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hunter1
Newbie
Joined: 28 Oct 2009
Posts: 7
Location: North East maryland
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 Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 4:52 pm Post subject: hunting deer from ground |
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Due to illness this year, I'm forced to stand hunt from the ground. I'v hunted from
tree stands and still hunted for deer. I like tracking to. are there any advantages from hunting from one area and vantage point. Theres plenty of sign in the area. any advice. |
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Tndeerhunter
Buck Master
Joined: 13 Apr 2009
Posts: 63
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 1:53 pm Post subject: Re: hunting deer from ground |
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| hunter1 wrote: | Due to illness this year, I'm forced to stand hunt from the ground. I'v hunted from
tree stands and still hunted for deer. I like tracking to. are there any advantages from hunting from one area and vantage point. Theres plenty of sign in the area. any advice. |
I really enjoy hunting from a tree stand, normally it gives one a much better view of the surroundings. However, when figuring which has been more successful for me, a tree stand or ground spot, it's a toss-up between the two methods, IMO. As an example, last season I was lucky enough to harvest three eight point bucks, all from tree stands.
But, two years ago I also harvested three eight points, but they were all shot from the ground. Thinking back over several seasons, this had been the case as a norm; equal success. As long as your stand locations are well thought out and you do a few simple things before plunking yourself down, you will likely enjoy similar success as you did hunting from elevated stands. I find it works well, once finding an area with lots of sign, a funnel or stream/fence crossing etc., that you study the terrain, pick out a large upright tree or downed tree and make that your "stand".
I've shot lots of deer simply sitting on a cushion with my back to a tree. It's important to clear all leaf litter and sticks away, so you don't "rustle" when you move. The fresh earth scent you've just produced in scraping leaves away, will also help to cover your scent somewhat. Another tip is to bring some small pruning shears to cut any small branches away, giving you an unobstructed shooting lane(s). You can also bring a small stool and set up directly behind a tree, overlooking a promising area. The nicest ten point buck I ever harvested was shot while sitting on a stool, behind a tree, using it as a "blind".
There are several portable ground blinds (not talking the tent type) that are portable enough to carry out to a spot. Perhaps even just some camo burlap strung up to hide your profile, giving you a semi-permanent stand site (at least for one season). If you have chosen a big enough tree, one a good bit wider than you are, deer will walk up surprising close, if you remain still. 
Pay attention to the wind direction, try not to sit facing a rising or setting sun, try to sit in a shadowed area and clear "litter" away a large area at your chosen "sitting" tree site and you'll be fine. |
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hunter1
Newbie
Joined: 28 Oct 2009
Posts: 7
Location: North East maryland
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| Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:02 am Post subject: ground hunt |
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Thanks for the tips. |
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hunter777
Bull Whacker
Joined: 28 Oct 2003
Posts: 1602
Location: Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:38 pm Post subject: |
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I have very good luck from the ground also. I like to put my back to a large tree, like the first poster said and dont move a muscle until the shot presents itself. Another favorite spot on the ground for me is inside a creek or river bed. I use the water to walk in silently (the scent from my shoes is non existant) and then sit below the surface of the streem bank with just my head or head and torso above ground. Any method you use make sure you break up the outline of your body with some sort of cover. Even if the cover is behind you try to make it appear as though you are part of it. |
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the_law_man01
Newbie
Joined: 16 Nov 2009
Posts: 9
Location: SC Kansas
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| Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 2:01 am Post subject: Re: hunting deer from ground |
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| hunter1 wrote: | Due to illness this year, I'm forced to stand hunt from the ground. I'v hunted from
tree stands and still hunted for deer. I like tracking to. are there any advantages from hunting from one area and vantage point. Theres plenty of sign in the area. any advice. |
Sorry to hear of your illness first of all. Secondly, the previous posters have given some great tips. Just a little suggestion, if you have cedar trees in the area, clearing the lower limbs from a cedar tree makes a great shadow to sit in as well as great cover scent. Don't clear the limbs to your back as you would then create a "backlight" situation which would allow the deer to see your silouhette moving.
Additionally, don't be downhearted about ground hunting. I nearly prefer it to stand hunting. With a tree stand, it is where it is. With ground hunting, your stand is wherever deer movement, wind, etc need it to be.
I know every hunt/hunter is different, but I have actually killed 4 deer from the ground to every 1 from a tree.
Good luck!
_________________
NE Oklahoma Fall '08 Rifle Season - main frame 9 point with additional kicker straight back at base of left side |
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buck_buster2009
Newbie
Joined: 17 Nov 2009
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 12:16 pm Post subject: |
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Hello,
you also may consider buying a ground blind,I recently bought the Turret XL ground blind for $100.00 free shipping and you will get it 5 days after you order it so far I have killed 2 deer and had several turkeys right out in front of me less then 10 yards the mesh windows make it impossible for anything to see you it is big enough for 2 hunters or 1 hunter and a camera man and a heater well I will tell you its big enough you could fit 2 recliners side by side in it and it sets up in less then 2 minutes,I will be hunting out of it again Friday for the firearm season.I will never go back to hunting in a stand I can hunt in pouring down rain and stay completely dry I love it. |
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