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Tips for Hunting on the Ground

HottyToddy said:
I did this for 2 years before I got my climber…
First piece of advice - get a climber lol. It's not too late, they're readily available (used on FB or this forum if money is a limiting factor). I've seen 10x as many deer from a tree than I did on the ground.

Anyway, to answer your question. Comfort is key. Being at their eye level, you can't fidget. Whether that means a cushion on the ground or a chair up against a tree (what I did), you have to be comfortable or they'll see you before you see them. I would always set up against a tree wider than myself (both for comfort and to conceal silhouette). I would try to have some cover in front of me as well, but couldn't be blocking my ability to shoot. It's tough off the ground. People are far more successful than I was, but it is possible.
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Good advice but if you don't want to use a pop up those cheep ground blind fences are good. They fold up small. I use a turkey ground chair backed up to a large tree and stake the fence in front of me. Works good but you still must move very carefully. Those ground turkey/deer chairs are very comfortable. I need to sell my climber. To much of a hassle for this old guy.
 
Just go do it is my advice. Start aggressive and you'll soon find out what you can and can't get by with. You'll be surprised. Every situation is a little different but often times you can be very close to deer without them knowing it. Being a predator is built in to you. You'll naturally be better at it than you might think.
 
Wow! I am so grateful for all the responses. All great info abs really pointed out some big mistakes I'm already making. I appreciate this community so much and I thank you all for the feedback. Can't wait to put all the info to good use.
 
I would play the wind, like you mentioned, and setup how I would when turkey hunting. Would spend a little money to get a stake blind to cover movement and well as a turkey seat…something like camo netting that you can place around you to help hide movement and still allow you to shoot over the top of the net. Deer are trying to stay alive and will pick up on movement at eye level so anything you can do to hide your movement and stay comfortable to sit longer. Those are my thoughts.
 
I just remembered this, funny looking back on it but was mad at the time. Had pics of a trespasser walking by my camera several years ago that me and a buddy nicknamed Harry Potter. This fella wore what looked to be an oversized cloak into the woods. We assumed he was using it to cover his legs once he sat down. Halloween is coming up so if you see any camo or drab colored cloaks online you better order it quickly. 😂
 
I climbed down from the trees several years ago with the sole purpose of the challenge that ground hunting presents with a bow and arrow. I use a homemade ghillie suit stuffed in a backpack and a stool strapped on. I still have an occasional bad encounter, but this style has definitely made me a better hunter. Limit your movement to eyeballs only and position yourself for your expected shot. With that said, and I can't emphasize this enough, wind obviously is important, but thermals will reck your day if you don't understand how the move throughout the terrain. Sinking and rising thermals are no big secret, but how they are redirected due to the layout of terrain, trees, bluffs, creeks, etc. are crucial for success. When thermals change, you must change too or it's game over. It's not uncommon for me to move several times throughout the day, especially mornings, to accommodate this change. Milkweed wind floaters will be one of your most valuable tools you carry into the woods.
 
I hunt from the ground quite a bit with firearms. With a bow, I much prefer to be in a tree, but have killed a few with bows with my feet planted on terra firma.

Try to take advantage of blowdowns, tree laps, or multi-trunked trees near deer sign whenever possible. Get tucked back in them and make a nest that allows you freedom to maneuver with your weapon of choice.

The hardest part for me has been when targeting specific deer when others are filtering through the area. If those deer show first, that's a lot of eyes and noses to fool.

The easiest times have been during the rut and bucks are less wary, when I've been after any deer.

Best of luck. Ground hunting is a lot of fun, and the true definition of "going in light."
 
TnBob said:
I've ordered a Waldrop pac seat for this season. They are a little pricey but I think it will pay for its self. It can also be used to pack meat out of the woods. Hoping it gets here soon. I'm almost 62 and getting a little leary of tree stands. Probably will get some sort of leafy suit or ghillie suit for bow hunting. I also have a Millinium tree seat that is very comfortable but you have to have the right size tree in the right place for it. The Waldrop can be leaned against a tree or can be free standing.
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You will love it. Hunted with mine last year. Hauled my buck out with it.
 
TnBob said:
I've ordered a Waldrop pac seat for this season. They are a little pricey but I think it will pay for its self. It can also be used to pack meat out of the woods. Hoping it gets here soon. I'm almost 62 and getting a little leary of tree stands. Probably will get some sort of leafy suit or ghillie suit for bow hunting. I also have a Millinium tree seat that is very comfortable but you have to have the right size tree in the right place for it. The Waldrop can be leaned against a tree or can be free standing.
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Love my seat. First season with it last year. Packed my buck out of the woods with it.
 
Yogi965 said:
Love my seat. First season with it last year. Packed my buck out of the woods with it.
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How long did it take to get yours? I ordered mine almost 3 weeks ago and still don't have it. I called about a week after I ordered it and one of the guys there (not Mr Waldrop) was not very friendly on the phone.
 
You can't beat a Millennium Tree Seat for mobility and being packable and easy to set up. Pick a tree big enough to cover your back and set up with the wind in your face. Clear the leaves out from under your feet, and use a shooting stick. You can set up in a couple of minutes and move as needed, if you see you aren't in the best spot. I have killed a bunch of deer going into a new area and setting up like this.
 
TnBob said:
How long did it take to get yours? I ordered mine almost 3 weeks ago and still don't have it. I called about a week after I ordered it and one of the guys there (not Mr Waldrop) was not very friendly on the phone.
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I think it was a couple weeks, could have been three?. Hopefully you get yours soon. I just received one of the larger game sacks. That took a week. Maybe they are trying to catch up on orders and ship in batches? I did the pillow case method Nick shows on his Nutterbuster YouTube channel. Goodluck
 
CliffordN said:
You can't beat a Millennium Tree Seat for mobility and being packable and easy to set up. Pick a tree big enough to cover your back and set up with the wind in your face. Clear the leaves out from under your feet, and use a shooting stick. You can set up in a couple of minutes and move as needed, if you see you aren't in the best spot. I have killed a bunch of deer going into a new area and setting up like this.
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I had one set up that was on a short, steep slope. I actually was sitting just above the gound, but my legs were comfortably reaching the ground. I set up a make-shift blind with some sticks and hunted from that spot all year. Got a couple and saw a whole bunch of deer. I'm thinking about setting up there again. Since my treestand to a hit and I haven't fixed it yet.
 
Billboy said:
I often use a folding low slung "turkey chair" during M/L and Rifle season. Set up close to blowdowns/bushes/whatever cover is available. Where I hunt is pretty steep, so I set up to watch below me if the wind allows. Worst case I will watch up into a bowl where there are known contour trails if the wind forces me to.
These Hammock seats work pretty well too.
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The hammock seats are much more comfortable than sitting on the ground. The are also light and small when traveling in the woods.
 
Use scent wafers
I put one on my hat and one on the inside of the blind.
I routinely have deer come within 10 yards of my blind.
Also set your blind up a week or so before the season to air out.
Also get a shooting stick.
 
Yogi965 said:
I think it was a couple weeks, could have been three?. Hopefully you get yours soon. I just received one of the larger game sacks. That took a week. Maybe they are trying to catch up on orders and ship in batches? I did the pillow case method Nick shows on his Nutterbuster YouTube channel. Goodluck
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I ordered the smaller sack with mine. Might should have ordered the bigger one. Wish I could find a Badlands Silent Stalker pack like Nick uses strapped onto his pac seat.
 
TnBob said:
I ordered the smaller sack with mine. Might should have ordered the bigger one. Wish I could find a Badlands Silent Stalker pack like Nick uses strapped onto his pac seat.
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I did carry a backpack for awhile but got a little heavy. Bought the Summit Deluxe Front Storage Bag. Worked great and carried everything I needed. Got it at Bass Pro Shops
 
Yogi965 said:
I did carry a backpack for awhile but got a little heavy. Bought the Summit Deluxe Front Storage Bag. Worked great and carried everything I needed. Got it at Bass Pro Shops
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My backpack is heavy. But it also has everything I could possibly need if I get in a bind and have to stay overnight. I started carrying one when I Elk hunted, and never stopped.
 
I usta use a little backpack, sometimes a Fanny pack but a few years ago I took a pair of my brown work pants and sewed big pockets on the lower thighs made from old work pants legs. I get made fun of but that's ok. Now everything goes in the pockets and I don't have to keep up with a pack etc. All my wind checking stuff, drag rope, knife, toilet paper, flashlight, book/ bible, snacks, maybe lunch, it all goes in those pockets and I just go. It's worked pretty well. I'll put a pic on here tomorrow.
 

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