Use a Blind or Stalk?
 

Hey all, I just returned from my first ever Deer hunt. (Bowhunting) Unfortunately, this one turned out to be more hiking with weapons than anything else. It did leave me with a few questions though, and I'd like a few opinions. First off, my Doctor forbids me to use a tree stand due to a broken vertebrae in my back. So I'm left with spot and stalk of setting up a ground blind. Today was little more than scouting as I don't know the area. I did find a few tracks, but very few. It also seemed like a journey with no end. I was thinking the ticket would be to set up a blind in a likely spot and wait. If nothing else, I would be much quieter. What do ya'll think about using ground blinds?

Ground blinds are ok for archery; I'm typically too lazy and hate the lack of flexibility and just set up a stool near a tree so that when the deer comes in from an expected direction, my camo hides me against the tree.

I have found spot-and-stalk with the awkward shape of a bow difficult but do it often for gun. Haven't used a true ground blind in years.

Hunting should not be a random exercise, hopefully you are identifying key travel lanes and know pretty much what paths the deer will be following.

deer dude,
i have seen deer walk right up to and right by a pop-up tent that was blak and blue..make sure windows directly accross from windows are closed, so the deer cant see your siloette as u fumble for things.....when bow hunting not in the rut, blind placement is critical!!!!!! if it is rut , bringin them in couldnt be easier.
where ya at? what kinda land is it? flat? short grass? thick in the forest? what is your comfortable shooting distance?

a pop up blind works if you set it up and leave it there for them to get used to, otherwise I have seen it spook deer imediately because it was something out of the ordinary in there living room.
stalking deer with a bow, very very difficult.

Thanks for the replies. I hunt in Central Florida and it's a mix of Swamps, Oak Hammocks and Pines, mostly flat. I haven't had a chance to scout much as the area is gated until the day before the season, now it's open Friday to Sunday for Archery Season. I like the idea of the stool by the tree. I know deer are out there, but I don't think I've found a well traveled route. I found one spot that looked good (to me at least) where there was a few prints up on a trail and small bog below that was very churned up, but I couldn't tell what made them. Might be a good spot for a stool.

One trick you can do to see what's going down a trail is to create a soft spot. I first look for a likely spot that is somewhat narrowed down... on a trail. I then take a small sharp digging spade and dig out an area about 18" wide and 2' to 2 1/2' foot long. I dig up the top soil chunk and throw it aside and dig up the softer rootless dirt underneath. I'll mix and scrape this up so it's soft.

In a few days I'll come back to see what has been traveling down the trail. You can see all sorts of varying animal tracks along with the size/age of deer as well. I use it as an effective scouting tool.

iSnipe

A doctor cannot forbid you from doing anything. There are plenty of safe hunting stands that will allow you to get elevated. Ladder stands are very stable and with proper installation and the use of high quality fall restraint system, I see you as hunting from a "safe" eleveated stand.

The doctor has forbid you from stand hunting?? Just curious as to what other mundane activities he has also bannned you from. Driving?? Riding a bike?? Sleeping on a bed (god knows we have all fallen that 3 ft at some point in our adult lives). Living Life?? Let the doctor practice his craft in the office. Let you live your life outside of it.

Just my 2 cents

i use a blind because where i hunt theres already snow on the ground so the deer would be spooked because of the crunch crunch of the snow
plus its alot warmer

In regards to deer i hunt exclusively on the ground. When it comes to a bow/ambush style hunting I rarily use my ground blinds, instead like mentioned setup in an area that provides me natural cover. I also spot n stalk when feasible or the opportunity arises. Like mentioned ground blinds work best if left, unless it is in a situation such as hay field with bales then you can pop him up and hunt right away as the game are used to seeing objects against the horizon or landscape. If your in the woods and setup along a trial with good backing of natural cover they should work ok. I setup in the shadows if possible , so east side in the am and west side in the evening, of course wind direction needs to be observed before setting up. Keep it off their nose and on yours!!

I would definately say put up the blind. Stalking deer is extremely hard if your bowhunting.