Well guys since I had surgery on my back I am going to hunt mostly on the ground(not due to fear just being a little smarter) for this coming year. I do have a few ground blinds that I have used made up already.
So I have a few places that I had stands in and plan on hitting some other areas that I have never been able to get stands in due to time restraints. I plan to hit as many areas as I can on the ground. Spot and stalk is very very difficult on our public land.
So what tips and tricks do you have for me to help the ground game this year. Thanks for any replies in advance.Tim
I dont have a lot of experience with ground hunting but since your on public land, Im not sure Id leave a blind out. I would prolly go in a few weeks before your season opens and build some natural blinds in a few areas for different wind directions. Good luck with your back. I have had 2 back surgeries myself and am almost 100% normal although some would dispute that. :)
Avoid making eye contact and do not look at the animal; move when their eyes are averted-feeding and head down. Remember they see 'sideways'. If you are busted appear nonchalant-you are not interested in them-don't behave like a predator. I have gotten fairly close by appearing to walk the other way.
Especially with Elk you want cover behind you-don't worry so much about cover in front.
Well I am not expert enough to tell you much but will share a few obvious things.
Make your brush blind type stands roomy enough that you can look around and stand up without hitting the sides and spooking the animal. Also, build in some concealment from the rear as these guys will sneak in behind you more often than you might guess. Use a comfortable seat, because you sit still for much longer when you are comfy. Be especially concious of wind direction.
Move SLOWLY.Be QUIET, remembering to clear the leaves and debris from around your feet. Camo is anything that allows you to blend into your particular surroundings. Commercial camo or muted plaids are both very effective, as are ghillie suits. I'm sure you already know all this, but it is good reinforcement to repeat the basics from time to time.
I have been doing more ground hunting in recent times, myself. We all know pretty much what to do, but noise and sight discipline are just that much more important when on the ground.
You will also have opportnunities to see a lot of wildlife close up. Squirrels, possums, and birds will often wander into your ground blind. On one chilly evening a black snake actually crawled into my lap, presumably for warmth (no danger here, I had seen this particular snake several times in the area and was familiar with it). Once I had a youg doe with traces of spots still showing stick her head in the blind. She was too much of a baby to want to shoot her. All of this is to show that in addition to being a very effective means to hunt, it is also very entertaining. By the way, laughing out loud at some of these sights is not good sound discipile.
You will love it. Good luck with the recovery after your surgery. Desire to return to the sport is just as important as the physical training in your overall progress. Work quickly but don't rush it beyond medical advice.
QuoteOriginally posted by Bjorn:
You want cover behind you-don't worry so much about cover in front.
The best advice you can get is right there.
Lots of good advice in the archives
The coolest thing about ground hunting I discovered by accident when I dug a slight hole. LSS, the hole eventually became about 2-3' deep & plenty big enough for my portable seat. I surrounded it w/deadfall w/enough shooting lanes in every direction. Could rest my elbows on my knees & see through the woods at ground level under brush, etc.
This initial stand came alive with animals I'd not seen before as I could see them at good distances through the woods. Amazing! Now when I find a promising area, I look for a place to dig a hole.
1) Ghillie suit, ghillie suit, ghillie suit!
2) Make sure you have a comfortable chair to sit in. Remember, you are eye-level with your prey so you want to keep movement to a minimum.
3) The wind is ever-more critical. Make sure you set up with it in your favor.
4) Carry a piece of camo netting with you to help fill in the holes of your cover.
5) Carry a good quality folding saw with you. I like the Silky brand saws.
6) Carry a bunch of 14" zip ties with you. They are great for the construction of ground blinds.
My two cents!
Darren
Good advice here. It's never too early to start thinkig about making some natural blinds.
Good stuff right there Darren.
Always good info and I take note. Love to hunt on the ground. What has been said already pretty much sums it up!
I love these ground hunting threads!
Jason
Ghillie poncho over me and a Huntmore chair equal motionless comfort. The problem with it is when birds land on me they get their little foots caught in the webbing. Another problem that comes up is the wheelie guys think that they are seeing a Sasquatch when they walk into you. The funny part is they never even see me until I wave. "Just your friendly neighborhood Sasquatch saying Hi" kind of wave, my god what a bunch of screamers in our part of the woods, just about as bad as my next door neighbor.
Try to keep yourself in the shadows if possible. Sunlight will accent your movement.
Just made a ghillie poncho the end of this season. Can see extreme possibilities!
Use a separate head cover so it turns with your head
I got to thinking one day about an old one piece camo coverall I had and never used, then got to thinking about the Rancho Safari ground blind shield I kept when I sold the suit. I started cutting up that shield and strategically sewed it to my one piece in such a way that would be best for bow hunting and ended up with something I think will be awesome this year. Made a boonie to match and had enough left over to have a 2 piece blanket of the stuff I can use over my lap or tie it in front or behind me shielding my silhoutte. Put a lot of thought and work into it and love it. It is so much more quiet and lighter than the Rancho Ghilli. Thats what I had against it when I had it, too noisy for me, and heavy. I left the back without the jute and burlap for using my backpack. I tied the 2 pieces together and roll the suit, hat and chair into the shield for a compact roll and strap it to the pack till I get to where I'm going. Open it, put it on and sit down. I can just vanish in less than a minute. The suit is plenty big to allow for any tempurature by adjusting inside clothing, even made a belt sewn in the drawing arm side to take up loose clothing when seated so it won't catch the string. Pretty cool, I'm very excited for this years hunts.
I have found that still hunting through public land can be productive as other people in the woods can serve to keep game moving, sometimes right to you. Move slow, stay alert. Don't step on anything you can step over. When you pause for a while, make sure you have clearance to draw. Stop where you have some cover, but you can turn around and have bow clearance to draw. This can be a good tactic while scouting for that natural blind or stand location.
I always like these threads. I have goals to hunt from the ground more. I think I worry about our highly variable winds too much. I continue to build ground blinds whenever I can get out and scout. Any pinch point or good trail I come across I usually build a ground blind for the two most common wind directions. I hope to sit on the ground more often this fall. Keep the suggestions coming.
Thanks for the tips. I do have a few ground blinds set up and plan to do some of Terry Greens tent spike tree bend blinds as well. I think being mobile and able to hunt a few more pieces should up the deer stock in the freezer.
Lots of good advice in the archives
1. wind
2. good cover behind you
3. keep movement to a mimimum
4. location,location,location
5. lots of patience
Get a good seat - GFA has what you need. If you are not comfortable you will wiggle around. Then you may as well stay home.
I'm always finding trails and building natural blinds when I'm in the woods. The best part about ground hunting (besides safety) is the mobility factor. My favorite and often most productive days are when I find a trail away from other hunters and set up downwind in a blowdown or a quick stick blind under a White Pine.
I've done this numerous times and had bucks and does come sniffing my scents placed near the trail within a few minutes. Very cool stuff...
I have to hunt from an ATV due to parapalegia,and have had some luck.
1.As little movement as possable!
2.Good back ground camo!
3.Find some good trails,I have 4 intersecting!!!
4.Do a lot of practicing from the seat and blind you will use!
5.At first it seems a lost cause if your used to sitting in trees, PATIENCE,PATIENCE,PATIENCE!!!!
pavan, you ain't right...."just like my next door neighbor" LOL!!!!!!!
That was funny. Any pictures?
A fighting hole is a great way to see critters. It is not eye to eye, it is the opportunity to see feet coming to you without those all seeing eyes. While in the service we would dig in and I was amazed at what came by.
Glasses reflect light if not careful.
Shadows work, sunlight, while warm on cold. Days, doesn't
I started totally ground hunting in 05. But have forthe last 40 years on and off when I could'nt get in a tree. Now I would'nt have it any other way.
I've made a ghillie in 1980 the store bought ones had just hit the market and were way to heavy. Mines 2 pounds and I use it every hunt. I don't care much for pop ups.
There's one simple thing to do when ground hunting. I set up all my ground sites like this. For gobblers and bucks. I set up where they must go by me. 2 Reasons 1 They know if safer behind where they just came from. So there attentions foused away from you. 2 This makes drawing so much easer exspecialy on gobblers that can see way father towards there back.
This is the only way I set up for ground shots.
Remember if you can see them they can see you.
QuoteOriginally posted by FerretWYO:
QuoteOriginally posted by Bjorn:
You want cover behind you-don't worry so much about cover in front.
The best advice you can get is right there. [/b]
Yep.
When I'm hunting from the ground, the ideal situation is if I can find a patch of thick grapevines on the downwind side of a well used trail, rub line, scrape, etc.
The one thing I've never figured out is playing the wind. If I played the wind around here...I would never even sit down. I'm pretty limited on places to hunt and the place I do have is very hilly. It is really hard to find a consistant wind and flat ground is hard to find in these parts. Anybody have any tips on this? I try to control my scent as best I can but I probably get winded more than I know.
Jason
I do alot of hunting from the ground and actually took my first coyote and first turkey with a recurve from the ground. Killed the turkey last fall at eye level from about 12 steps while the other 12 or so hens fed. My secret at this spot was by being almost "below" them. A small over hang right at the edge of a sloping ridge cap over looking the river where I live just happened to have a tree as wide as my shoulders close enough to hang my portable tree seat on. Then I added a bit of brush in front so any approaching game could only see me from about my shoulders up with the rest of my body hidden behind the overhang. I was basically watching staight up the hill at eye level with turkey and deer, but they didn't pay me anymore attention than if I were a stump or rock............until I wacked one that is, then they were looking for me everytime there after.
I also make several natural ground blinds using cedar boughs to brush my blinds in. I make a triangle around 3 nice size trees {in the area I want to hunt} by using wire, rope, or even small saplings cut from the area and fasten them about chest height. Then hang the cedar boughs upside down like a "V" so the green part hangs down and conceals me behind it.
***I try not to use nails or screws in the trees because those will hurt future log value many years down the road and I hunt mostly on my neighbor's ground.***
To finish it off I add camo burlap or camo material behind the cedar boughs all the way around the inside so the critters can't see through it.
It's very effective and I've got them scattered here and there through my stomping grounds just like you would have semi permanent tree stands.
I'm actually working on a new one right now for the upcoming spring turkey season. I'll get some pics and post them here so you can see exactly what I'm describing.
I love the ground game cause it puts critters right in my face and is much more exciting hunting them that way versus the overhead view. I also hunt from tree stands, but enjoy the ground view much more and it's safer. :thumbsup:
I have hunted from the ground with my bow for over 20 years and absolutely love it. There is all ready a bunch of great advice all ready given. I will hit the big three that I try to live by. For hunting from a ground blind I follow these three rules
1. be comfortable if you aren't you will fidget and move and get busted.
2. I use natural cover whenever possible and don't do a lot of trimming or building. Like all ready stated cover behind is more important then cover in front.
3. I always set up so that when the animal is in my shooting lane he has all ready moved past me and is quartering away. Just like Roy Steele said.
These three things helped me to be successfull from the ground.
Here's some pics of my "V" style natural ground blind I just finished today. This one will be permanent. It's only about 300 yards from my house over on my neighbor's property where I've killed deer, turkey, and coyotes on this hillside. I can leave my deck, walk to this blind and be hunting in less than 10 min. I've heard turkey gobbling on this hillside regularly during the spring season.
I've made quite a few of these blinds and some are fairly complicated like this one which I made in about 4 hours. Then some are very simple that I have thrown together on the fly in less than 10 minutes from surrounding cover with only some para cord and a pair of limb pruners.
Here's the critter's view when they come down the old logging road off the top of the hill.
(http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww146/mohunter68/NaturalGroundBlind001.jpg)
If there is no background cover, just add some. Those are 2 cedar tops I cut out of our yard and wired them to a small oak tree behind the blind, which is directly behind my back when I draw my bow.
(http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww146/mohunter68/NaturalGroundBlind002.jpg)
View of the inside. I added a small board crosswise over the top rail/saplings as a shelf to set my call on when a turkey comes, and also for my video camera and small tripod. I've gotten 1 kill on video so far by myself this way.
(http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww146/mohunter68/NaturalGroundBlind004.jpg)
View from the blind looking up the hill/logging road where the deer and turkey come from 80% of the time.
(http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww146/mohunter68/NaturalGroundBlind007.jpg)
(http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww146/mohunter68/NaturalGroundBlind008.jpg)
Good looking blind there...
nice setup.
TTT
I just sit up against a tree bigger than me, in the shade on a comfortable cushion, no blind building for me IMO that stands out unless you do it a long time in advance.
ASAT camo and practice shooting from a seated position with my bow canted parallel to the ground. Its a lot different way to shoot. I have killed a lot of whitetails and passed many more doing this simple technique.
I prefer to use natural blinds. I may spruce these up if needed during the off season. One of my absolute favorites is hunting in stands of river cane. I have had deer (and coyotes) look right at me from 10 yards away and pay me no attention whatsoever. As has been said, cover behind you is just as, if not more, important that what is in front of you. Also try using the shadows to your advantage when you can.
Movement is critical, when you do move you have to be slow and methodical. Avoid eye contact with the animal and of course play the wind.
What I spent time doing this past weekend was sprucing up my ground blinds with the branches from an artificial Christmas tree. A hand full of zip ties and the end result is a very natural looking ground blind. If you don't have such a tree laying around the basement you can probably get a pick up load at your local thrift center for a very reasonable price.
Great stuff guys. Thanks again!!
Here in the Northeast, my favorite camouflage since 1986...ASAT. Also Brown Predator, Brown Woodland or Desert Camo. You need to blend in with the surroundings.
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/e2e35aeb-0380-4a95-b537-90502690f136_zps49ef9067.jpg) (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/sf1oak/media/e2e35aeb-0380-4a95-b537-90502690f136_zps49ef9067.jpg.html)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/P6240007.jpg) (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/sf1oak/media/P6240007.jpg.html)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/scan0004.jpg) (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/sf1oak/media/scan0004.jpg.html)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/P7090002_zpsb29799cd.jpg) (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/sf1oak/media/P7090002_zpsb29799cd.jpg.html)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/PB290008.jpg) (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/sf1oak/media/PB290008.jpg.html)
You wouldn't believe the funny looks I get here in South Alabama when I mention to folks that I hunt on the ground. Nothing wrong with treestands but I've never been comfortable in one if it's over 10 ft.
Got tired of luggin em in and out and I like the versatility of hunting on the round. Last 37 years I've hunted on the ground 80% of the time.
So 5 years ago I sold all my stands. Deer down here look up a lot when they approach food plots or areas where hunters use treestands a lot.
Scent control only matters downwind...let an area be if the wind is not completely in your favour...there will be another time when it is...and this year I am going to follow my own advice for a change
DDave
I'll often take pruners/saw/natural twine along on my off-season scouting trips. That way I can build ground blinds in promising places to go back to during the season. If I should never get back there, using natural hemp twine and natural materials allows the blind to breakdown naturally.
Ive made every mistake on the ground but it can be rewarding.
Good advise here from ground thumpers.
A couple things Id like to add or X2 on are these.
1.Background more than fore ground. Minimal cover in front but lots behind you
2. Try and get a spot where the deers sight is obstructed from your draw. Maybe a bush or tree.
I like to add some brush on the ground in front of me (on deer trail) and add some curiosity scent on the ground
The deer lowers head to small the ground and their eyes are behind the brush.
Anyway good luck!
I've had some luck with using ditches and low spots as ambush hides. Doesn't work well in FL since most low spots are full of water, but for you guys that live in places that are actually fit for human habitation, it might work.
What seat do you recommend? I've heard mixed reviews on the huntmore 360 and the Waltrop seems a little bulky
Concentrate on your back cover, with whatever is in front of you for cover about a 3rd or half the height of your back drop. Dont cramp yourself....design your blind so that you have at least an arms length to the front wall when you are in the blind and at full draw.
Rake the floor of the blind to the bare ground! This is very important!
Have something soft to kneel on, should you need to kneel down.
Have a bow hanger/holder at your disposal...in perfect position.
Have a noiseless spot to place other gear, such as packs, rattles, binos....
Build your blind with latex or nitrile gloves on....and bring several pair, as the get torn.
Remember if you use branches with foliage on them or pine needles, they will start to fall off. So build thick. If broad leaves, make sure that if they have a lighter colored side....that that side is down, so that it blends better. Ive always thought that too many of those upside down leaves would make the blind appear lighter in contrast....thus a visiual becon for animals.
Try to keep track of wind trends for a given spot. You may need to build 2 blinds in that general location to work around wind changes. Ive taken this approach and on more than one occasion, was very glad I did! If I would have been in the other blind, I would have been on the wrong side of the wind!
And dont forget..... "Be Vewy Vewy" Kwiet... :rolleyes: :laughing:
The place I hunt most of the time has a stand of big cedars close to the house. Before I head in the woods I'll walk up in one and twist around until I break some needles. I can smell that cedar sap on me all day hunting. Cheaper than cover scent and our woods are full of cedars. Just one more trick.
all the above for me especailly in the last 6 years the ASAT and Predator camo has made huge differance. Quick example, this was initially a recon hunt, long, long walk.
I came up on a hill top one morning and knew a corn field was on the edge of it. I took my seat and sat down in front of two 8" tree's (nothing else around, could see through for 50 yards). Right at first light, gave a few grunts. About 20 minutes later corner of eye seen movement from field, a buck about 150 class. He came in 20 yards quartering to me and browsed. Then walked slowly to 15 yards turned broadside walking to go down hill. There was nothing (I mean nothing) between me and him. I figure what the heck and went with the moment, I turned slowly, came up and drew. He took off after the shaft passed through and 3 hours later was in my truck. A week later it warmed up, had on another more POPULAR camo, sitting in same spot, had 3 different deer come in seperatly and all spotted me 30 yards away. This sold me.
I use three different seats. I like my Huntmore, works great and I use mine a lot. Only complaints I would have are weight, it is a bit on the heavy side if you have to hike in a long ways, and it is not the most rapid to set up if you are moving alot. In the terrain I hunt the wind can shift a lot during the course of a day so I tend to move alot.
I also have a Big Jims Ground seat and I like it in some situations. If I know I will be moving a lot or only hunting 3-4 hours for the day I will take this seat.
Probably my favorite is my Hammock Seat. Very comfortable, easy to move from place to place and it weighs in at under 2 lbs. It is also infinitely adjustable regarding height and it is very cost effective. I have these at Simply Traditional and they are one of my best sellers, you can read more here: Simply Traditional - Hammock Seat (http://www.simplytraditional.net/products-page/blinds-chairs/fanatic-outdoors-hammock-seat/)
Sorry I missed your post above - I actually just ordered a hammock seat last night. Looking forward to trying it and ground hunting this year.
QuoteOriginally posted by DaveT1963:
Sorry I missed your post above - I actually just ordered a hammock seat last night. Looking forward to trying it and ground hunting this year.
No worries, you will love it! When you get ready to buy another, please keep me in mind!
Hammock Seat is very comfy. I used one in Kansas last year. The only complaint I had was that it failed on me the first time in the woods. The fabric came out from around the fastener on the pole. I weigh much less than the rated 350 lbs too. I'm gun shy on buying another one but I will vouch for the ease of set up and how comfortable it is!
I use knee pads most of the time and sit kinda behind/to the side of large trees.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/Hunting%202012/P1010362-2.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/rjwalton8/media/Hunting%202012/P1010362-2.jpg.html)
if you always fall asleep when on the ground get into the habit of waking up by not moving anything and opening only one eye at a time, please follow instructions from someone who has snored in many deer..
upon waking sit motionless (no twitching, or farting or trying to get feeling back into the leg that fell asleep) peel right eye lid open very slowly while eye ball is rolling back and fourth scanning that whole right side area, after right eye is fully open and still blurry from the nap,, begin slowly opening left eye while rolling that eye around doing the same as the right eye,,,,,,, once both eyes are open and you determined best you could through the blurry vision that there is no DEER standing there starring at you! you can continue rolling both eyes around at the same time while thinking about how tired you are,,,, move the legs and arms that fell asleep and are now needles and pins torture to a better position then drift back off to sleep and do it all over again when something else wakes you, or if its getting close to lunch time wrap it up.
My hunting buddy Bamboo built me this home made Torges seat with a few "improvements". Really like the easy setup and carries nice on my fanny pack or Catquiver.
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/003_zpsb9022818.jpg) (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/sf1oak/media/003_zpsb9022818.jpg.html)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/002_zps95100597.jpg) (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/sf1oak/media/002_zps95100597.jpg.html)
Best I have found right here,,
http://www.turkeyhuntingsecrets.com/store/images/niftyseat175.jpg
I like the Nif-T-Seat, but I modified mine by added 2" foam and fabric over the foam with tabs that can be pulled tight. The foam adds comfort, aids in sitting still.
Keep the wind in your face and the sun at your back when possible. I fertilize an Oak tree close to my stand, it's the best feeder in the world. I have had great success using leafy camo on the ground.
I like to scout my surrounding State lands for areas being worked by mature bucks. This involves a lot of walking up and down hills. I carry only my bow and back quiver, water and a fanny pack with needed items. If I find an area I want to hunt, I simply stand in front of a good sized tree and watch with my eyes. Clearing the ground below my feet is the only preparation. I can stand still much longer than I can sit. Very effective way to bow hunt if you can "stand it"
QuoteOriginally posted by Knawbone:
I like to scout my surrounding State lands for areas being worked by mature bucks. This involves a lot of walking up and down hills. I carry only my bow and back quiver, water and a fanny pack with needed items. If I find an area I want to hunt, I simply stand in front of a good sized tree and watch with my eyes. Clearing the ground below my feet is the only preparation. I can stand still much longer than I can sit. Very effective way to bow hunt if you can "stand it"
Now would you call that "stand hunting"? :laughing:
Yes, " Tree stand hunting" :bigsmyl:
ttt
ChuckC
I always enjoy these threads. Lots of good information.
This may have already been said but here go's.
Try to use any fallen tree that's near a trail or funnel that has been there for some time cause deer or game are already used to it being there...I slowly add fallen limbs each time I use that blind to help brush it if needed...Prune back your shooting lanes early before the season if you can and use the pruned limbs as well and face the shiny leaves to the front and stick in the ground ....I always try to find a big oak with a "Y" shape and hide in that "V" section cause in most cases you have plenty of back cover and some in the front...
If you feel too open in the front you can carry some camo fabric and dress the front using zip ties,string,bunjie straps or camo duct tape...
Get a good seat like a Huntmore 360 if you can afford it and pack a lunch and sit all day...
Take a gallon jug to "P" in if you go a lot like me...As Eric has already said two on each side of a trail is better if the wind changes on you...Always keep the wind in your face and have a piece of thin string tied to a limb nearby that you can watch incase the wind decides to change ... Enjoy the time in your new "Fort"...
I get a kick out of the pics you guys post of your blinds in the woods. Yalls woods look like our yards here where we live. Our woods are so thick you have a hard time finding places you can walk through them at.Any openings you can find to walk will be complete with a big crab shell spider web and a copperhead or rattlesnake on the ground,lol.We have vines of all sorts, catbriars, bullis vines,blackberry vines, and the areas that dont have vines are nicely carpeted with poison oak. Seriously, its a whole different world than the woods up north.The good thing is, it makes it easy to fix a ground blind and it for sure will not look out of place. I rarely even have to do much building, you just find where you want to set up and trim a few things out of the way and your good to go.I have to do more work clearing out a shooting lane than i do building a blind. This is a great thread, yall keep it up!
Stay out of the low ground in the evenings. Sent has a tendency to pool up as the air cools.