Ground Hunting Tips Needed

[Dozer]

I hope you don't mind me asking but I have some questions for experienced ground hunters. I just gave my climber away to the neighbor because I'm uncomfortable in them and I have no way to practice shooting out of them here in suburbia.

I wenting hunting yesterday as a guest with a friend. I had to throw a natural ground blind together quickly but I don't think I built it high enough (to my shoulders sitting down). I did plan on standing up to shoot. How high would you build it? I left the entire back open even though there were trails about 75yrds behind me. Should I have surrounded myself?    

Also, I was uncomfortable as I could get in this fold up tripod chair I bought a few years ago. I couldn't help but fidget around because everything from my waist down was going numb. What do you sit in for long periods of time and are still comfortable?    

I know to mind the wind. In fact I brought cotton balls and tore of small pieces to check the wind.

Thanks Guys,
John

[Teacher_of_the_Arcane]

John,

Sounds like you need a copy of Fred Bear's "Field Notes"!!       The purpose of the ground blind is not so much to hide you as to break up the human shape.  Minimum movement is helpful.  You might look at the ghille build thread that's currently on TradGang. I've always used a small feather as a wind indicator.  The feathers from the breast of a turkey are nice, but anything a couple of inches will do.  I tie a piece of heavy thread three or four inches long to the feather, and then pinched the end of the thread under the bowstring in the upper limb nock.  The slightest breeze will flutter the feather and you'll know where the breeze is coming from.  I'd think a comfortable seat is a matter of personal choice.  I know guys who sit on the ground, and others who won't hunt from anywhere but an over-stuffed arm chair in their 'tree stand'.  Experiment in front of the TV.

Good luck!!

[Wile E. Coyote]

You don't want to have to stand to shoot. Too much movement and you likely will get to see many white flags.

Your set up should have as much if not more cover BEHIND you as in FRONT of you.

Find something comfortable to sit in cuz any figeting on the ground is 10 times more likely to be seen that in a treestand.

[John3]

You must break up your outline BEHIND you. I build a blind higher than my head (when I'm seated) and wider than my shoulders. The goal is to blend into a "jumble" of shape and color. Set up your blind with the wind and so that you let the deer walk PAST you,, then shoot them.

ASAT works well as a camo and of course a Ghillie does as well... This should not be misery. Find a stool/chair that works for you. I've used a Niff-T-seat for years. As I get older after sitting an hour or two I will start to get stiff. I've had to start standing up every hour or so to let the blood flow. Do this slow and quiet, no problems. If you can find a blowdown in the right spot; back up into it do a bit of pruning so you can shoot and your in business. I've had deer at 4' without a clue that I was there...
Sit like a statue and let the deer PASS you, then slow movement to shoot from the seated position.. Absolutely deadly on deer!!!

Ground hunting is alot of fun.

Good hunting,

JDS III

[Dozer]

It was a big mistake not to build anything behind me. I think the biggest mistake was not being comfortable though. I gotta find something that is a pleasure to sit in so it'll be easy to hold still.

[The Vanilla Gorilla]

As Teacher said above, Fred Bears Field Notes is a good read, as is Fred Asbells Stalking and Still Hunting. He's got a lot of interesting tips about ground blinds.

I build my ground blinds high..like almost chest high. When I'm sitting in them, I have to kind of sit up straight to see out of them. I like it to where its only the upper half of my head exposed. And I keep that camo'd pretty well.

 I also like to build them under trees that have some low hanging folage. That way you are in a permanent shadow. Big cedar trees are perfect for this..you can kind of cut out a cubby hole. Make sure you trim up anything that your bow limbs could hang on during draw or release.

Use mostly dead stuff to stack up, that way it doesn't collapse over the course of a few days when it begins to wilt.

Make sure you got plenty of back cover to break up your outline.

When a critter does come along, move only your eyes, and don't look them in the eye! I believe animals can honestly feel your presence when you are under 10 yards and under. Especially the big old does and sows with babies.

If you aren't comfortable shooting in the seated position, build your blind higher so you minimize movement when standing.

And dont be afraid to use face paint along with your hat to help break up the outline of your head and kill the shine off the skin.

Good luck! I bet you won't fool with any elevated stands after your close encounter with a biggun!

[woodchucker]

1) Find a good comfortable spot

2) Have a seat

3) Sit STILL!!!!!

That about covers it.....  

[Recurve50 LBS]

Hello John,

I hunt mostly from the ground because like you I don't feel comfortable in my tree stands any more.

First I find through some scouting travel routes the deer are taking. Then I look for some good natural cover like blow downs that I can sit in amongst the branches to break up my manley figure.

It's ok to do some trimming of branches that my be in the way of you shooting the bow or getting more comfortable. REMBER to scrape the ground clear of any leaves or twigs that may make noise when you move your feet. I always scrape more than enough so I can either kneel or move in one direction or another.

I always carry a ratchet pruner and a small folding saw with me in case I find a new spot to sit that may need some trimming.

I usually sit on a 6 gallon plastic bucket that I have previously camo painted. Or you can try another type of seat that are on the market. I also sit in one blow down on one of its limbs. But what ever you are comfortable sitting on only you can figure that one out. I have several buckets that are pre positioned in some of my hunting spots. So far no one has stollen any and they are mostly on public land. Carrying a bucket with you in the woods can be a bit of a pain but in places where you can bait you can carry some corn in the bucket to spread around your set up.

I mostly use a ghilly suit while hunting. I do not use a face mask because my glasses fog up so I camo my face with burned cork. I cover my hands with those cheap brown cotton gloves you can find in convieniance stores for 2 bucks a pair.

The last 2 things I can tell you is to pay attention to the wind.Try keeping the wind in your face. The idea of using a feather  mentioned above works well. Or you can try using some scentless talcum powder in a small squeeze bottle to test the wind movement.

Lastly ALWAYS move slowly. Look before you move anything. Then double check. Deer have a funny way of sneaking up on you.

Last weekend I brought my son with me hunting. He's 11. I sat him in a blow down about 12 yards away from me. He had a buck and doe 15 feet away from him at last light. Too bad he didn't get his hunting license this year cause he could have made some meat. I had no shot at either of them. Guess where I'm sitting this afternoon. My son can't go because he broke his ankle this week at school.

I hope my pointers can be of some use to you. Good luck and shoot straight.

[Problem Child]

I use a "Torges" seat with a cheap self inflating seat cushion. I'm comfortable and can sit for hours.I've also learned I can sit "side-saddled" on the seat and lean my left shoulder and and left back muscle(I'm right handed) against the tree and be more comfortable than sitting facing straight ahead.That way I'm using the tree for concealment.

[Cory Mattson]

Blind clearance inside should be 7 feet X 7 feet - if you dig half way into the ground that leaves 3 1/2 feet above ground - very deadly - common in Africa where they are really serious about hunting on the ground and taking game. If you are unwilling or not allowed to dig - shooting off your knees can lower the top to 5 feet. In all cases though you cannot be skylined or it is over.
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[Jerry Jeffer]

I use the Torges seat as problem child does. I like to set up so my shot will be after the deer pass me, so I need to sit so I can get the shot with out twisting aroung. Depends if you are lefty or righty. Here is an example of the seat set up.
 
 and here is another type of set up with a blow down.