Why do you ground hunt for Whitetails?

[GreyGoose]

A lot of the reasons above count for me, too, but another one is that I feel better prepared to make a good shot, (though I admit it's harder to be in position for one.) I spend a lot of time practicing my shooting from the ground, and I can vary that easily stump shooting. Setting up a practice tree stand and going up and down a ladder and getting harnessed repeatedly to get comfortable and as proficient shooting as from the ground is a lot of extra time, that I prefer to spend preparing other aspects of my hunt.

[BUCKY]

Mike I'm not giving up my climber yet! There's a lot of spots you can't get a stand in I want to hunt. Some of those spots on the river side that we did the winter drives on is one example.

In one week I touched, with my very own hand, a little 6 pointer and a forky, I cannot do that from a tree stand.  I would not recommend doing that, the one about broke my arm against the tree.

[Bladepeek]

I spent most of my adult life rifle hunting in Germany. I love the way you can see so much from up there. When I lost my hearing I also lost any sense of balance I had.

You won't find me up a tree anymore   :(  

Doesn't seem to change anything except that I can't see over hills anymore. Can't shoot that far with a bow anyway, so I really don't miss the tree stands. And yes, it is fun to have something walk up to you at the same level and the shot angle is better too.

[wapiti792]

I have found that some ambushes are better suited for the ground. Patch of honeysuckle, inside corners, etc. I think there is a place for trees and brush blinds in our strategy when it comes to these critters  

 
*Toad

I have now started using old fake Christmas trees to build a few little blinds for the rut. I have found that rutted up bucks are more killable from a ground set than a long-nosed doe. I wait and use most of my sets in travel corridors in mid November.

[BUCKY]

WOW!    :eek:

[bamboo]

nice buck !!no doubt!!

Bucky  we hunt spots like that one by the river
on the ground at least 3 or 4 times before I'd ever lug a climber in--

  all the time trying to get a feel for movement and hunting pressure ----

-the hardest part of ground hunting for me was getting comfortable with the idea--
  not being able to see as far---but remember the deer can't see you from as far either!
  learning how to choose a setup where terrain or blowdowns or stonewalls steer the deer out of your scent and into range--

  also learn WHEN to move!!--drawing the bow or scooching forward on your seat -turning your head will all get you busted in a tree but is magnified 10x on the ground!!

[Zradix]

tired of dealing with ladders, carrying stands, worrying about theft, worrying about falling.

There are places like open flat woods and low vegetation areas along picked fields that are not conducive for ground hunting. On public land and some private land around here, those places almost resemble a used car lot, but with old tree stands instead of cars.  The lone tree along a field would be better for some, but still is very exposed.  When the low cover is right along a field and where there are no tree stand trees, things are different.  Having fluid stealth when you shoot is a big advantage when hunting on the ground in natural cover, but if the deer start to avoid the high human traffic areas with nice tree stand holding trees, the areas with lots of good ground cover is often the best option.

[Slickhead]

why not
How'd they kill deer before tree stands?
Nothing more comfortable IMO.
Ive used stands, and there is nothing wrong with them, but ground hunting and stick and strings go hand in hand.
plus being eye level is cool.

[Red Beastmaster]

I never want to wake up at the base of a tree and wonder if my life just changed forever.

[David Mitchell]

I have a buddy with whom I hunt who had a friend die in a fall from a tree stand--found dead at the base of the tree.  My buddy quit trees for good right after that. He has the dog-gonedest way to hunt now--just walks slowly and quietly into the woods and stops every little bit and stands and never worries a bit about cover.  He has killed deer at 15 yards  literally standing in the open and he doesn't wear camo either--generally dark green wool stuff.  It has not changed his success at all as far as I can see. I help him drag deer out about as often as before.

I stopped using tree stands 3-4 years ago.  At 71 I am not as agile as I once was and I want my remaining years to be as healthy as possible    I do make a few ground blinds where I hunt from natural material I find in the area and I like my ghillie suit too.  Besides, tree stands can be cold places to sit in winter when the wind is in your face where it should be and blowing up your leg.