Ground hunting is great!!

[TGbow]

Originally posted by pavan:
Went out hunting today. I must have been ground hunting, I shot it twice. Once, a rabbit almost got in the way.

Now thats funny  

[Blog on Bottom]

mh - I've ground hunted only since 1987. There is NO way in the world I'd ever go back to being restrained in a tree.
One thing I've learned about deer that are definitely going to come within range is to instantly kneel down. They cannot tag you as a human that way and are more likely to tolerate your presence. I know you didn't have time, but that's a tip (I read it in a book) that is too good to keep to myself. It has allowed me to get away with being completely away from any cover whatsoever when a deer happens by...

[JDunlap]

I have always tried to hunt from a tree stand or from a tree limb...but after this year I am starting to wonder if the shots from the ground are more likely to be kill shots because you do away with the bad vertical angle.?? Any thoughts?

[Bowwild]

I've shot mulies (WY) and one white-tail (TX) from the ground. It is a novel shot for me not too have too worry about tree-steep angles that might not produce an exit wound.

Personally, I'm planning to put up more treestands than I ever have this coming July. My son and I will take down 4 hang-ons next week and put into storage.

I went to the trees October 1, 1970 when I was 16 and can't imagine not spending most of my fall hunting hours in em.  I love being in trees. I love the feel of the tree when a squirrel jumps in just a few feet above your head. Eye to eye with birds, and I can fidget more in the tree than outside a blind on the ground.

I have to admit though I'm impressed by fellows who consistently take white-tail deer from the ground.

[mh2324]

Originally posted by Blog on Bottom:
mh - I've ground hunted only since 1987. There is NO way in the world I'd ever go back to being restrained in a tree.
One thing I've learned about deer that are definitely going to come within range is to instantly kneel down. They cannot tag you as a human that way and are more likely to tolerate your presence. I know you didn't have time, but that's a tip (I read it in a book) that is too good to keep to myself. It has allowed me to get away with being completely away from any cover whatsoever when a deer happens by...

Thanks for the tip! That's some great info and something I wouldn't have known to do. Makes sense though. I think thats why this deer was so curious and didn't immediately bolt off, because I was facing him directly with my arms and bow pulled close to my body and not profiled at all as I would have been if I were walking perpendicular to him. Much easier to identify a human from the side I would guess than from the front.

[Blog on Bottom]

You're welcome. It was a eureka moment for me when I read that tip and tried it. So that I give appropriate credit, the book was Still-Hunting Trophy Whitetails by Bill Vaznis.
When I read it a couple of years ago, I was frustrated that I had not figured it out on my own. Thinking back through the years, when deer had come upon me while I was kneeling or sitting by a tree, they rarely gave me a second look. When I was upright, the deer either spooked or were so wired that no shot was possible.
Since then, when I realize a deer is going to be in range, I nearly dive for the ground. I almost never spook them now. (Assuming I've played the wind correctly.)