Tips for ground hunting

[Bucket]

I've had my fill of packing #50 of crap into the woods with me. So I plan on spending this fall hunting with just the bow in my hand an a quiver full of arrows on my back. Problem is, I haven't hunted from the ground in about 25 years. (and wasn't really that good at it then    )

What do you look for when setting up? Should I concentrate on hiding and limit my shooting lanes or position myself so I have more shots but less cover?

Anything else you have learned over the years would be appreciated.

Ron

[woodchucker]

It hasn't changed much in 25 years Ron.....Might even be alittle bit easier now.

The Deer are so busy wandering around looking up in the trees,they may just wander into your lap LOL.

Honestly.....Go find yourself a comfortable place to sit.....In a good spot.....watch the wind.....and your doin' it!!!!! The rest is Luck, My Friend!!!!!

May The Great Spirit Guide Your Arrows

[insttech1]

More cover the better.

I like little ground blinds (natural ones) that you can throw a little stool into--especially on public land, where it won't get swiped ('cause you take it w/ you).

Move slow (of course), and don't cover yourself in the darkest camo available--you'll look like a black blob moving around.  I prefer lighter greens/greys/browns while on the ground, or camo isn't even necessary.

For real up-close stuff, however, I do find that a little bit of face camo keeps me from being picked off.

And fletching--I don't care what anyone says, bright white fletching will get you busted.  

I switched to yellow and red, or deeply barred black/white, and had much better luck.

I try and find something I that I can set up behind, and not in front of, so I can move around a little bit...or even read a book.

But I like to relax out there...so that's just me.  I take a stool some water, and a book, and I'm pretty happy.  

And if you are still-hunting, I would find a pack that has absolutely silent shoulder straps.  There's nothing worse than hearing a nylon scrape every step you take as you're listening in the woods that are nearly silent on a windless day.  Drives me nuts...!

Good luck this year....3 days to go!!!

Take Care,
M

[J-dog]

don't second guess yourself

J

[bjk]

Not much different btwn up a tree or on the ground, setting up where deer frequent will yield the best results.

[Deadsmple]

play the wind and keep in good back cover.

[no]

I use a strap on tree seat w/ great success. Just be confortable & stay still. Remember the wind.  Mike

[five-oh]

I'm probably not a good one to give advice, as I've never stuck anything from the ground.  But one thing I have found is if you think you are ready to move, you look around and don't see any deer, wait another half hour before you move.  I've probably had that happen to me a half dozen times, and if I just would have waited, I would have had a decent shot.

[J-dog]

That is what I meant five-oh, I have done that same mistake SOOOO many times!    

So my favorite rule is never start doubting or second guessing yourself.

Lader

J

[Jerry Jeffer]

I did some stalking for a couple hours this morning. I entered the property with wind in my face, and I worked my way across the land nice and easy. The place was thick, so I had to glass alot for any deer peeking at me through the woods. I got up on a buck about 15 yards. Can't shoot him yet. He takes off. Later stalked some doe at a watering spring off the edge of an over grown field. Just in side the woods with a lot of big wild rose brush around. If you are going to sit, I go with playing the wind and back cover too.

[SouthMDShooter]

i would get where your going a couple days early if possible and make your self a good natural blind with good cover, then wen you go to hunt it sneak in with a stool and just be still.

Its such a rush when your in a natural blind and there are deer within ten yards of yo and dont knoe your there! Oh and the most important part... HAVE FUN!!

[Bucket]

"Oh and the most important part... HAVE FUN!"

This is my goal for the fall. I've killed a lot of deer with a bow but over the last couple years something has been missing. I've come to the conclusion that while the shot still gives me a rush that can't be compared, the hassle of getting up in the tree and all the other aspects of hunting an elevated stand detracts from the hunt. At least for me it does.

[SuperK]

Hey Bucket, I know how ya' feel.  By the time ya lug all the stuff in and get up the tree, you're soaking wet and woreout.  I bought me an apache pyramid blind to use when I hunt from the ground.  Super light and it sets up in seconds.  You still got to pick the right spot (the boys have given some good points), but it gives you some "cover" so you can get drawn without being seen.  I have only used it a couple of times so far;, no shots yet but it does show real potiential.  It is a different ballgame down on the ground,but when your eye-to-eye to a deer up close, whew!

[mcgroundstalker]

Hunt from the ground? Why would you want to do that? I'll tell ya why... Cause It's Fun!!! Yea you are gonna get busted alot but... So What! Just something about being "eye to eye" with critters that gives me a rise!

Remember that lions and tigers get busted too. That's why it's called hunting. Go For It!

... mike ...  

PS ... So many of us on the same page...COOL!

[44charlie]

if youre in the woods anything can happen and it usually does! the more you hunt from the ground you'll learn what it takes. and i love getting busted cus it happens more on the ground than being strapped to a tree but when you see the wet on their nose and can see each other blick- well that's a go hunt to me!

[Montyc]

I usually find a big tree to set up against with the wind in my face.  It will give you good back cover.  Stay still, and be patient. 44charlie has it right in that you will get busted, but there is nothing like being five feet away from a deer and them not even knowing your there.  It sure is fun!

[Swanny in MD]

do yourself a favor and get ASAT leafy wear...works wonderfully.

[bowdude]

Sit high, shoot low.  Oh, that only works in bluff country.