Does anyone else ground-hunt only?

[WhiteBeard121]

I bought a hanger this year when I went trad but I never even put the thing up. A ground blind doesn't have to be elaborate to work. I've had good success just leaning back (or sitting up against) a large tree. a few deadfall limbs or brush breaks up my outline enough to get it done, if the wind is right. Really would like to try a ghillie suit in 2014

[tracker12]

I started hunting out of a tree back in 1972 when  guy welded me up an all aluminum copy of the old Baker Tree Stand.  I killed a bunch of deer out of it but also fell out of a few trees also over the years.  Over the years I got the idea I had to be in a tee to kill deer.  About 8 years ago I started bunting turkeys out of a blind  with my bow and realized I was getting deer pretty close to my blinds.  This year I have killed 3 deer out of a tee and 3 old of my blind.  I do what the conditions present but am starting to favor the ground for most of the reasons previously mentioned.  I don't like building blinds though.  It gives up to much information to other hunters.  Lots of pressure where I hunt.

[possumridge137]

I used to hunt from tree stand but had several close calls. Found that I was sharing a tree with hornets, climbing stand dropped to bottom of the tree when I was trying to secure it to the tree, (seemed like it took till early summer for my chest and arms to heal from slowing sliding down that tree) and Had three stands stolen from trees on my own private property. Tried the pop-up hub blinds. Young deer didn't seem to mind them but the older seasoned deer almost seem to turn inside out at the sight of it (even Brushed-in) and set up several months before season). In 30 years of hunting I've taken maybe three deer from an elevated stand and two from a hub blind. I taken countless other deer either in the open, from a seat on a stump or from a strap-on swivel tree seat from the ground. I think I'm going to keep my hunting plated firmly on the ground.

[rick7]

last five deer that i killed i was on the ground. i am getting to old to climb trees

[TGbow]

Think I'm going to get me a Spot 360 chair and forget about buying anymore treestands.
Lot more comfortable on the ground.

[WhiteBeard121]

Originally posted by tracker12:
I started hunting out of a tree back in 1972 when  guy welded me up an all aluminum copy of the old Baker Tree Stand.  I killed a bunch of deer out of it but also fell out of a few trees also over the years.  Over the years I got the idea I had to be in a tee to kill deer.  About 8 years ago I started bunting turkeys out of a blind  with my bow and realized I was getting deer pretty close to my blinds.  This year I have killed 3 deer out of a tee and 3 old of my blind.  I do what the conditions present but am starting to favor the ground for most of the reasons previously mentioned.  I don't like building blinds though.  It gives up to much information to other hunters.  Lots of pressure where I hunt.

Another tell that gives too much info to other hunters is a game camera. They see a camera, they figure you put it there for a reason. I had one guy hunt my camera every day for a week.

[RJonesRCRV]

For you ground hunters:

I have heard of using a turkey diaphragm call when walking through the woods to give deer some peace of mind.

But, I was thinking, has anyone used a turkey decoy while deer hunting to kinda attract the deers eyes away from your spot?  Turkey dexoys are easily carried in a pack, so it wouldnt be much trouble.

[YosemiteSam]

Originally posted by Thumper Dunker:
with our black tails they can be here one day and ten miles someplace ells.  

Certainly seems that way at times.

Spent a little time in a ladder stand in AR a few years ago during the rifle season.  Heard a heavy deer come through not even 30 yards away but couldn't see through all the darned branches in my way.  Couldn't just get down to trail it either.  It felt too confining.

I was taught to hunt from the ground (with a rifle).  I can still hunt for days and never feel bored.  Can't say the same for the tree stand or elaborate blind setup.  Besides, if the deer are always moving, I figure I better do the same.  Natural blinds are everywhere behind boulders, trees logs, etc.  Why settle for just one?

[YosemiteSam]

Originally posted by marsh chicken:
can anyone recommend a good portable stool or chair to sit in while ground hunting to eliminate movement trying to get up while preparing for a shot at a deer or whatever.

Practice shooting from a seated position on the ground with the bow nearly horizontal.  Then all you need is a foam pad and a good rock or tree to lean against.

The soft talk turkey thing does work.  I would need to get a new fold up turkey decoy to try that.  Some old bored out his mind from sittin' too long when fall turkey/deer hunting bugger started taking pot shots at it and eventually shredded it. Some of those decoys start looking like targets after a while and a little field practice never hurts.

[RJonesRCRV]

Pavan, I hope you can find that guy and make him buy you a new decoy,  

[Nantahala Nut]

I have hunted out of a treestand a couple times. I enjoy the mobility of hunting on the ground. I go where the wind dictates and can set up a spot in 5 minutes. I keep pruning sheers in my pack. When I get to a new spot I trim saplings and stick them in the ground around where my seat will be.  It is simple and that works for me.

[Trenton G.]

Yes, I have rarely used a stand since I started hunting with traditional equipment. I definitely see the advantages of being in a tree, but I love being on the ground, face to face with 'em.

[WTT03]

Almost exclusively from the ground for me. Not sure why I stopped going up a tree for the most part. Maybe less stuff to carry in and worry about getting stolen? Only use natural blinds, deadfalls, etc., no commercial tent style blinds. Although I do own a couple of them. I just can't hear good enough while in them so I leave 'em for the kids to use. Do stalk also when the opportunity arises but for me it's mostly sit and wait.

[Keefer]

I started hunting the ground over the last 10 years and use natural blow downs and try to use the root ball as much as possible when I can. I killed a 7 point several years ago hiding under the umbrella of a root ball. Had a wild turkey walk about 3 feet in front of me and didn't even know I was there.
 When I do get a chance to scout I look for several trees that have fell and look for trails funneling from food source to bedding.
 I put keep my cloths sprayed with earth scent and keep them in a plastic tubs as well.

[Looper]

I've been hunting whitetails exclusively off the ground for the last 10 years or so, and have managed to take at least one each year. I am going to use a hang on stand this year, though, at least for a few hunts. The main reason is that I've got a few great spots for one, and will only hunt them when the wind is perfect.

Like others have said, I do greatly prefer the mobility of hunting off the ground, not to mention the safety. One thing for sure, though, if you are using natural cover, you had better be willing to pass up on some close shots. When you are at eye level with a deer, they will pick up on any movement.

Take a look at this video. I was sitting on a Niff-T seat with my back to a small bunch of dogwoods and a big bunch of beauty berry; nothing in front of me. A group of does had just moved by my right at about 15 feet, but I had no shot.  I heard this deer coming from about 100 yards away. When I saw he was not a legal buck, I slowly lifted my phone and recorded.

 

Pay close attention and think about when you would shoot. When he steps over that little log and stops, he's only about 6 or 7 feet in front of me. When this section of the video ends, he's about 12 yards, maybe a little less. Then think about how slowly you would have to move to not spook him. If you didn't already have your bow and body in position, you'd probably be out of luck. Your gear also needs to be as quiet as possible. Even an arrow making noise on the riser as you draw will give you away.

Incidents like this happen to me a few times every year. Most times, though, I'm much better hidden, and they don't even realize I'm there. I do also like to have some cover in front of me. I take a 6' piece of burlap and drape it up, high enough so that my arrow barely clears it. Kind of like this:
 

Originally posted by pavan:
I put up a ladder stand, the compound boys respect your location if there is a stand

Guessing you have never hunted in Michigan.....the "compound boys" (or some trad boys for that matter) respect nobody.....since forever as I remember.

Originally posted by Jerry Jeffer:
This is how I do it. I will also stalk if the opportunity arises.

     

Yep...me too!  I hunt from the ground exclusively nowadays.

[Friend]

Only the ground for me.

Have merely hunted three times, thus far, this season and will be hunting full swing the last week of October. Have passed on five separate solid shot opportunities under 15 yards.