Opinions sought- climbers, saddles or ground blinds - best for public land hunt?

[Bagg-it Tag-it]

I have a couple of those that are extremely comfortable but lean too far back for using a scope. Probably ordered the wrong brand. I've got a millenium run and gun on the way that doesn't have any back rest that I want to try out.

I have not ever had that problem. Maybe I lean into the scope when shooting? I keep a cheap bipod on my rifle and have the legs extended and it is very easy to maneauver and to shoot from the chair with a gun.

 

[Ski]

You do that with a bow or rifle?

Both. One last year with bow. Two the year before with gun and one with bow. Many through the years.

The buck below I shot after grunting at another buck in the distance. He was on a steady walk so I grunted to get his attention and he sped up walking even faster away. I was perplexed until this guy came charging in on me. Apparently he'd just got done chasing the other buck away and was now focused on me. He came to within spitting distance, only an oak tree between us and I was completely exposed. I could only see his nose and antler tips when he'd turn his head scanning for where that grunt came from, and could see steam exit his nostrils every breath. My heart was pounding and he was so close I was afraid he'd hear it or see steam coming from my nostrils LOL. But I sat statue still and he eventually walked off slowly. Soon as his head was looking away from me I drew my bow & let it rip.

I've never shook so much in my life while hunting. He could easily have tore me apart. Both base circumference measurements went almost 6" and the fourth measurements were still over 4".

 

[Apostolic Outdoors]

Both. One last year with bow. Two the year before with gun and one with bow. Many through the years.

The buck below I shot after grunting at another buck in the distance. He was on a steady walk so I grunted to get his attention and he sped up walking even faster away. I was perplexed until this guy came charging in on me. Apparently he'd just got done chasing the other buck away and was now focused on me. He came to within spitting distance, only an oak tree between us and I was completely exposed. I could only see his nose and antler tips when he'd turn his head scanning for where that grunt came from, and could see steam exit his nostrils every breath. My heart was pounding and he was so close I was afraid he'd hear it or see steam coming from my nostrils LOL. But I sat statue still and he eventually walked off slowly. Soon as his head was looking away from me I drew my bow & let it rip.

I've never shook so much in my life while hunting. He could easily have tore me apart. Both base circumference measurements went almost 6" and the fourth measurements were still over 4".

View attachment 240201

Now that's huntin'!!

 

[Pic IN the Casa]

If I set up a blind on public land I throw some orange on it.

 

[TNRifleman]

I have grown really apathetic about whitetail hunting since I've started going out west. I ditched everything and just make little brushed in spots at the bases of trees. Walk in, plop down my Big Agnes ultralight stool, sit and watch the sun come up or go down and enjoy the time. If I kill a deer, it would be the cherry on top but I just have no passion to climb anymore.

 

[Ski]

Now that's huntin'!!

Yessir! That's why I do it from the ground as much as I do. And it's not always the deer killing that gets exciting. I've had right up close encounters with squirrels, turkeys, raccoons, skunks, coyotes, etc. It's fun messing with curious critters. I see plenty from the stand but it's a whole different thing interacting with them.

 

[lol]

Yessir! That's why I do it from the ground as much as I do. And it's not always the deer killing that gets exciting. I've had right up close encounters with squirrels, turkeys, raccoons, skunks, coyotes, etc. It's fun messing with curious critters. I see plenty from the stand but it's a whole different thing interacting with them.

When I was a teen, I had a camo blanket I'd sit under. I had chipmunks running back and forth under it during a sit and once had a squirrel sit on the toe of my boot and eat an acorn.

 

[Ski]

When I was a teen, I had a camo blanket I'd sit under. I had chipmunks running back and forth under it during a sit and once had a squirrel sit on the toe of my boot and eat an acorn.

That stuff is priceless to me. I love interacting with the forest, being a part of it, just another critter going about my business. Nothing wrong with blinds & stands. I use them too. But they always make me feel like a spectator, not a player. When I'm on the ground I'm in the game, not at the game.

 

[Apostolic Outdoors]

Yessir! That's why I do it from the ground as much as I do. And it's not always the deer killing that gets exciting. I've had right up close encounters with squirrels, turkeys, raccoons, skunks, coyotes, etc. It's fun messing with curious critters. I see plenty from the stand but it's a whole different thing interacting with them.

I'm the same way. I've gotten some cool pictures that way.

 

[Shanman]

One huge advantage I see with still hunting or ground hunting is that you can move locations quickly if need be and you are scouting as you go. Even if you've scouted an area out weeks before the deer sign might have changed. I LOVE the saddle but staying stationary with no action going on is monotonous as heck for me. I usually still hunt and scout once gun season starts.

 

[killingtime 41]

I use summit climber and millennium m7 with hawk helium sticks. But by rifle season I'm on a 10 dollar dove stool from Walmart. I find a place kick back all the leaves and sit on the stool take off my back pack and get with it. Move when I want sit when I want. It works really well of big tracks of public.

 

[Flintlocksforme]

Saddle only for me, can climb any tree in the woods as high as i want with under 8lbs of equipment and be hunting height in 10 minutes and as quiet as a mouse in the middle of the night

Any tree is the deal with saddle. If the woods have been select cut most of the good straight trees are long gone. Sometimes you just can't find one to go up with a climbing stand or if you do it's not where you want to be.

 

[lol]

I'm the same way. I've gotten some cool pictures that way.

A great topic for a campfire conversation.

 

[Molonlabemike]

I prefer saddle but that's how I started hunting. My buddy tried the saddle then changed to a climber and he loves that. YMMV

 

[AlexDad]

I just made a post in this section labeled "Finally Found My Setup" that I posted before seeing this thread. There's not a method I haven't used extensively and have settled on a hybrid method.