I got out of work yesterday a little early so I decided I'd rush home and head out for an hour of hunting at my spot behind my house.

I have been blanked this year so far and I have been really discouraged. I am also getting a little tired of hauling my climber 45 minutes out and then back.

Since time was limited I decided to sneak down to the swamp area near my house and just look around.

I tried to quitely sneak in to the thickets and do a little doe bleating. Now I *tried* to be quiet but it is pretty darn hard with leaves on the ground and pretty thick cover so I did my best.

I set up and did 4 bleats. I heard some movement. I waited and bleated again a few minutes later and I heard more movement. After doing this for awhile I really think there were 2 deer about 20-50 yards away but I never saw them through the thick cover.

This was my most basic and exciting hunt to date. I knew they could pop out at any second.

Should I try to sneak back in there and do the same thing? Should I try rattling or grunting? Should I try to get a tree stand in there so I can see better?

Thanks
-Geoff

When i still hunt the 1st thing I do is clear all the leaves around my feet. Clear out a good area that way when you do move you won't be crunching leaves. I would find a good spot where there are some trails present.

You might try to get out earlier if you can. Make sure that you are scent free and facing the direction the wind is blowing. Scent control is critical when you are on the ground.

Are you seeing signs of deer in the area?

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When i still hunt the 1st thing I do is clear all the leaves around my feet. Clear out a good area that way when you do move you won't be crunching leaves. I would find a good spot where there are some trails present.

You might try to get out earlier if you can. Make sure that you are scent free and facing the direction the wind is blowing. Scent control is critical when you are on the ground.

Are you seeing signs of deer in the area?
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There are tons of deer signs within the general area but I have had the worst luck were there is the most sign. I followed what I'm guessing (pretty sure) is a deer trail in to the spot I was sitting at last night.

The deer I heard were across a stream from me in some pretty thick stuff. I'm afraid I spook them coming in to that area usually when I try to get too close. I think I may have had some better luck this time because I was trying to stay very quiet and move slowly.

I know there are some huge deer (a buddy thinks a 10 pointer + judging by some rubs) but I'm having a tough time seeing them even though I have found a TON of rubs, prints, trials, scat etc. etc.

It is one of those things when you know there there but you just can't get to them.

Did you have a open area or lane for the deer to move into when they respond to the call?
Are the bucks fully into the rut in your area yet?
I wouldn't try rattling untill you see them fighting or fully chasing/mating does. Rattling to early spooks the big ones.

Next time set up in that area and wait until the deer start to move toward the feeding areas. It sounds like you found the bedding area. Have patience and take your time!
Good Luck


Greg

&quot;Getting close to the game is the joy of Bowhunting for me, the harvest is a bonus.&quot;

Live 15 ft Python after eating a small Antelope!

When using a call from the ground you need to be careful your not vocalizing directly at the deer from your blind. I try to point the call to my left or right so the deer aren't looking directly in my direction. The other reason is volume. I'm no expert by any stretch but I would guess does bleat from a distance. They wouldn't quietly walk up to a group of other deer and then bleat.

You are probably at or very close to a good spot. One of the nice things about ground blinds is that you can move easily.

When I run into something like you are experiencing, I back off and try to make another approach from downwind. As you approach, look for better shooting lanes and &quot;natural&quot; blind locations like fallen branches, stumps, etc.

Let us know how you do next time out. I never use a tree stand and I don't feel it is a disadvantage at all.

I have a ground blind about 40 yds into the woods and it can take me 30-40 minutes to get to it. I usually take 2-3 steps slowly at a time, then look around and listen some more. Ground hunting with a bow can be awesome, especially once you get a deer from the ground!! It also allows a lot of flexibility. Things are better later in the year when the leaves are down, but I have spots that are ok now.

As long as you walk in into the wind I think you can hunt it quite a bit. But take your time going in and out and look around (I use binocs, it can really help pick them out when they are a little farther away if they are going slow).

Good luck, glad to hear it was exciting! It could have been squirrels, but it could have been deer!!!

--Jim

I don't know but it sounds like you are on the right track. exercise some persistance.

Sooner

&quot;Size isn't important, but it HELPS!!!&quot;