hunting on the ground?
 

for the past hunting season, i have hunted on the ground in the new spot i found and have seen many deer, but have already been seen by two big bucks, the first time he saw me i moved to a different spot hope'n he wouldnt see me again, and when i did that a totaly different deer came and seen me again!! my ? is when u hunt on the ground without a blind where would be a good spot to sit, behind brush, trees????

RE: hunting on the ground?
 

I've had the best luck hunting between two trees fairly close together. I try to have at least one tree as wide as I am to break up my outline. I then cut small trees to brush myself in. Some situations work good and some others not so good. Big bucks know there landscape very well. They pick things that don't look ordinary to them. This makes hunting big bucks on the ground very challenging. Wind direction is very important when hunting on the ground. Using decoys also help when hunting on the ground. It takes much of the attention off you and onto the decoy. I've taken a few bucks on the ground. It's a rush having a deer within a couple of yards of you.

RE: hunting on the ground?
 

never infront of the brush or tree...always behind them..if you are hunting without any blind....

i find it best to be just back into the cover..put some limbs in front of you (small ones) from the or just stand or sit in the middle of some small trees with some cover around you...this will help in concelment and also would help in allowing you to move...

my best advice though would be to get a blind...weather big or small you can pick a single person blind up on ebay for like $50 or just a turkey style ground blind (half-blind with stakes) you can buy them for like $20...good luck

RE: hunting on the ground?
 

I sit in front of a large down tree that is high enough so that my outline is completely concealed. I've had deer less than 15yrds away look right towards me and not spot me in full blaze orange. I think the key is managing your scent and movements. Deer's noses are better than their eyes unless when theres movement to pick-up.

So my advice would be to find a large tree whether upright or down that has a larger outline than you have and use it. Also, cover your scent as much as possible and eliminate any human smells as much as possible.

Good Luck!

RE: hunting on the ground?
 

When hunting on the ground I usually sit up against or next to a large tree or beside some type of bush or cover to hide my out line.Since this is mostly the Rifle/Gun hunting Forum I would check to see if your allowed to hunt with any Decoys during Rifle/Gun Season since in most states you can not use them then?Now during Bow Season here in MO. you can put out a Deer Decoy or even a Turkey Decoy but be careful where your sitting and let others know your using a Decoy so you don't get shot while using them.

RE: hunting on the ground?
 

I have found that when hunting on the ground you have to use full camo (face mask &gloves) andpay very careful attention the deer. Do not move when a deer is looking in your direction...they are quick to pick up motion. It takes a lot of patience but you will get better with experience. I have killed over 130 deer (combined)with bow, rifle, pistol and muzzleloader. All were shot from the ground. It can be done, but it's a whole lot easier to kill them from a tree stand. I don't like heights. I bought a tree stand many years ago and got up in the thing. I knew immediately I would never enjoy hunting if I had to be elevated, so I learned to hunt on the ground.

RE: hunting on the ground?
 

I've hunted plenty on the ground.Most time backed up to a tree wider than me.It all depends what I see,maybe in the Fork of a downed Tree,maybe up under a Cedar.Just anything to break up my outline and make all movements very slow at all times.

big rockpile

RE: hunting on the ground?
 

Backing is the key IMO to picking the spot. Minimize the blob effect by picking a spot that has cover directly behind your outine. I like leaning against a large base tree and if the area doesn't have brush behind the tree I cut off limbs to create some.I only worry about front cover if i plan to hunt the same location in thenear future.

Minimize movements and keeping the wind in your favor are just as big keys to the puzzle as concealment. (As you found out already by being busted while trying to move in!!)

RE: hunting on the ground?
 

What are you wearing?I hunt a lot on the ground wearing the "leaf"suits.Works great and my favorite form of hunting.

RE: hunting on the ground?
 

I sat on the ground this year, my back against a medium size tree and had a doe and 10 pt come within 5 yards of me. I was in blaze orange as required by ohio during gun season. They didn't see me, didn't hear me, didn't smell me. She was running away from the buck because he wouldn't get his nose out of her butt lol

RE: hunting on the ground?
 

I shot 2 deer by bow this year and have had several other chances but not matures enough animals. I got a new area this year and couldn't do any preseason scouting , so scouted as I went. Next year now I'll have a stand or two up but will still do some stillhunting when I have to.

RE: hunting on the ground?
 

This blind has worked great.

RE: hunting on the ground?
 

I'm gonna assume and hope that the 10pter didn't get far past you! If you've got the patience to let a 10pt walk, you're 100x more patient than I am!

RE: hunting on the ground?
 

I took my biggest buck to date sitting on the ground. Hunting the wind is critical at ground level, and you have to sit still.

RE: hunting on the ground?
 

next season im making a box blind

RE: hunting on the ground?
 

I treat deer hunting from the ground similar to turkey hunting but adding the scent factor. Do what you have to to remove your outline (against a wide tree or back to thick brush) Then brush in as much as you can in front of you.
Then...DON'T MOVE.
Don't move while waiting to see deer (they usually see you first)
Move your gun only when they can't see you (be carful of the fake head bob)

RE: hunting on the ground?
 

Motion and scent are what get you busted when ground hunting. A couple of weeks ago I was sitting on a folding chair wearing ASAT sprayed with Deer Dander, and a buck walked up close enough to literally sniff my back before taking off. If I had moved he would have spotted me much sooner. BTW, the wind was in his favor, props to Deer Dander.

RE: hunting on the ground?
 

What Kevin said reminded me of a hunt i had where a decent size buck walked up so close behind the tree i was leaning against that my heart just about pounded out of my chest. I was bowhunting and i never moved. unfortunatley he came from my left to right and behind so being right handed and turning to my right with a bow created shot issues for me and i never got one off.
It was a very cool experience having a buck come within 5 feet of me

RE: hunting on the ground?
 

when i was hunting a few weeks back i was sitting below a cedar tree near a fenceline and 2 does went broadside to me at 10 yards and didnt notice me until they heard me sneeze.........i shot at one but i guess the powder was wet and it didnt go off i was pretty upset

RE: hunting on the ground?
 

As others have said, it is all about playing the wind, and being still. You don't really need much of a blind, although the more concealment the better. Camoflage isn't all that important either. When a deer is in sight, you can't move unless the deer is moving,looking away, or heavily screened. If the deer is pretty close, or acting nervous, avoid eye contact, keep your face tilted down and away, and don't move a muscle.

I've been busted a few times by deer that come in pretty fast and close, take you by surprise, they stop, look, you look at them, gone. Sometimes it just happens. They live out there 24/7, and they are very in tune with their surroundings. You have to be in tune also. You have to be relaxed, calm, comfortable, blend in and become part of the scene. If you're standing there allgeeked up and vibrating, (I'm guilty of this myself sometimes) it's no wonder you get busted.

RE: hunting on the ground?
 

Years ago my daughter gave me a hunting umbrella,it's only half of one.Best quick ground blind I've ever used.And if caught in rain storm it really works.Lets you move a little,mainly my legs.

RE: hunting on the ground?
 

Others have commented upon using cover and using the wind. Also try to place yourself in the shadows.

RE: hunting on the ground?
 

95% on the ground for me.