Hunting off the ground
09-29-2004, 08:08 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 86
Hunting off the ground
Theres a good possibility i will be hunting off the ground saturday for the PA opener. I will not be using my ground blind, just sitting on a stool. I was wondering if anyone has any tips for hunting off the ground, like getting the shot off, scent, anything really....thanks
09-29-2004, 08:28 PM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Albemarle, NC
Posts: 149
RE: Hunting off the ground
I hunted for years off the ground with fair success but it is much better to be in a tree stand. However, you know that already! That doesn't mean you can't be successful while hunting from the ground. Anyway, you'll have good success if you can get as scent free as possible, hunt the wind and position yourself with as much foliage behind and around you that you can get. If you look hard enough you'll find a couple of spots that will offer you a sort of natural blind to position your stool. Try not to get into a position that the sun shines on you either. As far as drawing, well that is the hardest part IMO. I have spooked several while drawing. It is far better to be drawing on a single buck or doe than to have several deer around. Usually one will spot your movement. Try to draw when the deer has its head down or is behind a tree and make sure your bow is sound proof as well. I still have some deer that will hear me draw but if they can't see you do it they will be alerted but might not be able to pick you out. I find this type of hunting the most challenging, however after the harvest there is so much more satisfaction. Last year I had 2 does within 7 yards of me on one of my "ground" hunts. I could hear them breath is seemed. I drew as they both had their heads down but one of them winded me or something and jumped and ran into thicker brush. The other doe was startled but moved over into a more open area for me so I was able to take her. That was exciting and tough at the same time. To me it is far easier from a tree stand I'll tell ya. But what a feeling it is to be on the same level. Good luck!
09-29-2004, 08:31 PM
#3
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: North Dakota
Posts: 959
RE: Hunting off the ground
Lastnight when I was walking back from my stand, I was downwind of two 6 pointers on and they just sat there and looked at me...one actually started walking towards me.
The only thing that spooked them was when I moved my arm, so i am going to say try to stay downwind of the deer if you have an idea of where they will be coming from, and use some type of scent killer/eliminator. I use a soap and spray all of my clothing, and it seems to work since he got within about 15 yards of me and it was just a breeze coming through. and he had his nose in the air the whole time.
The only thing that spooked them was when I moved my arm, so i am going to say try to stay downwind of the deer if you have an idea of where they will be coming from, and use some type of scent killer/eliminator. I use a soap and spray all of my clothing, and it seems to work since he got within about 15 yards of me and it was just a breeze coming through. and he had his nose in the air the whole time.
09-29-2004, 08:34 PM
#4
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location:
Posts: 135
RE: Hunting off the ground
I prefer to hunt off the ground rather than a tree stand. when ground hunting scent is more of a concern, if you go back throught the pages of this form you will find a good home made cover scent recipe use it or buy a good cover scent,also If the rut has not begun maybe put some buck urine on a few cotton swabs and set them out around your sitting spot it might stop the buck long enough to get your shot off spread them out at your comfortable shooting ranges. also make sure the spot you pick to sit has some trees or bush or overhangs that you can set up in you want cover to blend inwithandstop the deer from picking up your outline. You also want to make sure their is some bush shrubs anything like that between you and the trail/deer this is important because it will give you a chance to draw your bow with being seen. well other than that gargle with baking soda and just get comfotable when you get settled you DO NOT want to have to move because on ground level a deer will pick you out before you even know he is there. Hope this helps good luck the reason I like ground hunting is because it is such a challenge. good spots to set up are basically the same place you would set a tree stand up just on ground level and make sure there is enough cover.
09-29-2004, 10:54 PM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Rural Valley PA USA
Posts: 444
RE: Hunting off the ground
I always hunt on the ground...
One thing I have learned is that you never want to be set up where the deer are likely to be looking. If they are following a trail and moving then you want to be off to the side. You want to be as still as possible and 'become' the background. In my experience the bucks are easier to hide from as they are usually alone and traveling with a mission in mind. Unless they smell or see you they will keep moving. Does are almost always in groups and usually there is one doe that is smart enough to know that you don't belong there - even if she doesn't smell you or see you move. They just 'know'.
I've only hunted for three years but I spend time in the woods photographing the deer all year long. Early in the season they are not spooked as easy - once the rifle season starts they spook at anything... As stated by others - keep your scent in control and stay upwind.
GOOD LUCK!
One thing I have learned is that you never want to be set up where the deer are likely to be looking. If they are following a trail and moving then you want to be off to the side. You want to be as still as possible and 'become' the background. In my experience the bucks are easier to hide from as they are usually alone and traveling with a mission in mind. Unless they smell or see you they will keep moving. Does are almost always in groups and usually there is one doe that is smart enough to know that you don't belong there - even if she doesn't smell you or see you move. They just 'know'.
I've only hunted for three years but I spend time in the woods photographing the deer all year long. Early in the season they are not spooked as easy - once the rifle season starts they spook at anything... As stated by others - keep your scent in control and stay upwind.
GOOD LUCK!
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