Bowhunting from the ground?

[fishx65]

Just wanted to see how many of you bowhunt from the ground and hear some new tips, tricks or stories. About two years ago I decided to bowhunt from the ground and had my two best seasons ever! I've been sitting on a tri-pod stool underneath spruce or pine trees by well used trails. I don't think I'll ever climb a tree again! I've tried stalking on windy days without much luck but have come face-to-face with a couple of does.

[wally-eye]

Biggest bow kill for me, only a 7 pt. but still nice was shot from the ground. Was sitting in a wooden blind that was covered in branches that melted into the surroundings. It can be done.......and often opens up tons of new areas.

[john warren]

always hunted from the ground since 1963. if it was good enough to feed indians it was good enough for me.

[stillwaiting]

what's been the distance of your kills from hunting on the ground?

[ForestFisher]

I have killed by far more bucks off the ground with a bow than I have out of a tree. My longest shots have been off the ground too, just shy of 40 yards. I don't think I'd even attempt that out of a tree. I like to be mobile, not that I don't like the added height and the better view from a tree. But how many times have you been in a tree where you had a great view and a buck suddenly appears 20 yards away? Both have there advantages, but I like the ground much better. Especially for rattling and calling, the ground is better hands down, at least for me it has been. Like I said both have advantages and in some situations you gotta get up off the ground. My closest bow kill off the ground was not over 5 yards, still gets my blood pumping just thinking about it. You don't get that close in a tree.
-FF

[lookin for the gills]

I shot a 9 point on the ground 2 years ago. It was by far the best experience I have ever had. Just to see that brute 5-10 yards away staring right at you while your at full draw. WOW, I think its more difficult to blend in though unless you find an old fallen tree. I will not make anyhting out in the woods for a blind, I will only use a natural blind.

[fishx65]

Took two nice bucks the 2nd and 3rd day of the season at 5 and 10 yards. This was on state land were there where no trees to climb. Both were taken in the evening about 1 hour before dark. It was about 75 degrees and I was sweating my @@@ off! I still can't get over how close you can get to them on the ground if your settup is right. I could have punched a couple does in the head last season!!!!

KEEP THE STORIES COMING!!!!

[eddiejohn4]

I still hunt when the circumstances are right, this is an exciting way to take a buck.

[CL-Lewiston]

All of a sudden ground hunting is something new. We hunted that way for 30 years.

And you can not always see more in the tree than on the ground.

I have missed deer at 8 yards-on the ground. Last deer I took was at about 18 yards-with the FOURTH arrow shot.

[bigbuckmiddaugh]

i ground hunt quit a bit. Because i hate putting up stands for 1 or 2 hunts then move or you need a tree without limbs for a climber, then you have no cover, then the noise of setting up both. Ever have a quite morning, then here that shckkkkk, schkkkk, schkkk up the tree with a climber. lol

I'm going to use the Tree Saddle this year, which will put me back up in the tree a lot more, because of ease of set up.

I think the biggest enemy of ground hunting is scent control, which goes down to location, location of setup.

[outfishin_]

Ground hunting can be a blast....I shot a huge doe about 5 yrs ago while sitting on the ground....I shot her at about 6 feet away broadside..she went about 30 yrds and dropped...:D That by far was one of the most exciting hunts I have ever been on....

[fishx65]

CL, You must have a very quiet bow!!! I was taught to sit in a tree over a pile of bait so this ground hunting is very new to me. I've been hunting for about 7 years and wish I would have taken to the ground sooner. I no longer have to purchase bait and I have about 20 different spots that I hunt on state land. The funny thing is, even though I have 60 private acres to hunt, I spend all my time on the thousands of acres of state land by my cabin. Being able to hunt areas were there are no trees to climb seems to be a huge advantage. I've run into one other bowhunter in the last two years!!! Hunting from the ground has also made me enjoy scouting almost as much as hunting!!!!

[john warren]

my kills with both a bow and gun have all been 20 to 30 yards, maybe a few closer.

[troutchops]

I shot a nice doe two years ago with a recurve bow out of a doghouse pop-up blind. I had a small doe walk right up to the screen window. I like hunting from the ground, i just got a new double-bull rip-off eastman blind. Just a couple more months.

[GuT_PiLe]

Ground hunting is definetly more difficult not only because the hunter must pay more attention to scent control and wind, but also because Whitetail deer have horizontal pupils/eyes....opposite of CATS...im sure you all are familiar with "cat eyes"...they are long pupils, set vertically...well image those eyes except turn them horizontally for deer...they see MUCH better at thier EYE level.

Thats why hunting from a tree is such an advantage, because deer cannot see with relative ease anything above a certain height, unless they move thier head to compensate....but they are more concerned with whats going on around them on the ground so unless you make a noise, or they are smelling the wind and you make a move at that moment, then yes...your busted as well.

Another thing as well is that whitetails have muuuuch more light receptors in thier eyes giving them the awesome ability to see in low light situations....hence the reason they travel and move in low light, or no light situations....so being on the ground, many hunters feel like dusk gives them a better advantage and more stealth, so they tend to move a bit more, get lax, and BUSTED! so its important to remember....to you its low light....to them its plain as day.

They do lack depth perception because they can only see with one eye at a time...so thats an advantage.....if you stay still enough....its difficult for a deer to focus on you because of this, or to judge your distance.

Bottom line, in order to be successful on the ground or anywhere for that matter.....KNOW YOUR PREY.

Know thier advantages and disadvantages, and exploit them.

Its a rush to be at eye level, full draw, 15 yds apart, but maaan its tough to get there

[Jekart]

I was hunting some ridges around Grayling in a ground blind and had a doe come straight at me within 5-10 feet of my blind on a trot- as she passed I turned and took a shot and missed, I looked down the ridge where she came from and here came a little 4-6 pt doing On the ezact same routeing. The buck didn't come quite as close but still got the heart going. I was so shocked from the first deer I never knocked another arrow and wasn't able to get a shot off at the buck...

[Backwoods-Savage]

The first time I hunted from a tree stand was in 1989. First time hunting with a compound was 1978. Started bowhunting in 1964. I still hunt both ways, depending on what the situation calls for. My advise is to not get hung up on the thought that one is better then the other, but rather to hunt in the way the situation calls for.

I still hunt on the ground and also love hunting from trees. I used to still hunt a lot but because of physical problems no longer can do that, but wish I could as it is a great way to hunt and a lot of fun.

Also, I do not agree with the emotional issues that one type of bow is better than the other. That is, longbow, recurve, compound or crossbow. They all have their place and I'd gladly hunt with every type if possible.

[BUCKWIZZARD]

we push deer with bows and it is without a doubt the most exciting way to hunt. When your on the ground it takes some practice, but its heart pounding when they come by at 5 yards. Its a whole different level of bow hunting . They will be looking right at you. First time I tried it some ahole stole my stand so I just sat between 2 trees and hoped to get lucky. 30 minutes later I shot one and started thinking that was to easy. Just walk in and sit down no stand no work and if you see deer moving somewhere else just walk over and HIDE. Ever sit in your stand and see deer you cant shoot cause no trees and you cant get a stand up ? cattails ?:rant:

[Ranger Ray]

Ground hunting can be a riot. It is for sure another enjoyable way out of several to enjoy hunting. The rut is the funnest time to ground hunt. Lots of funny stories I could tell but it would take to long. Ground hunt and you will experience your own in short order. Oh and one thing to remember, when a deer runs into you, it hurts. :lol:

[bluesun7602]

i got my first deer in nov. from a ground blind, and i'll do it again this year! ;)

[Gobblerman]

Never bow hunted from the ground and will probably try this year, I have done alot of ground hunting in Iowa during shot gun season and shot my biggest buck that way. A friend of mine pushed him to me, when I shot him he was about 5 yards away. Talk about an adrenline rush. He dropped instantly! It was Awesome!

[One Eye]

I have gradually returned to ground hunting the last few years to the point where I will hunt exclusively from the ground this fall. I too have tired or hauling all that crap into the woods only to have to haul it back out so that some scumbag doesn't steal it.

I saw mroe deer on the ground last year than from the trees and I had encounters so close, I could hear the deer breathing. I love simply disappearing into the forest floor and matching wits with the deer at their level.

Dan

[WALLEYEvision]

I perfer to bowhunt from a tree, but hunt out of ground blinds in areas where there are no trees large enough to hang a stand. I've had a lot of fun hunts in ground blinds, and the best thing is...you have more room to stretch out, and if you fall off your seat, it does't hurt as much.;)

[2-BIG]

I have taken quite a few deer over the years with my bow and ALL of them have been from the ground. Ghillie suits are awesome once you get the sleeve trimmed on your bow arm.
I carry a piece of camo netting in my fanny pack and I take a stool or chair to sit on. Many times I will just sneak through the woods and stand next to brushy trees. Add a recurve or longbow to the mix and you will get a feeling that can't be beat!:D