50+ white tails (40+ with bow),and countless hogs. Over half killed from the ground. All but 4-5 on public land throughout southeast and Midwest.
I have spent way too much time tinkering with ways to get up a tree. I do it, if the situation screams for it. And I almost always leave the truck with my gear to get up a tree.
But I walk until I find deer in the flesh, or the type of sign that indicates they're within 100 yards of me. Then I find an ambush spot. If that spot has a suitable tree to climb, and it will increase my odds enough to climb it, I do. If not, I find a spot to kill them from the ground. If neither exist, I keep walking.
I don't wear a ghillie suit. Sometimes I don't wear camo.
I'm not special. I'm not particularly good at hunting or shooting or hiding.
Tips for shooting them on the ground:
wet leaves, or enough wind noise to cover your steps
practice shooting from your knees at least a few shots every time you shoot.
Walking with the wind is a good recipe for an uneventful hike.
If you are purposely trying to stalk deer, you can't move slow enough. And you can't stop often enough. The key is to see them before they see or hear you. You can't do that if you never stop, and you go too fast.
I have spent way too much time tinkering with ways to get up a tree. I do it, if the situation screams for it. And I almost always leave the truck with my gear to get up a tree.
But I walk until I find deer in the flesh, or the type of sign that indicates they're within 100 yards of me. Then I find an ambush spot. If that spot has a suitable tree to climb, and it will increase my odds enough to climb it, I do. If not, I find a spot to kill them from the ground. If neither exist, I keep walking.
I don't wear a ghillie suit. Sometimes I don't wear camo.
I'm not special. I'm not particularly good at hunting or shooting or hiding.
Tips for shooting them on the ground:
wet leaves, or enough wind noise to cover your steps
practice shooting from your knees at least a few shots every time you shoot.
Walking with the wind is a good recipe for an uneventful hike.
If you are purposely trying to stalk deer, you can't move slow enough. And you can't stop often enough. The key is to see them before they see or hear you. You can't do that if you never stop, and you go too fast.
