ground hunting snafus

[beyondmyken]

Well, I set up facing the west and about mid morning I peered over my shoulder, to the east, looking into the sun, and downwind.  I say to myself, "That's funny, I don't remember that stump there."  About that time, the stump stands up, wheezes at me, and off go 3 does.   Disgusted with myself, I wait about a half hour and decide to move about 40 yards to the north near a different trail.  As soon as I stand up, 4 does start wheezing and give me the whitetail salute.  I think I will use my treestand this evening.  

[dragonheart]

Yes, they are sneaky critters and notice movement.  Ground hunting is mighty challenging!

[Bill Turner]

Everytime you make a mistake your one step closer to success. Keep at it. No one said it would be easy.

[Wile E. Coyote]

I don't see a reason to climb a tree, seems you are seeing plenty from the ground, just gotta tune those senses and pick them up first. Becoming an Apex Predator ain't always easy but it is always challenging if you do it right.

[ThePushArchery]

My personal Rule number 1 for ground hunting:

If you hear something in a direction that you know you do not have a shooting lane, or cannot get a shot... don't look. No need to... All you are going to do is blow a potential opportunity by being able to see your target 5 minutes before it enters into your shooting lane. With our weapons of choice we are blessed with being able to acquire our targets and draw much faster than other weapons of choice.

Just food for thought. It sure is fun on the ground though ain't it!!!!!

[Bjorn]

If you hear them but don't see them, you are moving too fast (and/or making too much noise) if they saw you before you saw them you are not stopping to look and listen or looking with your binocs for fur.
You were in the right area and you  got close, try to stop more, listen, and examine the area with binocs. At least this works for me.

[centaur]

If it was easy, everybody would be doing it. That's what makes it more fun, although frustrating. When it all comes together, you know why you did it.

[beetlebailey1977]

Originally posted by Wile E. Coyote:
I don't see a reason to climb a tree, seems you are seeing plenty from the ground, just gotta tune those senses and pick them up first. Becoming an Apex Predator ain't always easy but it is always challenging if you do it right.

I agree with this...I too have just started hunting from the ground with my bow and I intend to stick with it.

[Bowmania]

The real problem with ground hunting is not seeing the deer that are 50 to 100 yds away.  If your in a tree you see them and can move the stand there for your next sit.  From the ground you don't know the spot exists.  Sign might say sit where you are.  But sometimes animals use the less traveled path.

Bowmania

[Redonefive]

i have a 50$ leafy suit from walmart.  the 3 times i've got to hunt this year i've seen deer and or turkeys while hunting from the ground..

 the first night i got within 10 yards of a doe while just stalking slowly got into position and waiting for 45 minutes for her to just cross through a fence line she wouldn't so no shot but i dropped arrow off the rest and she never even saw me..  

second time i had 20 turkeys walkin right by me with no problem

third time i sat on my little stool till my butt was numb and my wet pants were killin me and got up to walk around.  hiked up through the woods to a clearing and turned the corner to find 2 does feeding  there, they never saw me and i was about 15 yards out from the closer one. i rushed the shot and missed, but it was still a good day.

i think i enjoy hunting from the ground more than a tree. the ability to be mobile, stretchin your legs just covering ground is nice, and if your a woodsman you know how to move slowly and listen..

i dont know what my story really  had to do with this but i like hunting off the ground lol

[DV of WI]

I have had my chances this week from the ground. Hunting with a s-bow I made and thought might as well go all the way. Tuesday 15 yard shots at two does Shot low on both. (didn't really focus on a spot)hey must have thought poor guy having trouble at that distance lets give him a chance tomorrow. Same area different spot. The doe that got the short straw I geuss, comes by at 12 feet, oblivious brodside slight away angle. Just perfect. Not a clue I was there. She was close enough to see the muscles ripple when she walked by. I shoot low, 2 inches and it was heart. This gound hunting makes me    pants when they are close. And I can't find my darn arrows after they go under the grass I am hunting in.