Trying to get it done on ground TOUGH!!!!

[darin putman]

So I been trying to take a whitetail from the ground , knew it would be tough, but after spending most of my deer hunting life in the tree's I just never knew how tough!! Getting close hasn't been the problem, I thought that would be it, but it seems if they come within  shooting distance that ain't good enough for em, them jokers just like to keep on coming till they make me nervous. Didn't like em under my stand in the trees and I sure don't like em even within 6-8 yards on the ground.Just can't seem to get the draw on em at that distance, I love to hunt thicket's around edge of hardwoods mainly because that's where I see em at, I've learned a lot from your replies and for that I am grateful.Have been within 10 yards of 3 does and 2 bucks within the last couple of weeks, Heard one down in the bottom  the other day and managed to slip within 20 yds of a nice mature buck in the dry hardwood leaves, he went about his business not even knowing I was there , just no open shot. I never thought it possible but through the reading of these threads. Not spot and stalk but hear and stalk about as close as you can get around here. Guess just trying to say thanks for helping a fellow to learn new things and plan on keeping at it as long as I can and hopefully it'll come together soon. One more thing thanks for all the tips about wool. My wife thinks I really look crazy in some of the outfits but the deer they don't seem to even see me at all!!!

[BOWMARKS]

Sure is a major rush on the ground huh.      

[Rob W.]

Tough but a lot of fun! I love ground hunting.

Sounds like your in the right spots. Good luck.


Rob

[moleman]

Best thing i ever done was come down out of the tress. It has simplified my hunts and made my hunts more enjoyable due to less gear to carry in and out, and is a huge RUSH!.
Stick with it, youlle get it done!
Good luck!
Paul

[Overspined]

It definitely takes practice, but I get them too close too often on the ground. I generally stick to trees once the leaves fall. It is almost magical on the ground and close to a deer unaware of my presence. I suggest building up something to hide you in your favorite spots, here in MI they really are good and wired to find hunters.  If I just sat in front of a tree, I would be seen every time.

[AWPForester]

It is great.  And that wool sure does hide you.  At least until you move to draw. 8>)  God Bless

[Terry Lightle]

Sure is fun though

[ALwoodsman]

I know what you mean.  I did some ground hunting early on in bow season.  It is tough.  I got in close enough for a shot many times I just got busted every time I tried to take a shot. Now that the guns are going off it will be even tougher. Looks like you ain't hunting too far from me Darin.

[toddster]

I know the feeling took few season's on the ground to come together.  I love ground hunting and the simlicited.  But hard to beat the view from a treestand and the sloppiness that once got away with doesn't work on the ground.  Like stalking another tool in the box, but feel it also makes you a better hunter all around.

[Pointer]

Haven't been in a treestand in years..for sure its tougher on the ground...and for the exact reason you stated..just so hard to draw on a buck when you are 20 feet from him at eye level...but man its fun to try!

[njloco]

Sounds like your on your way, have fun and stay safe.

[HARL]

Still do it once and a while. Have had deer within 10 ft. a couple of times and it sure is a rush !!!

[Elkchaser]

Sounds like you're having a great time. Stick with it, you'll get 'er done!    

[HawkeyeArcher]

Hunting from the ground is a whole other ballgame! Sure gets your heart racing! Sounds like you're gettin somw close encounters though!

[darin putman]

Thanks for all the words of encouragement, I mainly hunt public land thats bow only so pressure ain't quite as bad, but hunting around the house with my son a lot lately, he's trying to get one with shotgun.I'm having to wear orange cap sure does help build confidence about what deer can't see or pay attention too. Neighbors son deer hunts back there and is taking an interest in bow's now after seeing someone that doesn't use guns much at all but will hunt along with them anyway.Alabama woodsman I generally hunt Shoals Creek preserve, a track of forever wild land in St. Florian untill December 26, then I hit seven mile Island management area in Florence, also bow only for deer but most Saturdays this year I'll be somewhere my son can hunt as he's not able to shoot a bow of legal weight just yet but close!!Just like yall said it is a rush very exciting can't really understand why I get nervous when I'm the one with a bow not them........

[nineworlds9]

I've been hunting on the ground 3/4 hunts so far this season, havn't gotten to a good shot yet, but best so far was within 30 or so yards of 3 does and called in a buck within 20ish but couldn't see him well enough through the brush.  Havn't taken one yet but man what a rush.  I remember creeping up to those does, that adrenaline high lasted well into the evening!  I've hunted from the stand once so far and I felt too disconnected from the forest way up there.  Down on the ground I feel like more of a predator.

[Stumpkiller]

It certainly is tough.  This was my first still-hunted deer and remains my best hunt/shot ever; though it was only 14 paces.  That's why it is my Avatar.  I spent five years trying and had two-dozen non-shots from being outsmarted or, twice, m-m-m-m-missing.  

   

Not the biggest buck - but I can describe every detail of the site, approach, shot, strike and aftermath.  It's burned in my brain.

[Cato]

" Heard one down in the bottom the other day and managed to slip within 20 yds of a nice mature buck in the dry hardwood leaves"

How did you manage to close the distance in the dry leaves?  I am in my first year of hunting some on the ground after many years in the trees.  It has been slow, but definitely fun.  I too have struggled with drawing on a close deer.  I have not tried moving on them.  Our deer are very, very wired.  How did you do it?

[Covey]

Been trying to get of done for the last couple years. Had them so close I could almost smack'em on the rump. It is definitely easier to get drawn in the trees, but man what a rush when your eye to eye with'em. I'll get'er done one of these years, but for now... just have'n fun try'n!

Jason

[darin putman]

Nice deer stumpkiller, and a well earned congratulations!!!Cato I had been doing a little still hunting behind my house and decided before calling it quits to slip around and see if I could get a shot on one of those big squirrel's I'd been seeing while deer hunting. Wind was blowing steady this day around 11:00 Am and I was hearing the unmistakable sound of a tree being shook down in the hollow, the leaves were very dry and crunchy but I just follow the advice of some folks on this site and been practicing it if I move slow and easy the squirrels don't even pay attention to the noise of the leaves as on a normal day they hear it all day long, just look a lot and walk  a little and slow no flailing arms, bows or anything. Short strides try to look like a tree and use any cover available, their advice I just followed and most important detail on this day was the wind. I think between his rubbing , shaking tree and the wind blowing my sound away from him I was just lucky in my choice to pursue what I heard. And due to what he was preoccupied with I was able to spot him before without him knowing, and as he was easing off and me with no shot I felt a great deal of satisfaction even without the shot in knowing I hadn't alerted him!!  That same evening I had a smaller buck at about 15 feet he came in feeding, I heard him coming or never would have seen him but he was almost dead downwind from me, I dropped down on a little stump with my back to him expecting him to blow out of there stood there behind me stomped a couple of times I could here then when he started walking I eased my head around and he just eased on off giving no indication that he ever new I was there. I am actually turning into a crunchy leave fan as have been alerted as to the whereabouts of a lot of careless deer by them over the years and I love privet hedge as well deer seem to feel free to move in the thick of it!! Hopefully one day will come together completely but the next seven days back at the grindstone.