Tell me about your ground hunting

[Bama Recurve]

[/IMG]

I had luck this year hunting next to a downed oak tree.  Just snuggle up to the root ball

[Bama Recurve]

http://tinypic.com?ref=15z1qop" target="_blank">http://i58.tinypic.com/15z1qop.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic">

[Bama Recurve]

Originally posted by bamboo:
IMO  the best spots to ground hunt --
1- must have sign

2- favorable wind conditions -best if there is some structure [pond/rockwalls..ect]that steers the deer Upwind of your ambush position

3- needs very little or NO modifications

avoid setting up tight to the bottom of steep banks of any size-it usually will have very deceiving swirling winds
also don't bury yourself so deep in the brush that you can't shoot!-trust your camo--and trust your background---oh sit still and quit fidgeting!!!

I am a half-time still hunter in late morning depending on cover and wind.  I'll sit in Bamboo's scenerio, especially paying attention to the air movement (convections) at or near the base of higher ridges. Have not been in a tree for ages.  Can't stand sitting in a pop-up!

My friend Mudd has a few creative methods of ground concealment.  I will visit him in the Spring and check 'em out.  

[Jcupice]

I have hunted from both store bought and natural blinds. I've noticed that I get MUCH closer encounters from natural blinds. It just might be coincidence but I've have way more deer walk within 5 yards of my natural blind than my store bought. September 2013 I had a young button buck literally pulling leaves off of my blind with me in it. His face was less than 2 feet from me. Actually I don't think I've had a deer closer that 15 yards in my store bought.

[Michael Salter]

I have hunted from the ground almost exclusively in my hunting, although I only added a bow in 2014. In previous years I have used a firearm, although my primary has been a flintlock muzzleloader for the last 15 years.

I built a ground blind on my land (only 11 acres but surrounded by 100 acres of woods with only 2 or 3 hunters on it) in a place where the previous owner had created a brush & limb pile as a "fort" for his kids. I have been very successful using it and have only added a bit more brush each year to account for loss of height due to weighty snow cover each winter. Have taken many deer from this spot and in different years have had two walk by well before dawn that I could have easily touched. I added a new natural material ground blind last summer that sits under the limbs of a white pine tree (long needles). That was very productive this season in seeing deer but none were close enough for a good bow shot.

I have a bit of a problem with heights so have never hunted from a tree stand. But I will be building a small platform stand on my land this summer. About 12 feet off the ground and hidden by an old unproductive apple tree. There are several scrapes nearby every year, 4 or 5 deer trails within 30 feet, and I saw some rubs last season, so I think this will be another potentially productive area.

I do utilize existing ground cover as much as possible (like goldenrod on deer trail edges) and have a ghillie suit that I use in bowhunting. I've had some success in the past with still hunting and stalking but I am not an expert by any means. And now the bow adds a whole new dimension. Over this winter I have been reading everything I could get my hands on regarding still hunting and stalking with a bow (Asbell, Bear, etc) and plan to practice as much as possible this spring and summer.

[S.C. Hunter]

Really like ground hunting. Hunting turkeys several years ago in a swamp back home. Sitting at the base of a cedar. Heard something approaching from behind. Moments later had three large does not more than 15 ft. they froze I think they got wind of me but never saw me. The larger doe stomped and snorted they took off and came back full circle. They then slowly walked off down through the swamp. It was a awesome encounter. Can't move, you just have to wait for your shot.

[Cavscout9753]

Upfront I apologise as I haven't read all 4 pages of responses so much of what I'll say is probably just repeating. This season I went ground only. I've done it in the past, but off and on. Bear in mind I hunt Ft Benning Georgia, so our deer and other game are plenty, but skittish all year round. We also have to see which areas are open each day as the open areas rotate depending on training and such. Picking a good spot for me was much like picking a tree stand spot with some exceptions. For starters theres more options as I didnt need to find a tree that suited my needs. I often used a home made light weight ghillie top I made out of a camo jacket, the screen kind thats just meant to keep bugs off you. I cut strips of nylon camo netting and tied them on with burlap twine. With the hood up my outline was very non-human. Next, I found a three legged stool to be lightweight and easy to use in a number of situations. It made it easier to stand for a shot slowly but sitting on the ground wasnt a problem (im young enough where my bones dont fight back yet). My #1 dont go-without-tool was a pair of prunning shears. After selecting a spot to sit in front of (dead fall, log, dense brush, etc) i pruned any limbs that were in the way and also built a cocoon to my back, left and right, leaving the front open. Camo face paint and either playing the wind or scent killer and I had deer and pigs very close (5-10 yards). At times almost too close to move, you have to stay vigilant and dont let them creep right up on you before youre ready. All failures were mine. Bad shots, waiting too long, etc. and not neccessarly because I was on the ground. Play around with it and you may be surprised what you can get away with.