slow walk and sit the last two hours before sunset.  

If you sit still and keep cover behind you mosr camos will blend you in.  I like the larger patterns vs. little detail that just looks like a man from a distance off.

I didn't need to light my path because I'd scouted the spots many times while stumping pre-season.  I carry flashlights but keep them for blood-trailing or problems.  

Now I have my own property it's pretty much the same but I have two stands I use.  

There's no "set up" to speak of when still huting.  Just move slow and keep your eyes peeled for bits of deer.

[DennyK]

Maybe consider a Ghille suite. If you have a good background you will be in pretty good shape as far as being hidden.  Good Luck!

Denny

[Brianlocal3]

i did jus buy an asat leafy suit, Im liking it, and i do feel more concealed.

These things are NOT good for trying to quietly walk thru multi-flora rose infested woods though.  I felt like a coyote in a foot hold trap thismorning lol

[DennyK]

Brian- I can relate, I have a leafy suit as well. What I need to pick up is some of that stretchy paracord and make a belt I can tuck it into so I'm not snagging on everything. I have the poncho style.

Denny

[Jakeemt]

Setting up blinds on the fly is for the birds man! Especially in the dark! Setting up quick and dirty blinds while still hunting is one thing but a serious blind where you can comfortably sit all morning is another. I hunt public land too and MO has similiar rules. Here is how I do it. First find dead falls as these make some of the best blinds, other good blinds are large fallen branches with the leaves still on and 3-4 trees growing with a 4-5 foot space between them. Technically I am not allowed to co strict permanent blinds however, I have found ways around this. First use no nails or cords (example if you drag dead branches to cover up one side of your deadfall blind you have technically cut no vegetation) , second move around only dead branches so you never cut or destroy living vegetation, third consider packing in some camo netting. If you do have some stakes pre cut before you arrive and some cordage for lashing it down. I find that this works best when augmenting natural blinds or if it is built as a stand alone consider dragging brush around it to further disguise it. Remember to rake out a blind well and always try to identify at least two blinds in an area so you can move if the wind changes. I know guys like the tree seat but, my preference is for the little folding tripod.

[Jerry Jeffer]

You stated you have scouted some potential locations, so I'm not sure why you don't have some actual sits picked out. Any way, since you don't want to cut anything, I would use blow downs to sit in.

[Brianlocal3]

Jerry
I had stands picked out for my climber.   I'm looking to go to ground as to save on the pack in time required and pack out time

[tracker12]

Whether is on the ground or in a tree I always have my spot prepped before the day of the hunt unless its an evening hunt and I get there early in the afternoon.  I like to get in and set up quickly and quietly.

[centaur]

I'm in the middle of this picture; just backed up into the willows and took a seat, and I'm wearing an Asbell pullover. A big percentage of my hunting is done like this, and I usually have to do very little 'gardening', and snapping a twig or two isn't cutting. Since most of my hunting is by still hunting, I often stop where natural blinds give me concealment. And of course, the less you move, the less you are visible.
 

[PeteA]

I hunt public land in a bow only suburb about 50 miles outside NYC. The areas open to hunting are between 150-800 acres in size. They seem to be getting very crowded this season. My tactics have had to change this season to hunting multiple DMUs and move around more. So I've been hitting multiple areas with minimal scouting. Most area I'm somewhat familiar with. My tactics have switch to more of a run and gun type method. This weekend I walking into an area at first light. Set up my PAC seat with a large tree to my back, a blow down to my left. I usually put the large tree between me and the direction I believe the deer will be coming from, down wind.
I like the mobile aspect.

[Brianlocal3]

Went out today, deer sign all over, and fresh. But they must have a spy cause they were no where to be found

[TGbow]

Probably 90% of my hunting has been from the ground for the last 40 years. I like treestands ,or the idea of em, but Im more comfortable on the ground. Ground hunting can be very effective, just move to shoot when the deer isnt lookin your way. Be still. Deer in my area look up more than they look ground level, or, at least they look up as much as they do ground level.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Go into the area you want to hunt. set up best you can quickly using natural cover.  If after its light, you still feel you do not have good shooting, still hunt to another location close by. Usually, you will be able to see another spot, consider the actual wind conditions and adjust accordingly.

[Tom]

I have been doing more ground hunting the last two years due to knee issues . I pack in my strap on tree seat along with clothes and ghillie and slowly walk until I find a place i think will be productive. I like the sun behind me and downwind of expected travel routes, get dressed and just sit still. Utilize double or triple trees or get in a thick area and break up just enough little branches to get a clear lane. Good luck and yes, it is a challenge but worth it to have them close enough to count eye brows.

[calgarychef]

I wear my as at leafy suit, have some ASAt material that I but I front of me about 18" high or just enough to cover my bow and shaking hands while I fumble an arrow onto the bow.  sit as still as you can and it works fine.

[Thumper Dunker]

Originally posted by ron w:
Look for natural cover......such as a blown down tree, Maybe 2 or 3 cedars that are close together, ledges that over look a run way. Think like a predator........have fun!!

(Think like a PREDATOR.)