Question for the ground hunters

[KyRidgeRunner]

So the idea of harvesting a deer at eye level sounds exciting, and I would love to try it.  My question is are you guys standing before shooting or do you have a seat that gets you high enough off the ground to shoot while sitting?  I'm sure this has been covered but I've read several ground hunter post and I've not heard anyone say for sure.

[AkDan]

I've shot one sitting flat on my tail at 5 steps, bow just about horizontal.  I was home for a funeral and needed some alone time.  Had a giant spike come in, no chance at moving.  Dunno how in sam heck I even hit full draw but I did and held before shooting. I did see the deer coming a few seconds before he cleared my shooting lane though I didn't expect it that close.

The least amount of movement the better!  They wont allow you too much leeway imho.  If you're not in a pop up blind of some kind you can easily make one or find one possibly already in the woods that needs little modifications.  Obviously the better concealed the more movement you can get away with.

[stalkin4elk]

Don't overthink it. Stand, sit, or kneel depending on terrain and cover. Practice all shooting positions to be ready. You get busted by movement upon drawing the most assuming wind is correct. Versatility is part of the fun.

[DeCurry]

+1 on practicing from various sitting, kneeling (one knee, both knees) and standing positions.

As for sitting, I use a Niff-t-seat in my ground blinds if I'm sitting on a chair; otherwise, I sit on the ground in such a way that I can draw and shoot with little to no movement (usually with one leg tucked back so I can rotate my body side-to-side for aiming/canting the bow more if needed). I don't recommend sitting crosslegged or in similar positions that aren't conducive to shooting a bow -- every time I stop, whether standing or sitting, I'm always thinking of how to position myself so I can shoot with as little movement as possible. Even glassing; I've had deer suddenly appear inside 5-yards from me while I was dorking around with my binoculars trying to look 100+ yards away at where I thought the deer were.

[Jerry Jeffer]

I use a torges style seat, sitting only a few inches (3-6) off the ground. I shoot a 70" long bow, and I shoot from my sitting position. If you try standing up, you will be busted.

[stujay]

I prefer to be standing using whatever cover is available. One does need patience because my experience is most times it doesn't work out...but it's sure fun when it does!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I tend to get busted when standing and I find it more difficult to stay still.

I prefer to shoot while standing but have learned my chances of getting a shot (for me) is to stay seated.

[dbd870]

I stay seated; I've found no difference in shooting seated (from a stool) or standing.

[ChuckC]

I think a standing silhoutte is more "manlike", unless you are in a ghillie.

I shoot sitting mostly, when ground hunting, however my recent doe was taken while standing.  I was out in the open, but behind terrain features so In spite of my standing, I was mostly eclipsed.
ChuckC

[Sirius Black]

I sit on a 5 gallon bucket.

[reddogge]

I sit but last year had to kneel forward to clear a tree.

[DaveT1963]

I have several ground set ups - hammock seat, waldrops and spot 360.  In most cases I prefer the hammock seat.  The spot 360 is nicest but it is a bit heavy at 11 pounds.

[Fletcher]

If possible, I'll get on my knees when something comes in, otherwise I'll shoot from the chair.  The odds of standing up and not being caught are mighty slim.  I use a Double Bull 3 leg chair.  It's not a Huntmore, but quite comfortable, quiet and affordable.

[KyRidgeRunner]

Thanks for the replies men.  I used to hunt from the ground when I was a kid with my dad but we only gun hunted.  When I posted this it took me back to a few deer that nearly stepped in my lap!  The more I think about it the more I wanna get an arrow in one at point blank range!

[joe skipp]

Like Jerry, I use the Torges Seat and all I do is slide off to a kneeling position.

[joe nichols]

I mostly stand hunt but when on the ground, I shoot froma knee.  I have a camo mesh that I got from walmart for $10 that I will make a mini blind with.  It helps hide lower body movement.

[todd smith]

I sit, much of the time with my legs under me so I can lean up and be on both knees. But if the sit is long, of course you shift and move to eliminate sleeping legs, etc.

If you're lucky enough to see the deer before they see you, ease into the most stable shooting position you can - wait for the shot - and take it.      

Todd  

[Bill Carlsen]

Both...sometimes they catch me standing and sometimes sitting. Once you can see them they can see you. So sitting or standing take your best shot in whatever predicament you find yourself. I prefer sitting. If my lower back is tight and I need to stand to loosen up (or to pee) I make sure my bow is handy with a nocked arrow. Today I am expecting the arrival of a new Shappell 360 chair. Should make a lot of things easier.

[two4hooking]

Whatever it takes....

[Looper]

I guess it really depends. I shot my last doe while standing, but bent at the waist. I was walking down the along a drainage ditch in a grown up field and happened to see a bunch of does before they saw me. I had no time to do anything, but to hide behind a clump of brush.  There were a lot of sticks around me, so kneeling would have made a lot of noise, so I just had to stand and bend over. I will say that I'm glad I practiced that shot.

Most of the time, though, if I prefer to sit, whether it's in my pacseat or NifT seat.