Ground hunting
 

Sometimes I like to go places new to hunt, and I don't have a climber or a blind. Did anyone ever have success hunting from the ground?

RE: Ground hunting
 

pick a spot, then sit still. but try to have some cover around you.

RE: Ground hunting
 

Since i just spent all of my money on my bow and i don't have a stand, i'll probably try hunting from the ground this year...i'll see how it fairs...i always hunt from the ground w/rifle so I assume this won't be much different.

RE: Ground hunting
 

martin- I once hunting on the ground . I would fine a tree that was blown over cut the branches of so i could sit in it. make sure you get all the leave out of it make good for rattling . You can take your antlers rattle them then hit the branches around you then clear leave with them and then take the back side of your antlers and pound them on the ground , and remember to make alot of noise while you go throw each stage of you rattling that way a buck will think there a real fight going on works for me. Oh and don't for get to get ready after that . I've had them run in ,and i've had them come in from the down wind side so always be ready.Just my thought on hunting on the ground. I forgot try it during the pre-rut.

RE: Ground hunting
 

I've had success from the ground. Some good advice has been given in the posts above. I like to find a well used trail and find some good cover. When I get to a spot I clear a 3-4 foot spot down to bare earth. It not only cuts down on noise but also provides some natural earth scent. If you can get underneath some pines that is good as well. You have to remember that you are at eye level for deer so they are much more likely to pickup movements. A good camo breakup pattern will help. Of course you want to play the wind as well. You need every advantage that you can get. Another option is a ground blind. They help contain scent and conceal movements. Also good if the weather isn't ideal.

RE: Ground hunting
 

It will make you a much better hunter in the long run if you get towhere you can consistantly kill deer from the ground. Position yourself a good 20 yds from where you think the deer will be traveling. The key is you seeing them comming before they have a chance to see you. Try to set yourself up in that manner. Its tuff hunting but you can really learn about deer behavior thru all the errors you will make.

RE: Ground hunting
 

I've had lots of succes by bowhunting from the ground.

Good advice above!

Do not sit out in the open. Have something behind you and around you to let your camo blend in.

Keep movement to a minimum.

Play the wind.

Clear the area you are sitting of leaves and forest debri to prevent making noise.

It is best to set up for farther shots instead of getting up close and personal. Practice long distance shooting.

Be sure to camo face and handswith make up or head net and gloves.


A leafy type 3D outfit ( Ghille type suit ) goes a long way when hunting from the ground.


Try to be as scent free as possible.

Make sure you are always in position and ready to draw your bow. Don't lay bow across the ground or sit in a way that requires lots of movement to get bow ready to draw. This right here will cost you more opportunitys than anything.

Make surethe bottom limb of your bow is not going to hit the ground when you draw or fire your bow. Try a few practice draws around your postion to check this out BEFORE a deer appears. It is pretty frustrating when you are at full draw and find out that the bottom cam is touching the ground and you can't aim your sights low enough. Trust me!

RE: Ground hunting
 

I've hunted from the ground a few times. Can't say that I've killed anything, but I've got 3 misses under my belt

RE: Ground hunting
 

Walmart sells a little saw for under $20 (untill the sell out of them) made by Gerber that is the best thing since sliced bread. I always keep mine with me and usually buy a new one every year. You can cut small cedar tree's or just about anything and have a home made blind up in minutes. It's also good to have when your putting up stands in a new place. It will trim the limbs right off quick. I have always been succesfull in these type of blinds. We hunt hilly type ground in east TN and being in a stand isnt always the best. It just depends on the type of ground were hunting and which direction the deer are coming. I dont mind being on the ground at all. Besides, it's safer anyway.

RE: Ground hunting
 

Motownhonkey hit the nail on the head!Ground huntingis what will make you a great hunter! Be ready for dissapointments though. It's tough! But, also be ready for the lucky chances that will come. This reminds me of a buck I killed while I was still hunting up a shallow creek into the wind in the middle of a doe bedding area during prime rut. As I was stillhunting, I sawthe hind end of a deer about 40 yards out and moving away while feeding. As I stood there and tried to decide what to do next, he turns a 180 and comes straight at me. He walks right up to the edge of the creek bank, only 4 yards away! He did not see me standing at full draw and after the arrow went deep he only made it 30 yards before crashing. One thing though, he was so close that if he had jumped in the creek after the shot, he probably would've run me over before I could've moved out of the way. Great memory though!