Ground Hunting, NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART!!

[Sean B]

Well, I headed out this morning to my favorite spot, when I started to set up my climber. I realized that I didn't have my bow rope! there was no way that I was going to leave.  I had given some thought about sitting that spot on the ground, because the red oak that I hunt out of has a large boulder next to it, and a dead tree trunk on the ground in between.

Well, I sat with my back against the oak, and the boulder as a kind of blind.  I kicked out the leaves and sticks from under feet to quiet things down abit. Well at about 7 am, just as it was getting light out, I can see a buck out about 35 yards and heading straight for me.

Now he ended up out of my view on the other side of the boulder, so I'm expecting him to pop out at about 15 yrds on my left, so I positioned my self accordingly. Well....I guess he didn't read the play book. he walks right to the boulder, and breaks to my right.  I'm looking right at him.  Theres no way that I can move with out him seeing me.  He's now at about 10 feet!he could sense that there was something not quite right, he takes another 2 steps, now hes broad side at about 7 or 8 feet!!   I can see the pores on is nose as he lifts his head checking the air.  He either finally scented me, saw me, or heard my heart pounding, but he took off like a shot!  He was a real good 8, about an inch or so out side his ears and high.

I also saw a 4 a spike and a doe, but neither offered a shot.  I've seen a lot of bucks so far.

[sou-pawbowhunter]

Be careful.  You might just get hooked on that kind of adrenaline rush.

[Mudd]

For me ground hunting works kind of like my fishing goes...lol

As sure as I get distracted by something or I'm trying to adjust something and my focus isn't where it should be..... that's when stuff happens.

Yesterday morning I had a few small sprouts that kept interfering with the picking up of my bow so I got out the nippers and cut them off. I was leaning over to do this and when I straightened up I can't say who jumped the most...lol me or the does that was literally just steps away from the front of my folding ground blind.

She ran back to the top of the ridge about 30 yds away and turned around as if to say.."Did I really see something move?"..lol She was kind of a case of nerves but wasn't bounding off. In fact she started back toward me but was stopped by another deer coming onto the ridge to my west. It was a buck coming our direction. She decided the best thing to do was go back the way she came in. Mean while the buck is headed toward me and this time I am ready.. Dang our 4 pt rule..lol He's not a legal deer.

I know I don't need a heart check as I had just had one!

God bless,Mudd

[woodchucker]

Now THAT's what makes "ground pounding" so addicting!!!!!

I don't like hunting out of trees,anything higher than a Bar Stool I get a nosebleed.....

(But that's a whole nother story)

Anyone who says that they can't get close to deer without being in a tree,just hasen't been on the ground ENOUGH!!! Sure,you'll get fewer shot opportunitys,but there's something about being "eyeball to eyeball" with a big buck at "spitting distance" thatREALLY gets the blood pumping!!!!!

WAY TO GO Sean!!!!! Sounds like a GREAT hunt!!!!!

(Good Luck Sean,Keep after them!!! Waiting for pictures!!!!!)  

[Zradix]

I love it on the ground in the woods....  

But really..it's much more intimate..   :rolleyes:

I mean fun...darnit..you know what I mean..lol

[Overspined]

I have shot a Fair # from the ground, and love to stalk in heavy wind in the corn and fields. I have a rough time though in high deer concentration areas because they end up too close or down wind. So I end up in trees much of the time

[Sean B]

I guess my biggest problem was the way I was set up. I was too close to that boulder, making it difficult to move when I had to.  I did take my GN quiver off to make it easier to maneuver my bow.  I just keep thinking about that buck.....what if.....???

Hey chuck, when I take a camera with me, and I learn how to post them, I'll put some pictures up.

[rraming]

Never get that feeling sitting in a tree. Something you will always remember - Congrats

[joe ashton]

great story.  I had an elk that close this Sept. He came crashing out of the woods and stopped 10 up hill from me.  I was looking up his nose... Very exciting.....

[DannyBows]

Sounds like a great time in the woods!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Thats awesome sean. I saw a spike and 2 does today. None were close enough and the wind shifetd which killed me.

[monkeyball]

If you can make it work for you on the ground your tree stands will become cellar queens.

                   Good Hunting,
                           Craig

[Hooper]

My bet is he heard your heart pounding, man that was close! Great story!

[Chief55]

Awesome, This is one hunt you will always remember.

I have done almost all of my hunting from the ground. Had a climber go out from under me in the 80's that scared me out of my mind. I don't get near as many deer but have so many more intense and exciting hunts. I have had many strange close encounters that are extremely hard for me to talk about cause I think people would just not believe me.

Very happy for you to have this close up experience. Hope you have many more.

[Tom-Wisconsin]

For me climbing up a tree is like going backwards in evolution. We came out of trees and walked on our hind legs:). Stalking a deer on the ground is one on my bucket list.

[kung fu kid]

That's real exciting, Sean.  I was fortunate to have a similiar incident a few years ago.  It was getting dark and I decided to give it one more go at a deer before we leave early next morning.  I picked out a comfortable spot against a tree, had a arrow knocked and ready to go.  I was just standing there against the tree in the open next to a small creek, but dressed in military cammies.  It took only a few minutes when I heard sustling from stright in front of me.  Then a dow and a little fawn come out to have a drink.  I didn't move a muscle, even kept my head lowered so they wouldn't see my eyes.  I could barely see them under the rim of soft hat.  I got so mezmerized I didn't even take a shot.  Just watched and enjoyed nature's beauty.  It was worth it to go home empty on that trip.


“All great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom; justice; honor; duty; mercy; hope.”        
Winston S Churchill

[Mojostick]

I hit the ground exclusively 3 years ago. I'll never climb a tree or ladder again.

The first year, failure after failure. Not enough cover around, especially background cover.

The 2nd year, killed a buck and a doe.

So far this year, one buck killed, headed out tomorrow and saturday.

[Bonebuster]

Great story!!!  

[cacciatore]

This is a great experience,we are becoming too used to the tree stands,sometimes we need to savor that thrill.

[Kingstaken]

That's why I'll be in my pop-up this weekend...  :D