Shooting from the Ground

[CDorton]

I also shot some sitting down this evening. Something to keep in mind: while shooting tonight I was wearing a hoodie, and the armpit area of it was getting into the string pretty heavy.

[Steven E Milbocker]

I shoot with a vertical bow and have no trouble shooting a 64" recurve sitting or kneeling.

[Roger Norris]

Originally posted by SELFBOW19953:
Try a Niff-T-Seat.  Small, light, self-contained, adjustable in height-5", 11", 16", 21".  No tree needed, pivots easily.  I love mine.  I can almost carry it in a cargo pants pocket.

   
   
   
     

My favorite seat....and sadly, I am pretty sure when the current stock is gone, they are gone.

I personally don't like sitting "butt on the ground". I can shoot ok, but I seem to make a LOT of movement in getting ready for the shot. By sitting even just slightly elevated, like on a short Nif T Seat, I am sitting in a more "ready" position.

[Roger Norris]

Originally posted by shed hunter:
I use to use one if those turkey hunting seat that are about 6" off the ground, until I broke it.  I'm aiming on getting another one. It may work for you as well.

I would like to hear about these.....they look durable, easy to carry.

I use a Walmart stretchy belt with my Nifty seat on my draw arm side.  The belt goes over the folded seat, then inside the seat frame, then back and around the peg to hold it flat.  This holds it firm and horizontal to my side, assembled.  I carry mine, even when I plan on still hunting.  One never knows when plans need changing, or just when a dry place to sit for a spell.  I use the longer leg length version.

[jcp161]

How long can you guys who use them actually sit comfortably on a nifty seat? Any problems with shifting?

I'd probably put it next to a tree, fall asleep and fall off of it right when a deer shows up. At least it wouldn't be far to fall.

[Frank V]

Originally posted by jcp161:
How long can you guys who use them actually sit comfortably on a nifty seat? Any problems with shifting?

I'd probably put it next to a tree, fall asleep and fall off of it right when a deer shows up. At least it wouldn't be far to fall.

:D    :D    :D
Sounds like somethig I'd do!!!  

A couple of years ago, I was injured by a rough knuckle head of a chiropractor.  I could still shoot but was very stiff and clumsy, I absolutely needed to be braced against a tree with my Nifty seat.  Wouldn't you know, a nice eight pointer came in from the wrong way.  When I spun I lost my back rest.  At 15 yards I attempted to shoot, instantly lost my balance as I reached anchor.  I attempted to dump the arrow away from the deer as I was falling, but still clipped a tine.  I still use the Nifty seat when I am not sure I will end up, but I am more careful about placement and my balance.  When I use tree clusters, I use a Gorilla strap on, and when I hunt brush, or have my Bush in a Bag, or junipers, I use my Huntmore.

[SELFBOW19953]

Roger,

I just received my "back-up" Nif-T-Seat from RPM.  Don't know how many more/how long they'll be available, so just in case......

[jcp161]

Can you post the RPM info or PM me with it?

I've used milk crates in the past on property where I could leave them without an issue. That won't work in the National Forest.

Pavan, I made a seat one time from a failed Torges seat experiment. I set it up so it would take a short dowel that had a metal spike inserted. The dowel held the seat about 8 inches off the ground with the spike holding the seat in place by being inserted into the ground and using a tree as a backrest. That's how it was supposed to work in theory.

In reality, it worked like your Nif-T seat after rough chiropractic treatment.

And that's why I hunt from a seat pad on the ground...

[SELFBOW19953]

Here's their home page.

  http://www.nifftseat.com/information.htm

I have several butt pads that I clip to my belt.  A log on a hill side is more comfortable with a bit of padding.  I can shoot any length of bow sitting on a hillside with my back against a support, as long as I am shooting down hill or forward with the bottom limb on the down hill side.  A simple pad makes this much more comfortable, if there is not a flat spot for me bum, I make one.  
   I tried short bows and sitting on the ground.  I cannot shoot short bows good enough to trust myself with them.

[jcp161]

I think I just had an Aha moment.

I honestly never consciously thought about picking a spot to sit where I could use the terrain to my advantage and accommodate the bow length. Plenty of hills where I hunt too that could make it work.

Checked the Nif-T seat site. Can't, or won't, do $87 for a seat. Back to the drawing board on that one.

[PeteA]

I'd say your hunting seat is one of your most important pieces of equipment. I've been hunting from the ground now for about 10 years out of 30. I've amassed an assortment of seats. Home made wooden nifty seat, small metal folding camp chair, Waldrop PAC seat, Torges seat, small folding plastic foot stool. All of which position me sitting from 11 to 16 inches off the ground. In all cases I use my 60 inch recurve. I cant my bow to about the one or two o'clock position. Same thing from the kneeling position. I usually have very little issue with clearance. In some cases I actually shoot better from a kneeling and shooting position. Not really sure why. I also practice from a shooting and kneeling position regularly. Almost as much as from a standing position.

A seat for a ground hunter is as important as a tree stand is to a tree dweller. You need to seat comfortably and silently for hours on stand. Don't take them too lightly.