Still Hunting With A Bow
 

Every time I see a hunter take a Mule Deer, Whitetail,Elk or some other game with a Bow on the ground I think "Now that is the most challenging hunting there is." My first Deer ever was on the ground at close range with my Bow and I enjoyed the thrill of that like nothing else. How many of you have harvested a Whitetail while still hunting on the ground with no blind? And do you hunt often like this or is it a rare thing for you to hunt on the ground with a Bow? Do any of you hunt only from the ground and if so how successful have you been at it? Thanks

I took a mature 5 1/2 yo buck last year from the ground... Theres a thread somewhere about it...

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/bowh...-read-pic.html

I always spot and stalk. I hate sitting in a tree. I have always seen more deer walking then sitting in a tree. Both hunting and scouting.


One year I had a nice six point 20yrds from me, he was snorting and stomping the ground. I started to get concerned he was going to charge me, but he finally got spooked enough and ran. We had a stare down for 5 minutes. Man, that gets the blood flowing.

My first bow killed deer was the same scenario! I walked right up on him and made a 15Yd. chipshot! I frequently take to my feet while bowhunting, especially when it's raining/snowing. If they won't show themselves, then I'll take the show to them!!!

Are some of you guys just talking about walking through the woods hoping to run into a deer (still hunting) or actually spot & stalk, where the animal is spotted, a plan is developed and then the stalk begins.... in true western spot & stalk tradition. There is a BIG difference between the two. I hear folks each season get the two types of hunts seriously confused. LOL!

Agreed. The deer I took last year was totally unintentional in the aspect of finding him... :barmy:

Most people still hunt by walking 10-30 yards pretty slowly and then stopping for a few minutes, then repeat.


I prefer sitting in a tree stand in a good location. Everytime I still hunt I have the feeling that the deer are crossing my trail behind me. Although two of the last times I was at my hunt club I was within bow range of a deer while I was on the ground - it just wasn't hunting season.

havent had the luc of bagging a deer on the ground yet, but the last 2 years , i have had deer as close as 15 ft, what a rush !!!!!!!!!!several times , i hunt from a tee pop up , my main problem is getting the shot off when i move the curtain i get busted , been thinkin about puttin some mesh on this year; ive seen more deer bow season lately , from that blind than i can count, just looking forward for that is a rush , they get so close i can read made in usa on the bumper!!!!!!!!

it depends, it can be a spot and stalk if i see the deer first. lol like last year a saw a doe at 60 yards and closed the distance to 20 with out her knowing just for practice. but i do like ground hunting mostly still hunting. its hard to do spot and stalk in PA woods but it can be done. my first buck was taken while still hunting. i made him stand up from his bed and smack, only went 20 yards. I feel like still hunting or spot and stalk with a bow is buy far the most challenging way of taking any game animal. especially elk where you have to close the distance by hundred of yards sometimes.

Definitely plan on doing more still hunting this year... Have a huge plot of corn fields with surrounding oaks. Going to try still hunting around the perimeter and seeing what i can come up with....

So I'll update you soon! :)