HUNTING FROM THE GROUND

[Charles Hoff]

#4066

Hey you all. How many of you all have changed from hunting in a tree to hunting from the ground. I used to hunt from a tree stand, however I’m going to stay on the ground this year. Give it a try. The deer season starts next month here in South Carolina and the snakes, bugs, etc are always challenging. I hope to use natural blinds. Any advice, tips etc. Thanks. 8)

[Donnie]

#26648

Charlie,

This may sound kinda funny to you… but I think it would be really cool to kill a deer or an elk from a tree stand! 😛

I have hunted from the ground all my life with great success. I simply use the natural cover that I have in my area. (I live in the Pacific Northwest.) One of my favorite set-ups it to find a Douglas Fir tree (one that is close to a game trail,) which has branches that hang to the ground. I simply back up into the branches, clear out a little spot inside, and hide in the dark branches. This is also great since it rains a lot here. You can go inside the heavy branches of a doug-fir and stay relatively dry.

I tried a tree stand a few years ago and really enjoyed it! I primarily hunt elk, which means I walk a lot!!! If a see a deer… GREAT… but I’m primarily out there for the elk. When I tried the tree stand… I saw a lot of neat things!!! AND!!! I wasn’t tired when I went home that night! 8)

Donnie

[Chris Shelton]

#26787

I have also hunted from the ground all my life, and I am determined to harvest a deer from a tree stand this year, I have intentions to donate a deer and my buddy need his property managed but doesnt have freezer room and neither do I, we tried getting some other guys to come over and harvest a couple of does but they were compound guys and they couldnt get it done like me or my buddy could have several times. Anyway I really want to hunt from a stand to widen my “I did this” list.
But to the guy who started this, my best advice is to go slow, most guys when on the ground, that is if you are walking, they blow on past stuff, you just need to take it slow and mabye even stop every once in a while, most of the time if you are walking on a trail or something the deer will just stand there and watch you walk by, you need to become one with nature. I have faith in you becuase you are a traditional bowhunter, we notice things that other types of hunters do not!!! Good luck this year! OO and if still hunting place yourself near funnels of trails just like hunting from a tree stand!

[heydeerman]

#26854

Ever try hunting standing corn??? My absolute favorite way to hunt.

On a day when a fella wouldn’t dream of getting in a tree stand is the perfect corn huntin day. Rain and wind are your ally. The windier the better. I am writing an article about my tactic and will publish in the Ohio Bowhunters Association’s website when I get it done.

[MontanaFord]

#28037

I’ve only ever gotten “above” the deer a couple times. Both times were while gun hunting. One was a “telephone pole” blind (a shack on a telephone pole) when I was 12…missed a doe with my rifle. Second time, I climbed a tree to shotgun hunt some slough crossings…didn’t see anything, but my butt fell asleep. I really don’t like being up off the ground when I’m hunting. I like my feet on the ground. It’s less distance to fall if you do happen to fall. Besides, any time you find yourself laying on the ground unintentionally, it seems to be painful.

Michael

[stickbow321]

#28369

Well I am mostly a treestand hunter. But I bought a blind this year. I plan on taking my 4 year old daugter out with me. I have tried hunting from the ground before. And I did see pleanty of deer. I guess I like to move around a little more, so I mostly use a tree stand.

[Don Thomas]

#28422

Readers in interested in doing more from the ground will be interested to learn that the magazine is starting to run a regular feature on ground hunting in every issue. This slot will be a mix of hunting stories and practical information, but should be helpful and entertaining for all. Look for it to start early next year. Best, Don

[heydeerman]

#29438

One thing I should note about myself and hunting on the ground that might help someone else. When I am in the woods and basically stand hunting on the ground in a natural ground blind or next to a tree, if I cannot stay comfortable I will move around way too much. If I have to stand too long I’ll go to the knees for a while, then the feet got to sleep and I go back up. If you are hunting in a natural or commercial blind get the most comfortable and easiest to use seat you can afford or make one that will work. If I am comfortable whether sitting or standing I move less. I have been picked off by deer several times just because I was uncomfortable and moving around.

[crash87]

#31851

Iv’e been a tree stand hunter up until 2004, As I was walking to my stand, I came upon a standing unwary doe and one that was bedded. It was completley excilarating to stalk into range, with no shot, then wait for the opportunity, if and and when it comes. You then stand there in disbelief as the deer does exactly what you want it to and then, the arrow finds it mark. Since then I’ve been able to do it one more time,2006, with my biggest buck ever, of course that was just icing on the cake. Anytime you can sneek up on one is an accomplishment even if you blow it. As a tree stand hunter for far to long, I cannot begin to explain to you the feelings one has when shooting off ones own hind feet on solid ground, you will have to find that out for yourself, good luck, but more impotantly have fun. Crash87

[IronCreekArcher]

#31874

I am looking at trying the ghillie suit route this year. When I lived in Montana I rarely got into a treestand but since moving to Michigan it seems thats all I do. I want to return to my ground hunting roots thus the decision to hunt from the ground this year. Keep the info coming guys…I am very interested in this thread.

[Mark Turton]

#32762

Hi IronCreekArcher

I’ve been using a ghillie for a few years and find them to be excellent, if you buy a commercial one they are mostly made for use with a rifle and have either a skid plate for crawling or the front is covered in scrim. Skid plate is of no advantage for an archer and scrim requires a lot of trimming across the front and along the bow arm. If you can find one that has the bare amount of scrim so you can add local and seasonal colour to it.
Light weight material is severely affected by wind causing a fluttering effect and anything longer than 4″ will magnify you movements dramatically.
If you are waiting in ambush putting a scrim net behind helps to make your silhouette difficult to distinguish.
I am just about to start making a new suit for this coming season and will use a long leafscreen jacket as the base adding died scrim and burlap. I favour a good mix of dark and light material to create as much depth as possible.
I have the jacket and will get some pictures as I go along if you think it might help with your choice.
Mark.

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