Just curious as to how many is trying the ground this season? I've been hunting on the ground for 2 years now without success. I've seen alot of deer with some very close encounters but no luck as of yet. Need some verble help to tuff it out. You guy's that have any input or storys would be a big help! Thanks' Jason
My first time out I had a doe come to about 15 away. I missed her. String duck. Arrow went just over her shoulder.
Hunt the wind for your setup. Mine is set to have uphill predominant winds in the afternoon. Winds are in my favor. I'm shooting slightly downhill towards the trail.
Did you read the book from G Fred Asbel, stalking and still hunting.
I realy liked it!
Cheers
Good luck
As far as big game goes, where I live I regularly hunt black bears, moose, and caribou exclusively from the ground. I have also hunted a few other species elsewhere from the ground only.
But, although I have successfully hunted whitetail deer from the ground, I enjoy the view and the change so I hunt them most often from a tree stand.
I don't hunt on the ground 100% in fact probably only around 20% of the time. Usually only in areas where there's no suitable trees but I did take this little guy last week from the ground along a weed/fence row.
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l87/adeeden/2010indianabow001.jpg)
I have hunted from a ground blind the last 4 hunts and I miss the ability to see a lot farther from a stand.I may be going back to it.
I hunted off the ground last night. I do whatever the terrain tells me to....if a treestand is right for the spot, great. But I don't NOT hunt a good spot because there are no trees.
I used one of those "bush in a bag" ghillie ponchos last night, I liked it quite a bit.
I hunt from the ground. It isn't easy but more challenging. Been doing it for 4 years I think but yesterday I had a doe 3 yards away. No shot bad angle, quartering towards me. Today I had a bear come in. I stopped him about 40 yards out. He didn't see me but he circled to catch my scent. As soon as he did he was gone in a flash. Ground hunting is very exciting.
I hunt on the ground and have been for three years. Quite a challange. It has taken alot of trial and errors along the way. I have gotten so much better at it that I feel comfortable with it. I have taken two hogs and spooked lots of deer. I see more deer close up than in a tree stand. Deer seem to spot you in a tree stand around here, unless you get forty feet up, and you can have that.I have missed a couple of deer but hope to get on this year.
I hunt from the ground. In fact I've never set foot in a tree stand, though I assure you I have nothing against them whatsoever. It's simply a matter that I live in the west and learned to hunt on the ground (with a rifle). When I switched to a bow I continued to hunt the way I was taught. Truth is I know absolutely nothing about how to properly place a tree stand.
I'm on the ground this year, but I prefer to be in a tree stand. This is my first year exclusively with a trad bow and I haven't practiced enough from heights to be confident with it, maybe by next year I can get my butt up in a tree and kill something?
I also found out real quick that my pop up blind is too small for shooting my Grizzly out of, no mater how I turn I slap my top limb on the canvas and it lets out a loud "Whop!"
So I make natural cubby blinds out of what's in the immediate area I'm hunting, haven't had a deer close yet, but it must be working as far as concealment because I had a coyote witin 20 steps of me and I missed right over it's back. It never paid any attention to me what so ever.
100 percent! Hogs don't climb trees...lol
God bless,Mudd
Killed my first deer from the ground last year and it was awsome. I'm about 50 50 ground and tree this year.
Always...just set up as you would from a treestand..u wont be able to see as well in terms of what;s coming down the trail but its some kinda rush to have a buck 12 yards from you trying to make you out inside that little brush pile..after taking a small buck on the ground last year I think I;ll stay down here for a while...also..Semo makes a good point...theres nowhere for me to practice out of a stand.
For me, I think bow hunting public property from the ground is easier. However, when gun season come in, I feel safer up in a tree or behind a solid barrier.
Ground blind for me either natural or pop up. I like being at eye level with the game I'm bowhunting.
I hunt on the ground and have been since 1995 after I had my art. valve replaced. Dr. said no trees
So far this year with my bow, yes I have hunted off the ground.
I am. Not that I wouldn't go up just don't have a stand anymore. Gotta love close encounters at eye level though.
Keeping the Faith!
Magnus
Spot and stalk is all I do for the most part. Not many trees around here. :)
QuoteOriginally posted by Blackstick:
For me, I think bow hunting public property from the ground is easier. However, when gun season come in, I feel safer up in a tree or behind a solid barrier.
I try my best not to be anywhere near pubic ground during rifle season, even if it means sitting in my back yard in a lawn chair.
Better get a kevlar vest and helmet. :scared:
100% from the ground last 6 years now; have killed an average of 10 to 12 deer a year; my camo, nothing but a ghillie suit; can't say enough about their effectiveness........ :campfire:
All of my hunting here in S-MN is on WMA's which are big grass/cattail marshes for ducks and pheasants. Cattails don't support stands very well. I am working on a ghillie suit right now. I have had success, but I do miss the field of view you get from a tree stand. Missed a doe at 12 feet Wednesday. Field of view is about 20 yards at best and the deer get up on you before you see them. But if you watch the grass tops, you can sometimes see it parting and you know something larger is on its way.
on the ground for the first time...we'll see how it goes
Terra Firma for me.
This year and every year. Heavy brush around here and Elk move a lot randomly that is. Love the ground and don't see a reason to use a tree stand in my neck of the woods.
I bought two tree stands and made plans to give it a try but, ended up pounding the turf. Seems I see plenty deer this way and it's hard to give something else a try.
Been on the ground since '97 and have taken some game. Just took two deer in the last two days. I spot and stalk some times, but mostly set up with a torges style seat.
This year, last year, the year before that and so on. I'm just an old groundhog.
I'm liking my Double Bulls this year. Very cool way to do it.
I hunt from the ground also. I do not have a tree stand and I hunt state land and "archery only" open to the public land.
90 % ground for me , I like being mobile and using natural cover ,rocks ,blow downs and ground blinds. Most likely why I don't shot anything...lol!
All ground for me. I have been weeding out the treestands the last few years and now am the proud owner of none. I feel a lot more connected with my feet on the soil.
Just came in from the morning hunt and had a doe at 8 yards and her fawns at 15. None of them knew I was there. WIND IS FIRST AND FOREMOST,stillness and blending in follow.Once you kill one from the ground you will be hooked.
Good Hunting,
Craig
I'm on the ground...exclusively.
Seeing deer.
Was seeing a lot more. My hunting buddy uses a crossgun and I'm afraid he may have scared the deer from that area by missing twice....dang that thing is loud.
Keep trying. I haven't got it done from the ground with a trad bow yet.
So, far this year been on the ground. Shot a turkey at 18 yards. Been seeing some deer had one about 20 yards, more to do with where hunting than set up. Play the wind, and blend in and move slow. Was going to hunt on ground all year, but wife bought me a chippewa wedge loc, so will hve to give it a try.
For about the last 6 years. Of course that's when I can a chance to go hunting.
I shot my biggest buck from the ground, but I must admit it was total luck to happen upon him. I mostly hunt whitetails from the trees. I don't have much confidence yet in my ability to outsmart a whitetail from the ground. I can however sneak into some of the craziest spots in trees and have taken some nice deer. Someday I'll learn, I would imagine its alot more fun than planting yourself on a small platform for 4-5 hours.
Been on the ground all yr except for last Friday - Have not shot a deer this yr but have taken several in the past - used to be stuck to the ground when I was young cause I had no stand!- necessity is the best teacher.
Staying to the ground this yr for the most part. I am going in a tree at some point this week to try and get a white oak acorn eating doe I encountered last Friday without success.
J
One of my favorite natural ambush locations in Jersey
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/P3080008.jpg)
Stillhunting....gotta love ASAT
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/scan0003-6.jpg)
I do a little but still gather most of my groceries from the trees. I did kill 2 deer from the ground last year. One from a store bought blind and one just sitting on a stool behind a natural blind. Just tree stands so far this year but I will definitely hunt on the ground some.
Good post, I too am looking for the motivation to give up tree stands, going to be getting a ghillie suit in the next week or so, bought Fred asbell's stalking book, picked up the eye level bucks DVD by mike Lapinski. ground guys, keep the posts coming on this one.
Dan
The last time I was off the ground was '73-'74. Hap
spot and stalk plus sit and sleep dont laugh it does work. :biglaugh:
I know, hunt the wind, but yesterday I was hunting from the ground and the wind was going in the same direction as me. when I finally came up on them they still didn't know I was there until they saw me moving. I didn't care as I was looking at something else having to do with the construction going on at the property.
Last year when I finally decided to hunt the ground I stalked up to with 10 feet to a young button buck, mom was about 25 yds. away and that was the one I was after. The little guy finally busted me just before he almost trampled me. They never figured out what I was, just that I didn't belong.
I only hunt the ground when the weather is helping me. If it rained the night before and everything is still wet and or there is a good breeze, with out that I hunt treestands.
I am hunting off the ground this year for the first time.But i am already missing the view. Time marches on!
I'm on the ground about 90% of the time I'm hunting. To me, it is just a lot more fun at eye level. Two turkeys by stalking so far this season; could have shot several deer, but haven't seen the 'right' deer as of yet. The rut isn't far off, however.
I have hunted both ways and have killed deer both ways. I would say that with the proper set up, they are equally effective. I do think it is exciting to be on the ground with the critters you are hunting and see them pop out in front of you at 10 yards, but I have limited experience, I have only taken about 3 or 4 deer from the ground with a bow.
It is really like mentioned earlier, you hunt how the terrian tells you to. If you need to be on the ground, do it. If you need to be in a tree, start climbing.
God Bless,
Nathan
Sitting above ground is a new thing for me. Only last few years have I tried treestands and brush or pop-up blinds. 95% of the time I'm a ground pounder still hunting and ambushing with natrual blinds or just a good back drop. I have only killed one animal from tree.
After finding out all the treestands were stolen off my dad's farm, looks like I'm on the ground this year too.
With all the tree stands being stolen, someone should come up with a radio controlled device that within a few mile radius sets off a small blasting cap strategically placed and see who wets their britches!
AS for the ground, I LOVE watchin all manner of forest creatures from trees totally clueless to my existence.
Then I built me a string ghillie suit. Used it in spring turkey... and a few personal things prodded me to do the ground this year.
Had a fox w/in 10 yards scratchin, chippie ran over my foot, hawk sat above me screamin obscenities not knowing I was there... just no deer!
Then this weekend, I had a fawn within 12 yards and then a couple more doe close. It was quite an experience! There might be something to this ground stuff!
Me about 80% of the time.
doug77
Sneaking on the ground as ever so quiet to be, hoping that the deer don't hear or recognise me. When I want to hide away, the doghouse blind I go, hoping to get a shot off at that big buck or whitetail doe.
The nice thing about this post is everyone is having fun, life is good !
Good luck to all this season.
I`ve been at this trad thing a while and killed most of my deer from the tree. I seldom kill a pig from a tree . Hunting on the ground for me is easier as far as gear and extends my in the swamp distance as well.My most exciting kills on deer have been from the ground and my almost kills as well. I recently injured a leg and will mostly be on the ground and actually look forward to it. starting a 9 day hunt tomorrow. Thankyou Lord.RC
Thanks' for all the input fella's, its nice to hear all the storys. I personally like the ground better but I will admit that I can see farther in a tree and you know what's coming for it gets there. Getting deer close don't seem to be a problem just closeing the deal. I know one thing, I stay alot warmer down on the ground in late season, I freeze my hind end off anyway! HA! Thanks' Jason
I only hunt on the ground, I get to see more country that way...PR
I am about ready to give up tree stands. I've hunted successfully with my ghillie suit and have killed a good Mulie from a DB blind. I do love the ground and the shot angles are much better.
I practice shooting sitting with my back up against a big tree in my yard quite a bit
I've taken a few this way,
I like to still hunt slowly thru the woods when its raining and breezy I've walked right up on deer often in those conditions.
Like tree stands also especailly if the leaves are real dry
This was my first year from the ground and i had alot of success. I shot 2 deer and let alot of young buck walk past to live and grow up.I had alot of close encounters with all kinds of wildlife,it have been a great season so far.Keep at it and learn from your success and mistakes.
Been hunting trad for 3 seasons now all from the ground. Have a few clean misses, got busted a couple times but it's all good. Maybe next year. Need to figure out how to get them in the 15 yard mark.
Nothing but ground hunting for me.
We have hunted in home made ground blinds for about 12yrs. , 100 percent of the time. usually harvest 2 deer each year. It really adds to the excitement when you get them close. we're starting to go to more spot and stock.
Although I am new to traditional archery gear, I have quite a bit of experience bow hunting deer, hogs, javalina, one turkey and small game. I hunted from a tree stand one time in Tx on a deer hunt and the results were so disasterous I haven't been a tree since. Plus I felt like I had no control over my situation while in the tree. My success depended entirely on how the deer decided to move that particular morning.
One thing to remember is to use cover to break up your outline and conceal your movement. It is just as important have cover behind you as it is to have cover between you an your query.
On the Tx hunt referenced above, I was successful after I got back on the ground (picked up my bow and all my arrows) and set up at the base of a large cedar tree. I tied branches back on either side and did some minute trimming to create a small cave like blind inside the tree. With the cedar around me 180 degrees and the shadows covering what little movements I made, the small 6 point buck walking about 8 yards out along the edge of the creek I was facing never knew what hit him.
That was my first archery deer way back in 1988. I've taken a lot of game since then with rifle, handgun and bow and they've all been from the ground.
I have nothing against those who use tree stands and I'll even admit that I would most likely have been even more successful had I taken the time to master the tree stand but, I've never been into hunting strictly for the kill. I want to enjoy my hunting experience and for me, that means hunting on the ground where I feel a bit more connected to my query and my environment. I also have to admit I'm a sucker for nostalgia and I don't recall any of my bow hunting heros hunting from trees.
Sorry for the long winded post. I hope I conveyed at least a small part of how I feel about hunting on the ground.
Best of luck to you.
Tom
Hunt the ground (very hilly forests and gullies) about 70% of the time. Leafy suit with some homemade Ghillie wool added, and walk reaaal slooow. Amazing what will walk in front of you. Might take all day to go a few hundred yards, if that.
With the hills and gullies, you get to see a long way from the ground. It would probably be a different story for me if it was flatter country.
I still like my tree stands though and enjoy resting in them and being up in the trees. I cam them all up like squirrel nests, kind of an elevated ground blind. Like tree forts for big kids :-)
Heading to my ground blind in about an hour!....Phil
I got a mule deer while on the ground....
I used my climber one time this year. I havent' had any problem getting deer close..getting a shot has been the hard part. I love being on the ground, it's so much more fun going through the process of building blinds.. etc. My 12 year old son really enjoy's it, and that's what it's all about! Jason