No tree stand - do you spot/stalk or use a ground blind
 

I'm new here - have returned to the love of archery that was long left in my youth.

I am recovering from a surgery where they rebuilt my entire cervical spine. Lot's of screws and steel. Short story is the Doc says it's not worth the risk to use a tree stand. Even falling with a safety line is potentially dangerous.

That having been said, I know that there are guys that spot & stalk, as well as hunt from a portable ground blind. I'm leaning toward the blind but I don't know. Would like to know some of your preferences and why. Hunting Whitetale in Minnesota.

Thanks -

Don

RE: No tree stand - do you spot/stalk or use a ground blind
 

Hey Snowrider welcome aboard!!!! Sounds like a tough recovery hope you heal well. I mostly hunt out of a tree but do ground hunt in the early season! Where I hunt its pretty hard to spot and stalk. I've never tried a ground blind but I'm planning on it this year! Good luck.

RE: No tree stand - do you spot/stalk or use a ground blind
 

Hello,

Glad to see your still hunting,

tend to hunt from the ground, and occassionally stalk, but rarely,
hunting from the ground works fine, you just have to know the routes the deer will take and hope it crosses your path,

No matter how you hunt, enjoy

RE: No tree stand - do you spot/stalk or use a ground blind
 

Hey fellow Minnesotan hope your recovery goes well. I myself don't much care for tree stands (I do hunt out of them). I arrowed my first bow kill in Oct. of 04 sitting on a pale on the ground. She walked right up to me (8 yds). The rest is history. I think either way you'll find both will work if done properly. Good luck. Where you from in MN?

RE: No tree stand - do you spot/stalk or use a ground blind
 

Go get'em Don.

I've tried spot and stalk before and had my best chance when a group of starlings covered my noise and even then a buck heard me. Just so happened that he was to curious. Gave me a broad side which I drove into a tree. Bummer. I have had not much luck at spot and stalk. If you want to test yourself try sneaking up on a cat and see how you do. I practise on my wife's. I think a ground blind would be good.

RE: No tree stand - do you spot/stalk or use a ground blind
 

Hey Stone that had to be a rush, aye!!!! I've never taken a deer from ground level with my bow, close though! Like I said that's gotta be a rush!!! :)

RE: No tree stand - do you spot/stalk or use a ground blind
 

Thanks for the replies/opinions. I am currently contemplating a couple of the portable stands from Cabelas. They are reasonably priced and light to carry.

Stone316_74 - I'm in the southeast supburbs of the Twin Cities - will probably be hunting down around Hastings in the Gores Pool WMA.

Don

RE: No tree stand - do you spot/stalk or use a ground blind
 

Prefer the elevated vantage point here... although spot and stalk has produced deer sightings within bow range as well. I've not used a blind, but have used natural cover, blowdowns and such, for ambush points when hunting at ground zero. Portable climbing stands will always be my first choice.

RE: No tree stand - do you spot/stalk or use a ground blind
 

snowrider, hey welcome. anyway I frequently use a ground blind even though I still hunt from a tree as well. I would recommend the Eastman Carbon Venture blind. It is much like the double bull as far as the turnbuckles are concerned. They are very reasonably priced and you can get great deals on ebay. Good luck.

RE: No tree stand - do you spot/stalk or use a ground blind
 

Mostly treestands here. I do use a ground blind from time to time. The ultimate challenge and rush is spot and stalk though. You have to be one crafty hunter to spot and stalk a deer to within bowrange. A great rush the whole time too.:D Wet days I like to poke around the standing corn rows and stalk.;) Except it sort of freaks me out towards night. I start to remember the Children of the Corn movie and I have to bolt.:D[:-]

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: No tree stand - do you spot/stalk or use a ground blind
 

Hunting from the ground is a little tougher but it certainly can be done and it's 10 times exciting to be looking your quarry in the eyes. I prefer a natural ground blind. Blowdowns make good blinds. I set up behind the tree from where I expect to see the deer and just sit on a little folding chair. The blowdown should be enough to break up your outline and allow you to draw on deer that are very close to you. I've never been a fan of comercial ground blines but that in just my preference.

I'm gald you found the sport again. I had a lull from my teen to adult years and I find bow huntig just if not more rewarding now that I'm older.

RE: No tree stand - do you spot/stalk or use a ground blind
 

Most ground blinds I've tried are not designed for a bow hunter. They just don't give you the room to manuver and go to full draw without your broadhead ripping fabric or your arm pushing the back of the blind. Even still, they do work very very well. Even your most basic model will allow you the opportunity to strech your legs and move around a bit without spooking the deer you didn't see. They also contain your scent exceptionaly well. I've had deer walk downwind within mere feet of the blind and act as if I wasn't there.
By all means use one if you can find a nice big blind at a good price and know a spot that the deer get close. You will be suprised at how well the blinds work.

RE: No tree stand - do you spot/stalk or use a ground blind
 

Here's to a speedy 100% recovery! I know back pain and can feel for you. I think in light of the surgical care you endured, a blind would be the best option.

Spot and stalk often gets you caught up in the thrill of the hunt, especially while closing in on game. Too big of a risk IMO to be eveloped in the hunt and chance making bad foot placement while not being totally focused on the terrain.

There's a number of good blinds on the market, some of which have shoot through window svreen designed for the bowhunter. That would be my pick. I apologize if someone already posted that suggestion... as I didn't read all of the previous suggestions.

RE: No tree stand - do you spot/stalk or use a ground blind
 

I hunt both from trees & ground blinds. Last year I got 6 deer from pop up blinds so I feel safe saying they work. They keep you out of the wind & snow or rain as well so theres times you can be out when no other sane hunter is. I use a Ameristep dog house thats 5' square & about the same tall. That ones a bit on the tight side but has the shoot thru mesh & fits in tight places nicely. I also use a Hunters View lodge, that ones 7' X 7' & the same height. That ones nice & roomy, you can stand if you want & stretch. Its got 8 small windows & the top of the walls can be unzipped so you can stand & shoot. No shoot thru mesh but its a simple matter to put some velcro around the windows if you feel the need. I dont, I had deer 20 feet away looking right at the blind & they dont see you in there as long as you sit back & dont open too many windows. I like the blinds myself. :D

RE: No tree stand - do you spot/stalk or use a ground blind
 

Use them all. Sometimes you can find a nice little blowdown or ditch to set in. Other times you can make a natural ground blind quite easily with what's at hand. I would think with your back the important thing is to get COMFORTABLE. Use a chair or stool. Back up to a tree, put some limbs and junk around you but far enough away to allow you to swing and shoot. You may want to try one of those bow blinds that goes where your stabilizer goes and fans out like an umbrella. The big pop up blinds are nice but need to be brushed in and in place for the deer to get used to them. You must sit wary wary still when huntin' wabbits and deer.

RE: No tree stand - do you spot/stalk or use a ground blind
 

I do most of my gun hunting from a ground blind.