Anybody that ground hunts ever juststand next to a tree instead of sitting???Seems you would get a little better veiw??
I like to stand right in the middle of a split tree or a clump of 3 or four. Deer in my experience seem not to notice you as much as they would standing by a single tree. I seem to have plenty of deer come in close without noticing me. Standing upright and still for 3 hours is harder than it sounds though. Ha
If I'm sneaking around to a different spot I'll stand near a tree for a while. I've had deer close that never saw me and some that did, depending on which way they came in.
I alternate between sitting and standing. You get a different view each way. I'm almost always next to a tree.
I do both. I will sit but when prime time is approaching I always stand. I always try and set up with a large tree at my back and one in front of me. Moving in super slow motion is critical.
If stillhunting, I may rest against a tree but not for too long. Your more prone to have deer pick up your movement while standing. Along with slight head movement, you will be shifting around your bow arm, you'll have to slightly move away from the tree to get off a shot...plus bringing the bow up and drawing.
All the above will alert any smart deer. Your much better off hiding in a natural blind, either sitting or kneeling. Standing puts you more eye level with an approaching deer. What's going to break up your outline? Even if your behind a tree, you still have to move one side or the other to make your shot...with plenty of movement.
Just my opinion from ground hunting 44 yrs.... :nono:
I agree but would offer it also depends on the situation. For example here in Arizona when hunting in Junipers I often sit or kneel getting as close to ground level as possible so I can see the legs of approaching deer under the trees.
When I ground hunt, I first try and pick a big tree or clump of trees. I like to have some brush or blowdown in front of me. when gets to be prime moving time, I scan the area real well, then stand for the last 45 min or hour.
If i'm sitting,I like to be able to stand up without being detected cause sometimes the body needs to strech or feet gets cold etc...
I like the idea of standing in a clump of trees...working on my "motion discipline" though. I can stay still sitting, I tend to fidget when I'm on my feet.
I practice my shooting from my pac seat most of the time. I primarily set when I hunt. I'm actually more comfortable shooting from a setting position than I am standing. So with that said, I usually find a blow down or a clump of something to set in front of, with a little cover in front of me. I been busted more times than I care to remember just setting without cover behind me. I believe brush or a tree behind ya is more important than what is in front. getting close is not the problem for most guys, getting you bow drawn back is! Them ol doe's have educated me quite a few times! :D
Good hunting
Jason
When I use my Nifty seat or my strap on Grizzly, I try to set up in basswood or ash clusters of at least three larger trunks. I try to get to my feet when I hear deer coming, I do not think that they can see me as well in that scenario when I am on my feet. I cedar clumps I stay on the seat, usually my Huntmore, because a vertical figure shows up more then. A mature doe can see the tiniest motions, which is harder to keep from doing while standing for me, so I like to put the tip of my bow against a tree to make sure it is not moving if the deer get close.
Maybe it's my age but at 68 I find that sitting still is better than standing. Standing I am prone to moving, even though it may be small moves. Deer on my property move in wet areas and are not always easy to hear coming. Laura and I have been busted in tree stands this year by deer well within range who we never saw or heard coming and they simply saw us turn our heads. So, give me a comfortable stool and some brush or a big tree to sit in front of and I could do OK...at least it's worked well in the past. The closest shot I ever had was 3 yards from the ground. I was sitting in a clump of medium sized hemlocks that were growing in a semicircle. Perfect ambush spot as it turned out. All I had to do was raise my bow and shoot. The deer was so close I almost forgot to pick a spot and would have shot right over him.
You bet, sit, stand, lean, whatever it takes to get the shot off and see where the deer are. Sometimes I even get off the seat and get down on one knee to shoot that way.
The last buck I shot was while sitting however.
Bob.
Good advice here, I have only been ground hunting for a couple years now (always was a tree stand guy) but I seem to always get busted if standing.
Dan
I do not stand at all. It is just too tiring, and I can't be still.