Hi guys, I'm thinking of trying to deer hunt on the ground this season. Any tips? I've had bad luck with tree stands in general and would prefer not to mess with them. I know i need to set up with wind blowing in my face and blowing away from where deer are coming from. But wanted to hear from those who hunt like this. I've only been deer hunting for about a year and I hunt public land so i can't leave blinds in the woods. Thanks!
Bow12345
I am a public land hunter only. I don't mess with tree stands or blinds. I just use the natural cover I can find and understand the wind, and the environment I am in. Scent control and more importantly noise/motion control is key IMO. I try to find less pressured area and maybe the areas that are less attractive to the "easy hunters". What I mean is I will walk a bit further in, or go through harder areas. I look for more challenging areas. Over the last two years I have found two really nice less hunting places with good deer traffic. It takes work but you can be successful. I also like to hunt alone as well, besides my young son. Just amazing for me to hunt this way. Lots of trial and error with some areas but if you learn the land you can do well. This is my second season bow hunting on public land and I have really enjoyed it. Probably the most satisfying hunting I have done in my 30 years of hunting. Very therapeutic for me.
My first season results:
Shot was a little low/behind but got super lucky and got a lung. Not my biggest, heaviest or prettiest deer I have ever harvested, but by far my favorite most rewarding deer ever.
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My first season results:
Shot was a little low/behind but got super lucky and got a lung. Not my biggest, heaviest or prettiest deer I have ever harvested, but by far my favorite most rewarding deer ever.
Find a comfortable folding chair or stool that is not a burden to carry, as sitting on the ground for long periods gets pretty uncomfortable. Carry nippers and a folding saw in your pack, if it is legal to trim brush. Look for blowdowns, tree tops, thickets, etc that are near active trails and nestle in without changing the overall look or building a sweat lodge. Scout year around for trails, as well as bedding and feeding areas that change over the course of the seasons. Of course play the wind and consider a leafy suit such as ASAT that blends with a wide variety of habitat and also rustles a bit in the breeze like real brush. As soon as you leave the vehicle, start thinking in predator mode rather than stomping in to a spot like a typical human....learn to still hunt by moving very slowly and using your eyes more than your feet.
Blow over and big trees, clusters of close growing mature trees, cedar trees. I've ground hunted over the last 20 years with a bow. Your gonna be drawn to open spots but resist that. Find a spot where your not siloeted* and can shoot from cover to the open areas. Wait for deer heads to go behind trees or facing away from you to draw it's a challenge when doe's come in with three or four. Play the wind and find you a comfortable ground seat I use seat mats.I do a lot of standing too. Practice shooting from a kneeling position as well is very important. I've killed several from a kneeling position. The freedom of ground hunting is awesome. Scratch you out a big spot and relax. If you don't like it move somewhere else. And it doesn't take 20 mins to climb down and pack 20 pounds more around. Good luck this season.
Very good advice from the above posts. I hunt public land as well with some steep slopes so don’t forget about the thermals. You know air rising and falling
Two of my biggest public land bucks have come from the ground. One was less than 200 yards from the truck. The other was a hair over a mile. Countless does! It’s easier than you’d think. I like to lean up against a tree and stay there. Tuck into a bush if you can. I don’t sit. That’s a horrible disadvantage. Don’t think too much about it.
Find a spot where deer will be, set up accordingly and expect them to come from a completely different area.
Again. don’t sit. This is one of the worst things you can do.
Find a spot where deer will be, set up accordingly and expect them to come from a completely different area.
Again. don’t sit. This is one of the worst things you can do.
Things to consider that may help you hunting public on the ground. The more you can apply the better;
reduce your scent by washing clothes and bathing with only baking soda
wind direction
stay out of deer's direct line of sight
be on higher ground
rising and setting sun to your back
be in the shadows
have a solid backdrop so you're not silhouetted
become a part of a natural structure
be hid on both sides until a deer enters shooting lanes
stay still when you hear something behind you
get a leaf/ghil suit, or 2, or more
spray clothes until damp, and let dry before wearing, with a mix of 1oz 10%permethrin(tractor supply) to 24oz water for ticks, repeat in 4-6 weeks or after 6 washes
practice shooting from sitting/kneeling positions
move and scout often looking for new places with fresher sign
always have bow ready to shoot and stay alert.
Moving around and exploring the 10s of thousands of acres is what I like the most about hunting public land on the ground. Being able to move quickly to get closer to a buck chasing, or getting on the hot doe's trail and waiting for the next buck to follow. Scouting midday for fresh scrapes while stillhunting, getting into thicker areas where there are no good trees for treesatand hunters. Shot angle is better. Being so close on the same level.
I know I probably forgot some stuff, like doing very minimal calling with grunts or rattling that will let bucks pinpoint where you are and bring them in on high alert. And stay off your phone. I'll add if I think of more.
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reduce your scent by washing clothes and bathing with only baking soda
wind direction
stay out of deer's direct line of sight
be on higher ground
rising and setting sun to your back
be in the shadows
have a solid backdrop so you're not silhouetted
become a part of a natural structure
be hid on both sides until a deer enters shooting lanes
stay still when you hear something behind you
get a leaf/ghil suit, or 2, or more
spray clothes until damp, and let dry before wearing, with a mix of 1oz 10%permethrin(tractor supply) to 24oz water for ticks, repeat in 4-6 weeks or after 6 washes
practice shooting from sitting/kneeling positions
move and scout often looking for new places with fresher sign
always have bow ready to shoot and stay alert.
Moving around and exploring the 10s of thousands of acres is what I like the most about hunting public land on the ground. Being able to move quickly to get closer to a buck chasing, or getting on the hot doe's trail and waiting for the next buck to follow. Scouting midday for fresh scrapes while stillhunting, getting into thicker areas where there are no good trees for treesatand hunters. Shot angle is better. Being so close on the same level.
I know I probably forgot some stuff, like doing very minimal calling with grunts or rattling that will let bucks pinpoint where you are and bring them in on high alert. And stay off your phone. I'll add if I think of more.
I like to use a camp chair and a leafy poncho. I sit in blow downs and under pine trees. On public ground use other hunters to your advantage, as they push deer towards you. Practice shooting from a seated position.
Sitting works for me, however the chair must be comfortable and high enough off the ground to allow for bow clearance. No low slung turkey chairs, they work great for gun hunting, but not for archery. Another good chair I use is called the Summit trophy chair tree seat. Straps to a tree and is very comfortable. I have had mine for a long time, not sure if they make it anymore.
Sitting works for me, however the chair must be comfortable and high enough off the ground to allow for bow clearance. No low slung turkey chairs, they work great for gun hunting, but not for archery. Another good chair I use is called the Summit trophy chair tree seat. Straps to a tree and is very comfortable. I have had mine for a long time, not sure if they make it anymore.
Try not to disturb the area by leaving scent all around, or by doing more trimming than is absolutely needed. If you stumble on a good looking spot with fresh sign, don't do a lot of walking around. Stand there and look around for the best spot to hide, with the least amount of disturbance by having to change the surroundings by trimming or making something. Apply whatever you can from what I listed before. The first time in a new spot is the best time. Deer have not yet had the chance to know you are/were there by scent left behind.
Scout after the season is over for new places and make natural blinds for next season.
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Rainy day spot
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Drainage ditch in the middle of a field,3' deep. Use your imagination with what you have to work with.
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More later. Want to get out into the woods now with the cooler temps.
Scout after the season is over for new places and make natural blinds for next season.
Rainy day spot
Drainage ditch in the middle of a field,3' deep. Use your imagination with what you have to work with.
More later. Want to get out into the woods now with the cooler temps.
Dumb deaf and blind button buck stayed right there in the acorns below my blind as I walked past.
I’ve had luck hunting on the ground but always had a lot more confidence in a tree. I feel like I can relax more when deer I’m not going to shoot are passing through.
These pictures have me drooling for September. Something special about immersing yourself in surroundings and being still.
I started ground hunting a couple of years ago and with a bow I need a seat. I use either a Millennium tree seat a Millennium swivel stool, this gives me a bit more maneuverability over sitting on the ground, especially the Millennium stool because it swivels. What I don’t like is not being able to see very far like in a stand plus all of the ground clutter, I feel much safer in a stand on public land.
Besides being freed from a stand, these shots from last season are why I like ground hunting the most. Sometimes the deer are so close I can't even move to shoot with the camera
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Most of my hunting have been on land. I don’t get the accuracy on tree. But on land it always perfect
Other advantages from shooting from a tree is the downward angle give me a hole on the lower part of the deer for better blood trails, plus on shots that pass through the arrow is sticking in the ground close to the shot.
Hunting Gear Deals just published an article about hunting public land that you might find interesting.
10 Ways to Increase Your Odds When Hunting Public Land
10 Ways to Increase Your Odds When Hunting Public Land
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