Ground hunting advice.

[dreaming bucks]

Just wondering how you ground hunters set up to blend in? I bought a ghillie suit, but I'm just wondering, do you guys just find a tree top to sit in or behind, or do you just stand behind a tree and then as the deer goes by, lean out a bit and let a arrow fly?

[Stanley]

One of the biggest draw backs of hunting on the ground, "Visibility". I like to use natural brush and have an open window as large as possible. You must also have a good back ground so you are not silhouetted (this is key). I always tried to have brush up to my waste and if at all possible some brush over head. I always had brush up and over my head for the back ground. I always had much better luck deer hunting with a natural blind vs a tent style blind.

[backstraps]

Just like Stanley said.

I try to find something to help me blend...which isn't hard where I hunt. Early season especially. We have wild rose bushes that work great. I shot a doe early season in a ghillie, I could've almost poked the 6 point she was with!

I have also had great luck setting up beside of cedars, or other evergreens too

[dreaming bucks]

Do you guys have a chair to sit for periods at a time, or just stand when possible? I was trying to think ahead to next year for pre rut spots, and I'm guessing I want to stay as comfortable as possible if I have to have sits of 3 or 4 hours, or maybe longer. Or maybe some of you just sit on the ground, but I would think it would be tough to get into position in a hurry when your target is approaching...

[BassBoysLLP]

I'm almost always in a chair. Often tucked into a blow down. However, my best ground set ups are holes. A well placed hole in a clump of conifers is a dynamite set up.

[dreaming bucks]

I'm almost always in a chair. Often tucked into a blow down. However, my best ground set ups are holes. A well placed hole in a clump of conifers is a dynamite set up.

So you hand dig a hole to sit in? How deep do you go?

[Zap]

I am thinking he means a hole in the conifers, not a hole in the ground.

I cut a hole in the cedars, slip in and sit on my chair.

You can just sit amongst the trees.....draw when the deers head is out of sight.

[dreaming bucks]

oh ok, now I get it....

[Zap]

If you sit still and the deer are not in your scent stream they will walk past a few feet away.
Its pretty cool, actually.



Their visual acuity is motion based.
Just try to blend and hang out.

Then drop the hammer at the appropriate time.....

[bigwoodsmn]

A key is to be down. Either sitting or kneeling. I got caught in the open last yr and I knelt down and froze and averted my eyes. Two does walked by so close I could almost touch them.They never caught my scent and just kept walking. With a gun I like to get under an evergreen and sit then use little ratcheting clippers to make spots to see and shoot and clear things that are catching on clothing. I always carry those clippers to make impromptu blinds without making noise.

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[Bowhunting Brian]

my advice is to not do what I do. I get busted most of the time. lol. I know a guy that used the ghost blind (the one that is a mirror) and he had success.

[Southern Man]

Do you guys have a chair to sit for periods at a time, or just stand when possible? I was trying to think ahead to next year for pre rut spots, and I'm guessing I want to stay as comfortable as possible if I have to have sits of 3 or 4 hours, or maybe longer. Or maybe some of you just sit on the ground, but I would think it would be tough to get into position in a hurry when your target is approaching...

This year I bought a small tripod stool that swivels. It's lightweight and folds up small for carrying. it doesn't have a back but I can usually find a tree to lean against. Sitting on the ground is tough for bowhunting, trying to get into position for a shot.

I try to find at least a little bit of structure to set up in. I carry a small set of hand pruners and cut a few limbs to stick in front (and back) of me. Even if they don't have leaves, it helps giving some depth to yourself. I don't build a blind or anything close to it. I don't want to change the landscape of the area that much. I just try to blend in with something. I bought an ASAT 3D suit this year that seems to blend in quite well.

[Stanley]

Do you guys have a chair to sit for periods at a time, or just stand when possible? I was trying to think ahead to next year for pre rut spots, and I'm guessing I want to stay as comfortable as possible if I have to have sits of 3 or 4 hours, or maybe longer. Or maybe some of you just sit on the ground, but I would think it would be tough to get into position in a hurry when your target is approaching...

You have to have a chair in my opinion (reduces hunter movement). I always carry a folding camp stool with a saw and nips to get set up. It is more or less Beast style on the ground.

[dreaming bucks]

What about a bow holder, do you just lean it up against something, or do you have some sort of a bow holder that sticks into the ground?

[Swampthing]

I use a ground stake bow holder and a tripod stool. The bow holder really cuts down on movement.

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