Ok, I've done a search and found all kinds of recommendations for hunting seats/stools but, what I want to know is, how many have actually had success harvesting while using one not inside of a blind? Natural cover blind is ok. :D
Also, how many have gotten it done using a 68" longbow?
Had a yote less than 3' from me in Texas, it looked passed me 3 times and he never busted me, gave me a broadside shot @ about 18 yds. I blew it. It was worth every minute !
How about a 64" longbow at 11 yds?
Stool is under her head...
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/SANY1212.jpg) (http://s32.photobucket.com/user/kennym/media/SANY1212.jpg.html)
QuoteHad a yote less than 3' from me in Texas, it looked passed me 3 times and he never busted me, gave me a broadside shot @ about 18 yds. I blew it. It was worth every minute !
That still counts as a success to me!
Kenny: Thanks, that's what I'm looking for. I've got a couple of areas to possibly hunt and one of them has a pretty good trail from feeding to bedding. I was thinking of putting a stool above the trail with the wind in my face and see if I can connect. Lots of trees around so, cover should pretty good. I'm just concerned about the 68" longbow I'll be using. :rolleyes:
I've also done it several times but with a 60 inch recurve. I've used a Hammock seat, a Nif-t-y seat and a 5 gallon bucket. The Hammock seat is more comfortable, the Nif-t-y seat is more versatile and a 5 gallon bucket is for my "permanent" sets. I've also missed lots of deer from the ground. I tend to rush some shots because you ain't got much of a "window of opportunity" to execute the shot without being seen. Practice shooting from the "set arm position" so as to reduce as much movement as possible. My second largest deer I have ever taken with a bow (9 pointer) was at 12 steps two years ago from natural cover. It ain't nothing like getting eye-level at close range to get the old juices flowing! :eek:
For years now that's all I've hunted from. I have taken a number of deer and turkey from natural blinds using this method. (nut) :bigsmyl:
Taken a 6 point and a 7 point from a huntmore 360 seat ...The 6 point was 5 yards away and the 7 was 12 yards away...I also got a 1/2 rack carrying only 3 points at 12 yards but that was using no seat just kneeling on the ground...All those were killed useing what was natural in the area...Mostly downed trees and using any down timber,branch's etc...
I have used them a lot over the years for deer and elk ambush spots. If I'm not still hunting I will more likely be on a stool. Most of my deer and elk have come off a stool.
I haven't scored with it yet but picked up a Huntmore 360 last fall and will say it is the most comfortable I have ever been in a natural ground blind. It works great for shooting in the yard so I don't see why it won't be great when actually hunting.
As someone with a bad back, the 360 chair let me hunt a lot longer than all of the buckets and stools I've had before.
While stationed on Guam last year I had the opportunity to take 7 pigs and four of them were from a small folding stool/chair while sitting under a Mango tree in the dense jungle.
I bought a cheap 3 legged folding stool with the cloth seat and a high back at dicks for like $20 ... I do use it inside a blind, but I see no reason it wouldn't work without a blind ... I can't see spending a ton of money on hunting stuff ....
I was using a Torges style seat when I shot the buck in my avatar. Actually, I did stand for the shot. He was coming in on the opposite side I was predicting that he would. Turkeys had spotted me but it took them a while to get edgy enough to bug out. A doe had spotted me but she came in from the direction the turkeys had left and was looking for trouble. It was a last light when I shot him, quite a while after the doe took off. He was very relaxed and never saw it coming.
So is there a favorite type stool/seat or just something one could find around town or at a garage sale? I need a better seat than a camp chair.
Yup... killed a whitetail last season at 12 yards off a little folding seat. Have had deer within two yards at times. Getting drawn on them is the challenge! :-)
NOPE... :thumbsup:
i plan to try hunting from the ground a lot this year. my back is telling me it's time to get out of the trees more.
Thanks for all the replies everyone. I am seriously contemplating giving this a try. I had to sell my tree stand last year so, looking for an alternative.
20 years ago I broke my back. After surgery and rehab I was able to walk again but not good enough to use a tree stand.. I made a hunting seat out of a wood bar stool, I cut the legs to a seat height of 21 inchs, I added back straps to carry it to woods.. I took lots of deer and hogs sitting on that stool. I would use a pair of shears to make a natural ground blind..it worked for me but you have to be Choosey and hunt the thick stuff..
A couple of fat trees to block your outline is all that is needed for deer. Sit in front of the trees. Don't look at the critters eyeballs. Then when it is time to shoot, don't dilly dally, take a smooth rather quick shot. That is why I advocate a Hill style shooting form. Smooth and fluid form will work better than a tall static slower shooting tempo.
With a ghillie suit, some hunting savy and patience all things are possible. From ten feet even.
ChuckC
Last 2 deer have been from the ground with natural cover. One at 15 yards and the other at 6 yards.
From the 2012 season, both taken with a 70" Northern Mist Classic longbow -
(http://i.imgur.com/y73ns.jpg)
Fat litte 8 point, taken at 8 yards, using a ground hunters seat from Big Jims.
Also from 2012 first opportunity I had on this buck was at about 10 yards but he turned before I could loose an arrow, second opportunity was at 23 yards. Also using the Big Jim's seat!
(http://i.imgur.com/T97uX.jpg)
This year I will be using a Hammock Seat and a Huntmore
Wow, thanks for all the replies. I am glad to see that it can be done, especially with a longer bow. I went out on a limb and bought the Barronett TreeLax Strap - on Tree Seat for $24.98 shipped from Sportsmans Guide. Excited to give it a try!
(http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q506/ORShooter1/p7590018dt1_zps3af547d4.jpg) (http://s1161.photobucket.com/user/ORShooter1/media/p7590018dt1_zps3af547d4.jpg.html)
Obviously, I will need to take it to the woods, strap it on, plant my seat and practice shooting from it. That escapade will follow as soon as my bow arrives.
(http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m252/danrudman/best2007NDdeer-1_zps12479ef6.jpg) (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/danrudman/media/best2007NDdeer-1_zps12479ef6.jpg.html)
I really enjoy hunting this way. The stool is typically very low for me- even digging holes for the legs. I want to be able to slip to my left knee and shoot off of it(right hand shooter). I also like deer to come from behind or off my left shoulder. I like just little holes so I can glimpse the deer coming and slowly get positioned as he walks into a small shooting lane.
This buck was shot at 6-7 yards in marsh grass- or a slough as they call them up in ND. He came in at 11 o'clock position rubbing a tree straight in front of me. I always carry pruners and had made a small ground blind with cover in front of me too. As he was distracted I hunkered down behind the blind "wall." Imagine me with both knees on the ground and bent right down with my bow in front me in a vertical position. As soon as he stepped away from the tree and turned his head to watch a doe behind him- I rose up and drew in one motion. Zip!
I really think ASAT and Predator Brown are killing equipment. I rarely have deer even look at me twice.
Dan that's an impressive buck! So, having the deer come from behind would be better than having them come in from the front?
I like to sit with my back to a tree looking over my left shoulder. I wait for the deer to come from my rear left or left and walk by me. In the case of this photo the deer came almost in front of me. I usually do not like that. . . my saving moment was that the deer was so fixated on making a rub. If he would have had his head up looking, he would have looked right into my eyes. . . at 6 yds. Yikes.
We have been out of the tree seat for some time, but I have spoke with the builder and he assured me that we will have some soon.
I used mine extensively in Kansas this past week as we did the run and gun...run and bow rather.
It was sweet! I don't do so well sitting straight on the ground as my legs tend to go to sleep. This allowed me to be off the ground and able to rotate as necessary. Combined with the Bush-N-A-Bag, this seat allowed me several opportunities on Birds.
I have tried a bunch of seats and this one is a winner. Priced right too.
bigjim
Forgot to say, my shot was at 7 yds.
I can't count the number of pigs I've shot sitting on a chair in the brush. You just have to have good camo, good back cover, and be real patient.
Bisch
Bisch: I'm assuming that a good tree bark camo would be the way to go? Or more of a green to blend in with the surrounding brush?
I have taken a few critters from one of those tripod stools, but I bought a chair with a back for next season. My old bones get stiff without a backrest, so the chair will be a plus. I got the Double Bull; portable and much more comfortable than a backless stool.
QuoteOriginally posted by Wannabe1:
Bisch: I'm assuming that a good tree bark camo would be the way to go? Or more of a green to blend in with the surrounding brush?
Personally I would say not to worry too much about a specific pattern, so long as it breaks up your outline. To be honest you don't really need "camo", plaid works well as does anything with a varying pattern or shades of color. You could also make your own ghillie suit which is the ultimate garment for a ground hunter IMHO.
Steve, once again I thank you for the knowledge. I was thinking of looking into the ghillie suit. Most likely would only use the upper part to help break up my form. Where does one get the netting to make something like that?
QuoteOriginally posted by Wannabe1:
Steve, once again I thank you for the knowledge. I was thinking of looking into the ghillie suit. Most likely would only use the upper part to help break up my form. Where does one get the netting to make something like that?
I am currently making my own using an old leafy suit I picked up several years ago on closeout. There are several decent articles online about making your own. Do a google search for "make your own ghillie suit" and you should find several good articles and even a video.
A cheap quick hot weather ghillie for sitting would be about a 3'x3' piece of fish net with strips of cotton old camo shirts tied in. Not thick but have them long with the knots on top to make it look un even. cut a hole in the middle and to arm slits in it once you figure out where they need to be for a shot. I believe deer pick out you head. Never asked one but when I don`t have something under my hat to shoulder I seem to get busted more.RC
Thanks RC. I'm looking into that right now as my early season is quite warm. :thumbsup:
Yep Jason and I have taken a bunch of pigs with our stools, ghillies and curves.
Mike
All of the deer I have harvested in the past 15 years have been from a set up similar to this, with a 70" longbow.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f196/jjeffer/Lastditchblind.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/jjeffer/media/Lastditchblind.jpg.html)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f196/jjeffer/100_2624_zpsc617a83a.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/jjeffer/media/100_2624_zpsc617a83a.jpg.html)
I have been hunting from the ground the majority of the time the past two years. Success or not, there is just something about hunting from the ground that I truly enjoy. This fall I plan on doing a little more work on establishing some natural ground blind setups as well as wearing my ghille suit.
I agree with RC. I suggest you also make yourself a ghillie-like hat. Look at Terry's and see, but I would alter that a bit too, so the sides hang down a bit covering the side of your head and blending into your shoulders. I would wear that even with just plaids or camo (not ghillie).
Those of us living on the water have seen long billed fishing hats with a piece that hangs over and protects the neck. One like that, without a big bill, would be a good start.
ChuckC
Hunting from a stool. Actually a very small folding chair from Walmart. (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/oklahomagroundstandlong.jpg)
Torges tree seat. Very portable and quick/quiet set up. (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/elkpondwait.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/onstand.jpg)
Listen to Charlie! The ground and a seat is where its at. Camo matters some, but it is movement that busts you. Of course where I hunt, if you want to climb a tree, it will be a telephone pole - LOL.
I have shot quite a few whitetails from a stool in natural ground blinds most of them at under 15 yards. I actually shot two does from the same stool/blind in one morning about two years ago. In 2011 I hunted bears using a stool and natural ground blinds. I had 3 different bears inside 5 yards from me including the bear that I shot which is pictured below. Not only is hunting form stools on the ground effective but it is an absolute adrenaline rush blast!!!
Evidently there have been some recent changes to photobucket so I am not sure how to post the pic. The following is a link to a post I did about my hunt which has pictures of the bear and the natural ground blind that I shot it from.
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=105045;p=1
Thank you all for the tips, comments and inspirations! I am now in the active planning of something along the lines of a ghillie garment. My wife will be helping out with it so, keep an eye out in the future for that development.
Ive been Blessed to have been successful from the ground, so ill just throw my 2 cents worth in.
In my opinion camo is important, but not nearly as important as having good back cover and playing the shadows of the woods.
Deer will pick up on movement but that is somewhat neutralized by having good back cover and having shadows in your favor, move slow and move based on the deers head position and its ability to see you move.....OHHHHH and expect to be busted, because it happens to all us ground hunters. Hunting from the ground is like playing Chess with the deer having the upper hand but there are times when your pieces will all be in the right position and you will get a
" Check Mate".
Dont let hunting from the ground intimidate you, grab your stool or tree seat and go gettum killer!
i have posted this picture before. i love this photo. i was sitting on a little 3 leg folding chair. light weight and ties to my back pack really easy. i was walking through the woods that morning and when i saw this fallen tree and brush around it i knew that was my spot.
(http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a411/johnwhitten/longbow3d.jpg) (http://s1033.photobucket.com/user/johnwhitten/media/longbow3d.jpg.html)
(http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a411/johnwhitten/longbow3b.jpg) (http://s1033.photobucket.com/user/johnwhitten/media/longbow3b.jpg.html)
here was my shooting lane right in front of me
(http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a411/johnwhitten/Longbow3.jpg) (http://s1033.photobucket.com/user/johnwhitten/media/Longbow3.jpg.html)
Here is a pic of the area I'll be hunting in. Blending in won't be a problem I don't think. I agree with the back ground cover.
(http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q506/ORShooter1/101_0115_zps3887e443.jpg) (http://s1161.photobucket.com/user/ORShooter1/media/101_0115_zps3887e443.jpg.html)
John, those are awesome pics. It must have been nice to find that fallen tree with a great shooting lane like that. Have you hunted that spot more than once?
Something not mentioned(I think) is the deer aren't keyed in on your position as much anyway.
Or in my case anyway, because it is easy to set up a quickie ground blind each hunt, whereas if I hang a stand, I will typically hunt it a dozen times a season.
A mature animal will know when you have been to the same location several times. That is why your first hunt in a spot is usually your best chance to kill a big deer.
That's my .02, yer mileage may vary...
Thanks Kenny. I think I much prefer to move it around a bit myself. Most of my deer sightings and close calls have been moving so, moving my position each time out will help. The area has lots of trees and several locations to hunt from. Going up this weekend to scout it some more.
no but i will be back there this fall
Wannabe1, if you are going to the area, try and do some "starter" ground blinds in hot areas. If you do some of the work now, you are not changing a buck's "living room" right before a hunt. And smell is long gone.
Thanks Robert, that is a smart way of thinking. I'll take my small pack saw along and do just that. :thumbsup:
QuoteOriginally posted by Wannabe1:
Bisch: I'm assuming that a good tree bark camo would be the way to go? Or more of a green to blend in with the surrounding brush?
Like said above, the pattern does not really matter as long as your outline is broken up. I am a real fan of leafyflage anytime I am not in a blind.
Bisch
Do to a Back injury Yrs ago I Do Almost All my Hunting onthe ground. When I first started the Deer where so programed to tree stands that I Had Several Deer At under 5 yrds. They where all looking up for tree stands.
My first with a trad bow was off a stool on the ground (no blind). I also killed a few in my compound days the same way. The last couple of years, I've mostly been hunting out of a treestand, but I'm getting a little tired of the pain in the butt that thing is lugging around and threatening to kill me. Might go back to the stool or tree seat this year.
(http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae23/jsweka/CAM_0534.jpg)
Mostly hunt from the ground, but threw out the stools a few years ago. Most stools put you at eye level with deer. My favorite stools are the short legged turkey seats or you can hack a few inches off a wooden stool.
Wind was wrong for the stand I was to hunt at SOlana last year so John Shepard and I hacked a blind out of the interior branches of a cedar tree that was downwind. I sat on a black feedbucket and had does and yearlings all over me. I ended up killing a pig from that setup later in the evening. Perfect cover and concealment.
Thanks, this is some great information, thanks for sharing. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
I have killed many deer hunting from a swivel seat that I wear on my back until needed. Makes it easier to find a good area and stay as motionless as possible. However my bows are mostly in the 58" and 60" range. Could not make the shot with the Game Master. Spooked the several does and bucks that were bedding down around me. Exciting and memorable.