Trad Gang

How many of you hunt strictly from the ground? I'm planning on this fall to hunt from the ground only.Anyone have some good tips to share?

Thanks

Back cover is as if not more important than something in front of you.

When still hunting.  When you think you are moving slow enough, slow down.  Then after you have slowed down.  Go even slower!

I hunt whitetails 99% of the time. dave is right on BACK COVER is everything. I like a natural blind  downed tree, brush pile. Took most all my deer from the ground(compound kills). But this year I plan on filling a tag with my longbow.  :bigsmyl:  <><

Hunted more from the ground last year than from a tree.  This year, I have no choice, I sold my treestand, so I'm on terra firma for sure!


Lee

Every critter I've ever taken has been from either stalking or from a brush blind.

I HAVE to be a good ground hunter....Too scared of heights.

Cam

Ive been using a pop up,didnt get one with my longbow this year either . HAD to use the wheels cause my pop up was too small to get a good shot..it's gone and relaced with a 91 in the center tall ..THAT will work!

I find a good trail.. lean back against the tree and close my eyes... You'll here em coming! Actually it stops me from being busted by movement as much...

Gonna have ta go to the ground a bit more this year,good trees are always in the wrong dang place!!  

I read Fred Asbell's "Stalking & Still Hunting: The Ground Hunter's Bible" and found it helpful.  The biggest thing that helped, bar none, was I slowed down!  Dakota Kid's advice is right on.  It was the first year I hunted with a bow, and saw more animals then I'd ever seen before.
RonP

Thanks to all who replied.
Have a nice day.

I'm going to do both ground and tree stand. A tree stand gives you a good vantage point to see deer movement that you would otherwise miss, use this as a ground hunting tool.

Sit STILL!!!!! LOL

Only kidding, How about "Be Persistant"

To many people try ground hunting a few times,then give up because "It didn't work"

I fell out of a tree stand aver 20 years ago and I have only been in a tree stand a "handfull" of times since,and MOST of those times I only stayed in it for an hour or two.

Most of my hunting is of the stillhunt/sit style

I also live buy the "leave nothing but footprints" motto. I always wear a good foam seat cushion on my belt and I sit in any spot that I think looks "good" usualy the only thing that will let you know I have "been there" is a small patch of bare ground next to a rock or stump.

I head into the woods at first light,and stillhunt into my "spot" I sit there untill I feel like moving,then I stillhunt to another "spot",when I done for the day I stillhunt my way out of the woods.

It works for me.....and I think I've become pretty good at it over the last 20 years or so.   :archer:

Good Luck My Friend!!!!!

Hey David...loved you in The Fugitive series.  

 :p  

Walk three steps, then look for thirty.  Patience, Grasshopper.  It is the key.

Oh yes...as soon as you stretch and look around, you will be busted.

Only the ground for me too.  Have taken some good bucks by spot and stalk.  I also like to set up using one of those 3-legged stools from Wal-mart.  They don't weigh much and I can pick up and move easily.  I also like my Rancho Safari ghillie suit.  You can disappear in that thing.  Good luck groundpounding!  When you kill one on the ground you'll have trouble climbin' back in that tree!

For me it is mostly ground now also. All the advice above is great. Have not taken one from the ground yet, but that is my fault. Don't get too close to the trials, this takes a little experience.

To me one of the most important thing is figuring out how to be comfortable. If you are not "comfy" you can not sit still. Some guys can just lean against a tree and that is all they need. You will just have to try things to see what works for you.

Last year was the first year I really hunted more from the ground than trees.

RayMO

Since I bought my 'Shaggie Suit' I hunt from the ground all the time.  I have had deer within touching distance on several occasions.  Like they said, slow down.

Dennis

Move like a cat, only don,t twitch your tail, Just kidding only not really, I have never shot a deer from a tree, wished I had more patience, Best advice go early stay late and never give up. Hunting from the ground usually extends your season at least mine because I usually don,t have enough patience, But my one positive attribute is my bullheadeness, Man when you do things right its great, The best ground hunting for me is usually when the weather is the worst. So when you see it pouring,blizzard, howling wind, etc. get excited because them days are made just for me.

From the ground only.  I also use a 3-legged stool and will use a ghillie suit for the first time this year.  As stated above, back cover is very important and move slowly.

Ground hunting only for me too ! I like to put a good sweatshirt in my day pack, i use that to sit on. Good back cover is a must, and wind in you'r face also, if you can help it.

Good luck to you !

I've never seen a need to limit myself to one style of hunting. I hunt hogs on the ground 12 months a year....also deer. I hunt deer from treestands, bears from treestands and the ground, turkeys from blinds and NOT- it's whatever suits me that day. It's all fun....

I flipped a farm tractor 2 years ago and was pinned under it, I walked away with only bumps and bruises. Until this time I hunted from trees and enjoyed it, but after this I can't climb a tree or drive on the highway without panic attacks. So I've become a gound hunter and a backroads driver. Don't know why this is connected but I do know I've seen about three times more deer now. I think it comes from being more aware of the small details like changing spots,keeping all gear and myself scent-free and working the wind. I've taken a seven point and four point whitetail the last two years from 7 yards. You'll do fine.

I think that ground hunting/stalking and trad gear go together like white on rice! Did some tree stand hunting for black bear in Maine. A tree stand was a good idea for that! When it comes to deer in my home state, well I'm stalking! Being eye level with game is a blast in itself.

Have Fun!
... mike ...

You have a PM.....

Hey "pit-blind" Mike!!!!! You mean "belly level" don't you?????   :bigsmyl:

Rainy and wet days are my ground hunting days.  Sure wish it was wet more in hunting season.  

Don't break a twig or the jig is up in my experience.

G Fred's book on the subject is awesome   :thumbsup: