This is something an old hunter, who taught me how to still-hunt told me. It's helped me be successful in SEEING game. Hopefully it will do the same for you.....
You need a change of mindset, a total mind transformation once you enter the woods. You must now be an equal part of the surroundings. Act, move, and think like you you belong there. Like the trees, and animals. Everything is moving slowly and gracefully. Taking time to examine everything around you. Chipmunks, Squirrels, birds and mammals. You should be able to see and be aware of and UNDERSTAND everything that is happening around you. Remember you are a part of the surroundings, you belong there. You are a tree, a squirrel, a bird, a deer. Do not play the role of predator. At this point you are not. You are just a normal part of the woods, and the other creatures perceive you as that. This attitude will enable you to be in tune with all creatures. Get within a sensible range. After this has occurred, then you gently nock an arrow, pick a spot, concentrate and release. But only if you are so lucky to have the opportunity. Remember you are the woods. You are not a killer. You are a woodsman. And a woodsman does not kill, he provides using his skills. Providing is a bonus. Time in the field being one with your surroundings is the real prize. Cheers! My brothers and sisters.
Steve I like how that old hunter thinks. Sounds a lot like how my dad has taught me.
Someone once said, "The difference between knowledge and wisdom is knowing and doing." When we set foot into the woods it becomes the time to slow down and remember to hunt with our minds as much as our bodies. Stalking and still hunting is a true art. I wouldn't hunt any other way. Had many, many almosts with Trad Gear but I'm still at it.
Gotta Love This Stuff!
... mike ... :archer: ...
In the last 40 years I've killed dozens of deer with bow and arrow all but one from a treestand. Last year I shot a large doe from a pine bough ground blind I built. The thrill of that one doe superceded all of the other kills. I can't imagine stalking a deer, getting a shot and connecting on one. That would for me be the ultimate thrill.
Sounds like a hunter who knew how how to hunt. More folks should read these words, their time afeild would be greatly enriched.......
Sounds like he doesn't have his own TV show, what a pity.
If he had his own tv show, no one would watch it because he wouldn't allow the stupid rock band to follow him around in the woods.
Like Ferret, my father taught me to still hunt. In fact crawling up in a tree to hunt was not looked on kindly around our neck of the woods. I have been successful out of a tree and sitting in a tree can be enjoyable (for about 3 hours), but like Reddogge said, you can't beat the Tingle Factor of taking any deer from the ground. Mine last year was at 5 yds. after enduring 3 or 4 minutes (seemed like an eternity) of head bobbing, foot stamping scrutiny before she decided I was just an odd shaped bush. Gotta love them Ghillie suits.