Not Giving Up on Trees but...I'm Going to Go to Ground a Bit

[Clint B.]

I need to start bowhunting some public ground near me and there's no good way to tree stand hunt except with a lightweight climber. I'll either get a climber or hunt from the ground.

[mec lineman]

I've killed a few bucks and one doe from the ground. I try to set up for left to right or right to left travel patterns. Pop up blinds are not for me but they are very affective. Good luck!

[forestdweller]

I'd only hunt from the ground, it's the most traditional way to hunt.

Not to mention I honestly don't trust some of the trees around here.

I had been stump shooting a few months back and had a large pine fall down not too far behind me. I just found another pine that had fallen not too long ago.

I feel as though tree hunting is a very modern way to shoot and more boring less rewarding and goes hand in hand with shooting compounds where spot and stalk is the most primitive way to hunt and is the most rewarding.

Shooting from the ground also requires more skill since anyone can stand in a tree and wait for game to pass by.

It requires much more knowledge of your game, movement, and the environment to take game from ground level, eye to eye with your game.

Six years ago, a pushy guy put tree stands on both sides of my wife's natural blind, they were trying to crowd us, a common tactic around here.  One day when there was no wind, one of those same trees started  making noise at its base and moving.   One more loud crack and the whole tree came down a very tall and straight ash.    Luckily, it did not fall towards my wife.   I always snap a cloth cover butt pad to my belt.   No blow down tree trunk that fits my butt has ever fallen in the right spot.   It is much safer to take naps in the woods on the ground, with a handy chunk of wood that butt bad doubles as a nice pillow.

[Captain*Kirk]

I much prefer the ground over a tree stand any day of the week. Less confining, and you can stay warmer out of the wind and a rocking tree.

[YosemiteSam]

I tried a tree stand once.  A friend of a friend let me sit up in his stand one morning.  I had a deer walk by less than 20 yards off & I never could see him because of all the branches in the way.  I just heard every step.  I found it frustrating that I couldn't just hop down & go stalk in closer.  So I stay on the ground where I have more options.

Besides, it's a two-hour drive and at least a couple miles of hiking to get to my spots.  The last thing I want to do is take more gear.

[Covey]

I've hunted from the ground for several seasons now. Ive experienced numerous close encounters ( some to close ) been busted countless times, but have had a blast! I did try a ladder stand a few times last year, but it just wasn't the same. On one occasion, I had a bobcat at around 12 yards, wish I could have got a picture of that! The swirling winds here in southern IN. tend to get me more than anything, but I'm gonna keep trying. Me and my pacseat will be back at it again chasing turkey in April and deer in October!
Keep it going guys, I love reading about ground hunt'n!

[Michael Arnette]

I shot 2 of my deer this past year from the ground. Fun stuff but I still prefer the view and solis of the treestand for Whitetials

[longbowman]

Like you I have done the majority of my whitetail hunting from trees but killed every other big game animal from the ground???  While I have taken several whitetails from the ground I still like being slightly elevated simply to see over the ground brush.  About 10 years ago my son and I started doing what we call "one stick" treestand hunting.  We carry one tree stick and all of my stands are reachable from the ground.  I can step off any of them without fear dying and I get that up close ground feeling while still being able to see over the ground clutter.  I took my doe at 8 yds. this year and my buck from 10 and killed several under 5 yds.  You'll like being closer to the ground.  For those areas that just don't have the type of trees needed in a good spot we hunt from the ground.

[BUCKY]

Frank i like that idea. How many feet is the stick? Any pics of your setup?

One of my not so secret tricks for public land is when an area fills up with those metaphoric 'no trespassing'  signs or tree stands, the best places to hunt is where no one would want to or cannot put up a tree stand.    The other thing is, always remember that the thermals are wandering tricksters on ravined slopes in the early morning or the evening, even if there is a soft breeze, they do what they want.  I you have a steady direction to the air, a higher more level area more predictable in your immediate area.   In the evening with little or no breeze, scent will almost always seek the lowest levels, but it does not always take a straight path to get there. .

[One eye]

I have switched 100% to ground hunting over the last several years.  I love the freedom and the up close contact with the animals.  It is harder, but that is the allure.  I also enjoy not dragging all of that extra equipment in and out of the woods every hunt.