so there I was, face to face with a nice 6 point!

doughboysigep · 10-17-2004, 05:24 PM

I know your odds for a deer are greatly increased when in a stand, but, man, bowhunting on the gound can sure be fun:

I had decided to do some in-season scouting (check some seasonal scape lines and other "stuff") and then sit on the ground. I was in an area with very low visibility (beech trees, briers, etc.) - maybe 20-30 yards max, not expecting to see anything, and was sitting under hemlock. After an hour I was engrained in my book (yes my book) and decided to look up and there he was, a nice 6. Oh, and he was 12 YARDS AWAY!!!. He was looking right at me, obviously the wind happend to be right. I figured I'd watch him until he spooked (I didn't even have an arrow nocked). He continued browsing, walking at me then turned broadside. His head was down and slightly the other way. I figured what the heck, I'll try to pick up the bow. So down goes the book, I grab the bow, get an arrow nocked, and hook the release - and he's still there! By now my heart is racing and I figure I may actually get a shot, when he looks up and right at me again. The arrow was quivering as I was shaking a bit. He looked for a few seconds, stomped twice, and off he went.

That was almost (maybe even better???) than actually getting a deer. All I know is that it was a lot of fun.

huntingheck69 · 10-17-2004, 05:48 PM

what you just described is exactly the reason why my favorite way to hunt is on the ground very exciting

doughboysigep · 10-18-2004, 05:21 AM

i hunt quite a bit on the ground also and have seen many deer that way (i've started making ground blinds from branches, tree, etc). actually have seen the 4 biggest bucks i've ever seen from the ground over the past 4 years or so, 2 when I was walking (got to within 30 yards or so on them and they never new I was there - never got a shot). it's really amazing how much the wind can do for you.

MassSeaWolves bowhunter · 10-18-2004, 07:48 PM

thats why i hunt from the ground all those close encounters good luck.

NY Bowhunter · 10-19-2004, 05:16 AM

Your book?? Bud we need to talk!

Hunting from the ground is pretty cool. I love being on the same level as the deer. Pretty good rush when(if) you get one coming close.

doughboysigep · 10-19-2004, 12:25 PM

Yep - a book.
I couldn't stay in the woods very long without one.
It's a good book too - - We Were Soldiers Once, And Young
3 days in the woods and i'm half done - be ready for the next one in another week or so.
Another war book most likely.

KS_Bowhunter · 10-19-2004, 12:36 PM

sounds like an exciting hunt!

KIDD642 · 10-19-2004, 12:46 PM

doughboy, I can share your excitement. I was lucky enough to harvest a doe from the ground this year, it was AWESOME! It really gets your heart pounding not knowing if you can go undetected AND pull off the shot. congrats on your encounter, that is what it is all about.

livbucks · 10-20-2004, 06:31 AM

Following is a recount of my hunt last Saturday. This is a copy of an email to a hunting friend of mine telling what happened to me.

Quote:

I went out Fri afternoon, got in the stand about 3:30. Wind was all wrong again, I don't know what's going on, weird weather I guess. I didn't see anything.
woke up about 4:00 am on Sat. Got to my dad's house about 5:15, met up with my younger Brother and the three of us headed out. It was a little blustery but not too bad. I was in my stand well before light, all situated and quiet. Still dark, I hear a loud aggressive grunt. My hopes soar. I sit there for a few hours and nothing developed. About 8:00 I hear some noise to my left and downhill so My attention is turned that direction. I watch that way for awhile and then just happen to look right. Out of nowhere, and catching me offguard is a buck standing right in my shooting lane to the right, AT 12 YARDS!. I did not see him come in. he must have come out of the thick stuff in front of me. He has a huge body and is a very pretty dark almost chocolate colored brown. I knew right away he wasn't the monster I had been seeing but he is a TEN POINT!. A beautiful 2.5 year old with wide spread (My guess 17 inch). Longest point about 7 inches. Very good rack for his age, although kinda spindly and thin. At first thought I decide to let him walk. He turns to face me and looks directly in my eyes and walks CLOSER! He is now at 10 yards and staring into my eyes. He does this for about ten minutes without looking away. I remain totally still and slowly squint my eyes because they are starting to burn. To my surprise he decides I'm no threat and turns around and walks away. He gets about 18 yards out and turns broadside and begins to feed. At this point I can't resist (who am I to pass on a ten point)and slowly stand and aim. He looked bigger walking away. I settle the pin on his ribs and let fly. He hears my release and reacted instantly, drawing his legs up for launch. He ducked so low I don't know how he didn't fall on the ground. I have heard of deer doing this but never had it happen to me. My arrow whizzed right over his back and stuck in the ground. He was gone. I guess he was still tense from the stare down and went off like a hair trigger, ducking my arrow. I sit in the stand for a half hour replaying the scene. I still can't believe it. I can't stand it anymore so I get down to retrieve the arrow. Part of me almost believes that I possibly did hit him and had a passthru. I get the arrow and it is clean, except for the wet dirt on the business end. I get back in the stand and think about it for a while. I come to the conclusion that I am relieved that I missed. I got to have the experience with that buck and still keep my tag for the ear of the monster. He would have looked nice on the wall but not what I know is out there and waiting come the rut.

Pretty good day wouldn't you say? I was in a tree stand though. Deer do look up sometimes so stay still!