Fun with the Ghillie suit.

jonsimoneau · November 03, 2011, 08:29:00 AM

I am not a ground hunter. In fact, I have only killed one deer on the ground with a bow. The reason is that I spend 99.9% of my time in a treestand. Last year, I realized the numerous opportunities I was missing out on by not considering hunting on the ground for whitetails.
I bought a Ghillie suit, and have been using it more than I thought I would. Two nights ago, I was sitting over a small waterhole on the side of a steep ridge, because it was very hot and dry where I was hunting. Just before dark I passed up two pretty nice bucks at under 5 yards! Both of them offered me quartering away shots with their heads down drinking water. What a rush!

non-typical · November 03, 2011, 08:34:00 AM

First time I used a Ghillie I sat along a trail and had a coyote come within sniffing distance before he switched ends and left. Talk about fun! I agree they are great to use.

DannyBows · November 03, 2011, 07:02:00 PM

I've got 4 days off next week, and if I can get my transportation straightened out, I'll be trying out my new Bush Rag Bowhunter Ghillie.

Big Ed · November 03, 2011, 07:12:00 PM

Good stuff Jon

Red Tailed Hawk · November 03, 2011, 07:28:00 PM

Them Ghillie's Work well

The Night Stalker · November 03, 2011, 08:55:00 PM

This year is my first of 37 yrs bowhunting to use a ghillie(shaggy suit). I still am surprized how well they work. I use mine with a nifty seat. You can walk right up to squirrels. Without it, they see you from 50yards and run.

Mike Vines · November 03, 2011, 08:56:00 PM

What ghillie did you buy?

8leg-lover · November 03, 2011, 09:04:00 PM

I shot a doe a couple years ago at 4 yards head on wearing my ghillie. It was real windy and I didn't draw on her til she was about six yards. I was waiting for her to turn one way or the other but she never did. I figured at 4 steps even I could pull it off. She stopped and watched me as I drew my bow. I guess she just thought that the "bush" in front of her was blowing in the wind. The rest as they say is history.

landman · November 03, 2011, 09:11:00 PM

I have a leafy asat cover suit but I ordered the Marc Anthony bow hunting jacket this morning. I like the trees but I want to give it a go on some of this rugged ground. Should be fun, regardless of whether or not I take an animal.

Jim Rocole · November 04, 2011, 09:37:00 AM

the plus of a ghillie is you can hunt areas that you never thought was possible. 5 yrs ago in Iowa I used it exclusively because it always seems that the deer were is areas without trees that would hold as treestand. Had great success on field edges because of low brush. Since moving to WI i have gone back to tree stands but have decided to finish the season on the ground. I own some land that is all blueberry swamp and small pine. The trees for stands are limited and away from trails. I have been fortunate to kill several deer at under 10 yds with the ghillie. Definitely more of a thrill for me than taking one from a tree. The only thing I don't like is I know there are deer that go by that I would have seen from a tree but with every method there is a downside.

Footed Shaft · November 04, 2011, 10:13:00 AM

Lets see some pictures of everyone ghillie's in action. I am thinking i would like to hunt more from the ground in the future and a ghillie will make it easier to hide from prying eyes. So post them pictures up boys and girls

Bill

Steve D · November 04, 2011, 11:07:00 PM

Jon, glad your fast earning your ground hunting apprenticeship stay at it,its not only a rush, but at times has it advantages.I just got my "set"today, will give a try later this week after doing some practice shooting with it on. I see that Marc A killed another nice one Halloween morn with his ghille.

November 05, 2011, 12:35:00 AM

I got my wife a Ghillie poncho. She has had other hunters walk within twenty yards of her and not see her. I tested in the back yard. Birds that come to my feeders landed on me, I had on the Ghillie bag which is suppose to double as a head net. I was sitting in a lawn chair with my back against berry bushes and I called to my neighbor, "Mel, help me." He charged past me and ran into my garage. So I called "Oh god it hurts, help me." He ran into my house and then around me again to the back of my garage. when he came by the third time I stood up. As I have said before, he screams like a girl. I am not so sure that I want to make deer hunting that easy. what am I saying, I am going to use it next week on an all day sit on my huntmore chair. style hunt.

jonsimoneau · November 05, 2011, 12:40:00 AM

Yea guys. The suit I bought is the one that Marc Anthony helped design. Marc is a very successfull bowhunter from Illinois who hunts exclusively from the ground. I really like the suit he made. Very light weight, and comfortable, and the deer simply do not notice me.

FarmerMarley · November 05, 2011, 12:50:00 AM

Ah man, ever since I was a kid I have wanted to get a ghillie suit or make my own.

Sounds like so much fun!

Anyone have any success stories using them on turkeys?