Success rate from the ground ( A Question for the Ground Hunters)

[Diamond Paul]

I've been trying to set up some spots with two or three trees around me in a sort of triangle, and brushing in around them and using the camo netting to screen in front, just high enough to cover my lower half while sitting on a stool, but low enough to shoot over.  Not had a shot yet, though.

[SuperK]

I let the terrain decide if I hunt from the ground or tree stand.  It is more exciting from the ground, but you will get "busted" more than from a tree stand.

[frank bullitt]

Success only comes with failure!
But when it happens, it's like the first one!

Good population of deer,and access are key.

Taking advantage of every opportunity that is presented, is also key! Meaning, small or large, young or mature. All steps to being successful!

Good shootin to ya!

[Bobaru]

Got in a tree yesterday.  Can see more.  But, after an hour and a half with a steady cold breeze, I was done.

I'm with ChuckC: "Ground hunting has its own issues, but they are by no means less effective if properly planned and executed."

[Jerry Jeffer]

I would consider myself to be very successful from the ground. Especially since I hunt very big woods,(1000s of acres) in an area that averages 1.3 deer/sq mi. , and has a lot of human pressure due to hiking trails and hunters. Some years I have taken 2-3 deer, some years none. I would say I have a good number of shot opportunities each year as well.

[Diamond Paul]

Would you say that it is somewhat harder to get drawn on a deer from the ground than from a tree?  I haven't had a shot opportunity on the ground yet, so haven't had any experience there.  I've been busted many times in trees, though, and it seems like that would be easier to do.  Does the deer's head have to be down, or turned completely away, in order to get drawn, assuming I won't be using an enclosed blind?

[23feetupandhappy]

Originally posted by Diamond Paul:
Would you say that it is somewhat harder to get drawn on a deer from the ground than from a tree?  I haven't had a shot opportunity on the ground yet, so haven't had any experience there.  I've been busted many times in trees, though, and it seems like that would be easier to do.  Does the deer's head have to be down, or turned completely away, in order to get drawn, assuming I won't be using an enclosed blind?

I would say that unless their head is turned away from you or behind something it will be very difficult to get drawn on one.
Now if your bow is up and ready for the shot and all you need to do is draw back then you might get away with more  

[ChuckC]

That's why you plan and plot.  You wouldn't sit 5 feet up in a tree, then jump up and grab your bow when a deer is ten yards away, looking right at you !  Why think you can do that from the ground ?

Either they need to be looking away, focused on something else, or their vision eclipsed by a tree, a bush, tall grass, anything.  Or you need a lot of luck and a young deer.

It isn't a give away, you still have to earn that deer, but what many of us are saying is it is nowhere near impossible to do.  In fact, in the current times of all deer being hunted from above, I think they don't expect danger from the ground any more.
CHuckC

[Diamond Paul]

Ok.  I've had them at spitting distance on the ground, but I don't think I could have drawn on them then if I had a bow in hand.  I read somewhere, maybe it was Asbell who wrote this, that your blind location can be way too close for a shot opportunity.  Any truth to that?  I think he was saying try for something about twenty yards, due to being seen or heard at closer range.

[joe skipp]

1. I'm afraid of heights...2. I took a bad fall in '75 from an Original Baker tree stand. That convinced me to keep my feet firmly planted on Mother Earth.

Success depends on your scouting and spending quality time in the woods at your different "ambush" locations. Using camo to match your terrain and keeping your ambush spot 20-25 yds off any major runs or scrape lines.

Lost count on how many deer have fallen but my freezer has never been empty. I just find it more of a thrill to outsmart a decent buck from the ground. Now that the rut is kicking in real good down here, the ground is where you want to be.

[Knawbone]

I flip flop from stand to ground year to year and/ or hunt to hunt. Depending on weather and hunting conditions relays where and how I hunt. Other conditions such as food sources and rut stage also a determinant.I have managed to harvest two bucks and one doe from the ground in the past 4 or five years. Two of them I stalked and the biggest buck walked past me from 4 ft. away as I stood in front of a large tree. I was standing at the end of his scrape line. Arrowed him at 7 yds. after he got past me. Do everything you can to keep them from smelling you and your success rate will show your efforts!

[ChuckC]

I shot a doe from the ground this fall.  I was in camo (but no enclosed blind, no ghillie), in a marsh, standing up next to a tree.  The set up included waist high grass, an old fallen tree across the front of me, providing a sort of front, and a trail that ran across the front, about 5-6 yards away at its closest.

She came fast, from the right and I let her get too close.  She heard me draw, stopped and raised her ears.  Then took another step or two which put her head behind the grass and her body exposed.  Bad mistake on her part, but planned on my part.  I finished the draw, aimed and hit her where I aimed (even I can hit at 6 yards).

Again, yes, they can be too close, that is part of your learning, but if you have a bush, tall grass, a tree, a small chunk of wood soaked in scent and tossed into the grass on the far side of the trail, SOMETHING to eclipse their view or make them look away, you have a chance.
ChuckC