This year I want to hunt on the ground, without a blind. using natural cover and surroundings. Compound bow. Any experienced feedback would help.
Bow hunting white tails from the ground.
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arrow lobber
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I grew up still hunting as a kid. I shot a 130+ whitetail at 4 yards with a rifle.. That deer is what made me want to try bow hunting. I normally shoot 80+ pound bows. A couple years ago I put 60 lb mods on my mathews.
I can draw the Bow almost laying in my lap.
Every deer I've killed has been with in 20 yards so speed hasn't been an issue..
I've had the best luck locating a feeding tree early in the season. White oaks are a favorite food where I am. I just sit against a tree close to the feed tree. I've also had good luck easing through the woods like I was squirrel hunting..
If you think you are moving slow enough, slow down. I take a step or 2 and stand there for 15 min. Another step and wait 5 min etc.. move just enough that the scenery changes. This works really well during the rut and when you are in a new area. You can explore while hunting..
If you want to really see something interesting,
Try rattling during peak rut.. There's a 4 or 5 day window in Texas where I hunt that the bucks will run over you rattling in thick brush on the ground..
I can draw the Bow almost laying in my lap.
Every deer I've killed has been with in 20 yards so speed hasn't been an issue..
I've had the best luck locating a feeding tree early in the season. White oaks are a favorite food where I am. I just sit against a tree close to the feed tree. I've also had good luck easing through the woods like I was squirrel hunting..
If you think you are moving slow enough, slow down. I take a step or 2 and stand there for 15 min. Another step and wait 5 min etc.. move just enough that the scenery changes. This works really well during the rut and when you are in a new area. You can explore while hunting..
If you want to really see something interesting,
Try rattling during peak rut.. There's a 4 or 5 day window in Texas where I hunt that the bucks will run over you rattling in thick brush on the ground..
It's way harder and will probably make you a better hunter.
I'd invest in a leafy suit top and get one with a hood or use a face mask to further break up your outline. People like the ASAT one, but there is no hood so you have to wear a mask and that is a dealbreaker. Mine has a hood and then I use face paint.
You'll probably want a small seat, like a tripod one.
You'll learn a lot as you go.
I'll add if you are going to use natural cover, then you might as well also make simple blinds.....not the big ones that are semi permanent or the little ones that you can hardly shoot inside....instead I'm talking camo cloth in your backpack with paracord then 4 or so bamboo tomato stakes bungee corded and used in one hand as a walking stick.....find a spot and use the cloth as a blind without a top or necessarily a back and then brush it in....with that setup and a leafy suit i've had does feeding 10 yards from me with the right wind and they had no idea i was there
it's actually a very exciting way to hunt
Please consider starting a thread and listing the reasons the waldrop is so useful. I've looked at them but it isn't popping out at me why I should get one. You might help folks decide on one. Thanks.
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Pay more attention to your back drop than the cover in front of you for sure and if you did want somthing really light weight to carry in and out that work phenomenal give the ghost blind a try and to echo of what others have said a lot of practice shooting sitting down
I hunt white tails from the ground. I have tried the low turkey seats. No good. You will get busted just as often on the low seats, as you will on a nice full height stool. So you might as well use a comfy chair / stool that is eaiser to shoot from.
The best tip I have for ground hunting. Hunt the deer trail your on. Position yourself so the deer are going past you, not coming at you.
The best tip I have for ground hunting. Hunt the deer trail your on. Position yourself so the deer are going past you, not coming at you.
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They must have had covid and lost their smell............
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I'm not a big fan of leafy suits but if I hunted on the ground I would be. I have hunted on the ground where I can but in my home state it's pretty tough..........so thick it's not to productive.
I used ratchet cutters and make natural blinds.
I used ratchet cutters and make natural blinds.
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I would assume that a blowdown is foliage that has blown over and on the ground like a tree. I could use that as cover and set up an ambush there.
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You'll find a lot of reading and pics here
www.archerytalk.com
Search results for query: natural+blind
www.archerytalk.com
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Reduce your scent by washing clothes in baking soda and shower with it before a hunt, use nothing else.
If you have ticks you're going to want to use permethrin, either already in a tick spray or a much cheaper way is to make your own using 10% permethrin(petroleum based) found at tractor supply. Mix 1 oz permethrin to a minimum of 19 oz water(8oz to 1gl water) and spray clothes until wet, then dry thoroughly on line before wearing. Once dry you can wash them to reduce the odor. 1oz to as much as 26 oz of water also works with less odor. I use the weaker mix to mist them after every few washes to top off the strength.
Leafy suit helps a lot to break up your outline. Stay as still as possible all the time. Be patient, still, and let what is behind you come around.
All the stars rarely align but the more of these things you can do the better;
Don't walk around a lot where you're going to set up
Try to get downwind but a better spot to hide may not be directly downwind. Take the better spot and trust the baking soda. Deer may come from behind you anyway.
Be out of the direct line of sight of a deer. Get as far back as you feel comfortable shooting and off to the side of trails.
Be elevated on higher ground
Have the setting or rising sun to your back. Be in the shadows
Get tucked back into cover with a couple open shooting lanes. Under bushes, in downed trees or treetops, in rocks, or make cover with branches. Use your imagination with what's there. The more solid the cover is behind you the better it is to hide your silhouette. Can also become a part of something instead of trying to hide. Like sitting on top of a rootball or log pile and looking like part of it
Move to shoot only when the deer has no chance of seeing you
Scout throughout the year to find possible spots. Tweaking them before the season starts will give time for the deer to get used to it
If you have ticks you're going to want to use permethrin, either already in a tick spray or a much cheaper way is to make your own using 10% permethrin(petroleum based) found at tractor supply. Mix 1 oz permethrin to a minimum of 19 oz water(8oz to 1gl water) and spray clothes until wet, then dry thoroughly on line before wearing. Once dry you can wash them to reduce the odor. 1oz to as much as 26 oz of water also works with less odor. I use the weaker mix to mist them after every few washes to top off the strength.
Leafy suit helps a lot to break up your outline. Stay as still as possible all the time. Be patient, still, and let what is behind you come around.
All the stars rarely align but the more of these things you can do the better;
Don't walk around a lot where you're going to set up
Try to get downwind but a better spot to hide may not be directly downwind. Take the better spot and trust the baking soda. Deer may come from behind you anyway.
Be out of the direct line of sight of a deer. Get as far back as you feel comfortable shooting and off to the side of trails.
Be elevated on higher ground
Have the setting or rising sun to your back. Be in the shadows
Get tucked back into cover with a couple open shooting lanes. Under bushes, in downed trees or treetops, in rocks, or make cover with branches. Use your imagination with what's there. The more solid the cover is behind you the better it is to hide your silhouette. Can also become a part of something instead of trying to hide. Like sitting on top of a rootball or log pile and looking like part of it
Move to shoot only when the deer has no chance of seeing you
Scout throughout the year to find possible spots. Tweaking them before the season starts will give time for the deer to get used to it
21 - 31 of 31 Posts
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