From: Kanati
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Date: 03-Mar-18 |
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simple question for you whitetail ground hunters,why do you hunt from the ground?
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From: camodave
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Date: 03-Mar-18 |
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Because of the challenge.
DDave
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From: Woods Walker
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Date: 03-Mar-18 |
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I got bored hunting from trees for 30 years, and I wanted more of a challenge so I started stillhunting on the ground....and did I ever get a challenge! But it also made hunting fun again.
That, and as I got older I got REAL tired of lugging all the gear needed for a treestand hunt around, plus after I tried ground hunting I realized how much more freedom it gives you to move with the conditions.
I haven't been in a tree now for 14 years....and I don't miss it.
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From: George D. Stout
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Date: 03-Mar-18 |
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Because I enjoy it. Couple that with sitting in a tree stand watching a trail is just not what I want to do been there and did that. It's pretty much that simple. I went from getting a deer every year, to one every three years, so yeah...not as productive, but a lot more fun. You learn a lot more on the ground as well and to me, when you do take one, it's a lot more meaningful. That's just me, and I suspect others have reasons of their own.
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From: Andy Man
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Date: 03-Mar-18 |
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personally for me its more exciting and comfortable
and less stuff to drag in and out of the woods, and I'm not as agile anymore as I was when much younger
thats it in a nutshell for me
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From: Woods Walker
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Date: 03-Mar-18 |
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I actually see and get close to just as many deer as I did in the trees and maybe even a bit more. The hard part is getting a shot off. But that's what makes it fun.
I was also amazed at the number a nice bucks I see hunting this way. I gun hunt this way too and have shot the majority of the biggest bucks I've killed on the ground.
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From: DeerSpotter
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Date: 03-Mar-18 |
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Deer are now use to looking up !!!
So they're easier to hunt on the ground now, don't you think ???
Once you have gotten within 3 yards, 5 feet 10 feet, and you can count the eyelashes, you will be hooked on hunting on the ground.
" the challenge "
Carl <------------<<<<
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From: David McLendon
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Date: 03-Mar-18 |
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I hunted from trees since I was 14 years old because that's just what you did. Friday before Memorial Day 2007 and the week before GA bow season opened I blew out an ACL, it as go to the ground or not hunt that year. I bought a Double Bull blind, used it and hated that thing for multiple reasons, but after healing up I was still-hunting, sometimes in a ghillie, getting closer to game than ever before, and now you can go back up and re-read Woods Walker's answer because from that point, mine and his reasons are the same. I became an active hunter and learned new skills and got better at what I do, rather than sitting and waiting in a promising spot.
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From: Burly
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Date: 03-Mar-18 |
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Health reasons is the number one reason I stay on the ground. After two back surgeries and having a bad knee it's just easier to hunt more comfortable on the ground. Sometimes I use a pop up blind but the majority of the time I just use natural blinds that I make in the spring.
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From: LBshooter
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Date: 03-Mar-18 |
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Challenge and exciting as heck when deer approach. Plus I don't bounce when I hit the ground, I'd break.
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From: Woods Walker
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Date: 03-Mar-18 |
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What else I love about it is that when I do it I use ALL my skills and senses. It's almost like I'm in another state of consciousness. I know that sounds crazy but it's true. I see, hear, smell and even sense things at a level that I just about never do in the regular parts of my life. And it's INTENSE...in a good way, a VERY good way. Little tiny things like a leaf turned the opposite way of the others around it, a blade of grass not quite lying like the other, and many other subtle signs that I'd otherwise not even notice, all become like a glaring neon sign.
It's when you experience this that you begin to get a sense of how DEER detect things like this in their home environment. That's what you're competing with.
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From: moleman 1
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Date: 03-Mar-18 |
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I love the challenge of it, plus the pure simplicity of it, with Mother Nature supplying all the blinds I need. My bow, haversack and folding stool is all I require. I will also add that the first time you experience the adreniline rush of being eye to eye and nose to nose with youre quarry, youll never climb again......your hoooked on ground hunting!
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From: lv2bohunt
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Date: 03-Mar-18 |
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I hunt on the ground when the topography or the weather or the deer movement or when I just want to. I hunt from trees, still hunt and hunt from blinds. Whatever the day calls for. I don’t like to put limits on myself when I hunt so I do it all.
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From: Roadrunner
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Date: 03-Mar-18 |
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Way more exciting.
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From: fdp
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Date: 03-Mar-18 |
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Because it's about 10 times more versatile than hunting from a tree. I don't have to lug a bunch of stuff in and out of the woods. I can change locations any time I want to with a minimum of movement and noise. It gives me better shot angles. It gives me better after shot feedback on where the shot went, and how effective it actually was. I can be much warmer than someone hunting from a tree with les clothing because I can actually position myself to use natural wind breaks.
And those are just some of the reasons.
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From: George D. Stout
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Date: 03-Mar-18 |
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It was a simple question. "simple question for you whitetail ground hunters,why do you hunt from the ground?"
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From: TGbow
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Date: 03-Mar-18 |
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Since 1975 I've hunted 90% on the ground...maybe closer to 100%.
I've always liked the idea of treestands but hunting public land I just dont like to fool with extra stuff. This past season I decided to buy a treestand since I sold mine over 10 yrs ago. Bought a hang on but dont care for foolin with all the straps. Gave it away. Bought a climber, but decided I would just stay on the ground.
I like the simplicity of hunting on the ground. I didn't realize until this season that the main reason I like it is for the simplicity, I do like the challenge too.
DeerSpotter hit on something. I think treestands are a good way to hunt but I have found I can hide better on the ground than I can in a tree. Seems like trees with cover are not always where I need them. I think DeerSpotter is right..I think deer have adapted to look for danger above.
I did give the climber away also.
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From: Woods Walker
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Date: 03-Mar-18 |
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Okay...simple answer, at least for me.....
Because when I'm on the ground I'm HUNTING them and not just waiting for them.
I can promise you this too....when you hunt this way you'll never need a book or a cell phone to "pass the time", as you'll ALWAYS have plenty to occupy yourself with. In fact time will go by fast. Many times I'll be slowly moving and see/hear something or THINK I see/hear something and I'll stand stock still for what seems like 5 minutes when in fact it's been a 1/2 hour. And forget the watch. You won't need it. If you look at your watch while hunting this way you're doing it wrong. Deer don't have watches and "time" means an entirely different thing to them. You have to get on their level.
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From: David McLendon
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Date: 03-Mar-18 |
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"It was a simple question. "simple question for you whitetail ground hunters,why do you hunt from the ground?"
It's more fun...
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From: tonto59
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Date: 03-Mar-18 |
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IMHI, You get the most out of the bow hunting experience when you take a deer on the ground. That's why you should try it. It's a big part of the journey. I feel when you accomplish taking a deer on the ground. Then you really earn the title Bow Hunter.
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From: moleman 1
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Date: 03-Mar-18 |
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x2 Woods Walker, I guess I missed the punch line.
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From: Rick Barbee
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Date: 03-Mar-18 |
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For the visual aspect of it, I actually prefer hunting elevated, because I can generally see more, and farther that way, BUT hunting from the ground allows me to adjust where I need to be, and do it quickly which will often lead to a shot opportunity I would not have had from a tree.
Works well on deer, and even better on pigs. I love my ghillie suit.
Rick
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From: sir misalots
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Date: 03-Mar-18 |
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Nothing like eye level encounters Nothing
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From: TDHunter
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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Didn't have time to put up a stand, killed one at 10 yards passing on a scrape line..........was awesome
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From: Nordland
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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Stalking & Still-Hunting - that's the challenge!
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From: Mountain Man
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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I mix it up I still hunt from a tree but use my blinds and stalk Depends on weather,time of the year etc But i use a different bow in a tree stand then i do off the ground Basicly for myself its another way to hunt,,gota have options I enjoy the challenge of stalking I will admit to taking more big game animals from the air I missed a shot on a black bear from the ground once,,,,what a rush! Took me an hour to come down off the adrenaline
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From: hawkeye in PA
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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X3 Woods Walker, and simplicity. Don't need all of todays "modern hunting necessities" to go on a simple hunt.
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From: ground hunter
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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I shot a 152 score buck at 9 yards, I was the last thing he saw, before he knew his screw up, and if that does not get you pumped, your a lost soul........... that was a late season kill, and during late season, I hunt on the ground............
I hunt, first and foremost, on what is the advantage,,,, some times it is in trees, both hang on and climber used, other times, it is sitting in a chair, in a creek, by a blow down, watching them cross a beaver dam.........
I love pit blinds, they are deadly as death,,,,,,, So I hunt where the deer are, and the terrain and situation dictates how I hunt,,,,,,, it is that simple
With a ML, my side lock, I track, only because it is just fun, and will take anything legal,,,, that hunt, is more about tradition, and lunch fires etc
I so a lot of bear hunting, and baiting,,,,, I only hunt bears from the ground,,,,, I use to hunt them at about 10 feet up, for the shot angle, but the ground set ups, are more effective, for the shot
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From: ground hunter
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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One more thing, I am surprised that more compound shooters, do not hunt from the ground, that bow was designed for killing from the ground with the let off,,,,,,,,,,
One thing I do, both in hill country, a little harder in the north here, but I found this works well, when hunting ridges, is that I try to hunt below the deer, as much as possible......
by that I mean, I have areas here, where the ridges, surround big swamps, and I will set up, downhill from the pinch points, and look up, towards the trail,,,,,,, the deer seem not to expect that,,,,,,
so yes I do practice, shooting up hill, from knees or chair....
One of the best tools I have found for ground hunting, came from Wyoming,,,, there I bought a set of knee pads, designed for antelope hunting,,,, I can not tell you, how effective they are on deer up here,,,, easy to wear, and I just can kneel down, and sit on my rump for a long time, and kneel for the shot in comfort,,,,,,
just some ideas,,,,,,,,, stay healthy on the trail
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From: Stucky
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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It sort of goes back to that whole debate, what is it that you want to get out of it and what do you hope to accomplish. "Define hunting," you have to do that for yourself. For me, it means being in touch with my sorroundings and trusting to my senses while in active per suit of my quarry.
No question, hunting in a tree gives killing advantages over being on the ground and I have had many very cool and amazing moments sitting in trees. For myself, I find that I experience and learn so much more on the ground. When I loose focus, I might sit down for a bit or simply fling a few arrows and then keep movin. I can assure you that if you ever get to where you have walked up on top of a deer on its bed, you'll never forget It and want to repeat it!
Try this and then report back. After sitting on your stand for the morning, climb down, have a snack and a drink, nock up an arrow and start moving. Go slow, as slow as you're patience and fitness can stand. Follow the contours and try not to move in the open. Let you're conscious thought take a back seat and emerge yourself in the moment. Each step every approach you make, you don't always have to know why.
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From: S. North
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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What's the joke comment mean
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From: PECO
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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I just enjoy being on the ground. I am not comfortable 20 feet in the air on a tiny hang on platform then bending over to shoot. I would possibly enjoy a quality ladder stand though with a large platform. Quality stands are expensive and I'm cheap. There are more options when I ground hunt, I have many spots to choose vs having multiple stands all over the property.
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From: hawkeye in PA
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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Things have changed, go back fortyfive years I learnt the area, scouted, placed a stand and quite often arrowed a buck the first week. Of course you have to realize in those years any deer with a bow was considered a trophy. Minimal investment was needed, a ten year old bow and a sharp broadhead still worked.
Then the Whitetail magazine hit the market followed by VHS tapes. Two legged quad scouting evolved into 4 wheel quad scouting and trail cams replaced the woods lore part.........
What is the cost of shooting a deer in todays world?
Food plots, tracors, side by sides, leases, scent control and now electronic scent control It's has to be a grand a pound for some. But as I said before to each their own.
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From: PECO
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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I can only imagine the joke comment is that it is not a simple question.
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From: timex
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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Not to speak for Shawn but I feel we view things the same. When I go deer (hunting) I plan on bringing home venison Wether it be from a tree stand-stalking-still hunting-deer driving-ground blind whatever the given situation calls for to get the job done to bring home some food the old fashioned way.(TO HUNT) The joke is some of you are so eccentric in your way of thinking. Like an Indian was (any less a hunter) cause he shot a deer from a perch on a tree limb like a predator
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From: MTQUIVER
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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Better shot angles for the most part, but they are NOT easier to hunt from the ground in my opinion. More scent to try to control as one's scent pattern disperses a bit differently and the closer game gets to your location, the easier it is for them to pick you up. Its also a lot safer and that tends to come into play the older I get. LOL Pretty tough at times to get drawn and release an arrow at times; still, I Love bowhunting game from the ground.
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From: col buca
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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I enjoy it much more .
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From: Iwander
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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If the wind is suited for it- for the sake of more broadside shot opportunities.
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From: timex
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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One of my absolute favorite & efectiv ways to hunt is sneaking into the wind in standing corn on a windy day. Talk about exciting. However I've killed many a deer between 10am & 2pm from a tree stand in a whiteoak flat on the side of a mountain its all hunting to me
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From: Iwander
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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My mistake- Only mule deer and hogs out here.
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From: throwback
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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I hunt from the ground for the up close and personal, heart pounding, eye to eye rush I get from it. If I could bottle the way I feel trying to get my bow into position and drawn on a deer at close range, I think I could put every drug dealer in the country out of business overnight.
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From: lawdy
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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We have a deer density of 1 per square mile up here. You have to move around to even find a deer. Ground hunting is all I know. Besides, at 71, the last thing I need to do is to spend all day sitting when I could be getting exercise. My sitting comes in late afternoon where a blowdown becomes my instant blind, usually a long ways from the road. Finally, it is fun. Last fall I had 5 shots on bucks groundhunting. Brush deflected two shots, one was a plain miss, and two connected. Up here you have to be in the woods and put on the miles, both hunting and scouting. Shawn, I don't groundhunt for an excuse, it's what I learned from great hunters as a kid.
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From: moleman 1
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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I hunt from the ground, I use wood shafts, I hunt with 50's ERA bows, I prefer plaid to camo and I dont kill something everytime I sit on stand, not to mention being busted by far more deer than I shoot at. I obviously need to re-evaluate my status as a hunter, why I hunt and why I even bother going into the woods. Its obvious that simply enjoying the hunt by doing it my way is wrong. SiGHHHHHHHHHHHH!! Im a failure.
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From: George D. Stout
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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I find it better for me, both in seeing deer and getting opportunities. Maybe because I always second-guessed myself when I put up a tree stand. Add to that I can't stand not seeing what's going on across the ridge or up the valley. It's a statement as to why we do it, not why we don't. I'm not even saying I won't ever use a tree stand again, but for me, it's not as far to fall when your feet are on the ground, and the anticipation of what may be around the next bend is overwhelming.
If you get butt-hurt just by words here, then you have more issues than can be resolved on a forum.
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From: buckabow
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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I agree with mountain man I do both.
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From: chazz847
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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I had a very bad fall from a treestand a number of years ago and was lucky that I wasn't killed. At 71 years young, my wife wants me to still be here for her.
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From: Kanati
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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Got the Hunters Seat,the one big jim sells. I took it for a walk and was able to hide against rocks and blow downs. Might try it this fall.
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From: TGbow
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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I think the treestand theory of eliminating more scent is that...just a theory.
My theory is if you're elevated more of your scent is carried to a broader area.
Just a theory. I like treestands if they are preset but the ground is simpler. Another thing about being on the ground I like is I usually have more shooting lanes vs being up in a tree, of course the terrain will dictate that but where I hunt the canopy usually restricts my shooting area in a treestand.
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From: fdp
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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Shawn....how do you know this to be true "The joke is the reason folks ground hunt, most guys who ground hunt did not kill many deer from trees either"?
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From: S. North
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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I've been ground hunting since 1993. I've had pretty good success with it
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From: David McLendon
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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I stopped my pitiful unsuccessful ground endeavor this past season... When I ran out of freezer space.
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From: TGbow
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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Lol..David, that's funny.
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From: dean
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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I hunt on the ground for three reasons. !. I do not need to be in a tree to get deer. 2. I pee on my shoes when dongling my toes off the edge of climbing tree stand. 3. It is hard to take a safe nap in a tree.
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From: David McLendon
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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They don't let you kill as many in NC as they do in GA, when I lived in GA I had 2 extra chest freezers just for game meat.
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From: Kodiaktd
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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I hunt from treestands and the ground. The terrain, vegetation, deer sign, and wind dictates which way I choose.
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From: Stealth2
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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Afraid of heights. Plus...I just love the challenge of out witting a deer from the ground with those close shots.
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From: Stealth2
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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Afraid of heights. Plus...I just love the challenge of out witting a deer from the ground with those close shots.
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From: babysaph
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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I think most are just afraid of falling and of heights and the work involved.
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From: lawdy
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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I also suffer from Mr. Stouts condition where I have to see what is over that next ridge. Also, some areas like our timberlands up here are ideal for groundhunting as you never see another hunter. A lot of roadhunters. I love them, keeps them out of the woods. I wish everyone did it, except me.
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From: timex
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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Be careful what you wish for where I come from a road hunter rides the road looking for the new world record buck with a supressed rifle
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From: nybubba
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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Fused ankle, jacked up spine. Dr. wife, and common sense says no ladders. Especially when damp and dark. nybubba
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From: lawdy
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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Timex, you could be right but I still love the peace and quiet. I have lost one buck to a roadhunter when he crossed a logging road. I was tracking him down a big cut when I watched him cross the road and stop. The guy shot him out the window of a Chevy Blazer. I yelled and he and his buddy grabbed that deer, threw it into the back and got out of there. It was a gated area and they got a key from their logger friend. I knew the forester and he changed the locks. Never saw that Blazer again.
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From: Puckaway
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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This is why I love hunting the ground. My first selfbow kill was out of a brush blind hunting my dads farm. I missed the first shot and and she came in so close after that I coud almost smell her breath. I got her the second time.. I love it!
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From: lawdy
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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Puckaway, that's a nice doe. That looks like an Asbell vest. Pretty hard to beat wool plaid for camo.
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From: Monte
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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I began my "on the ground" journey after reading the January 1995 North American Whitetail mag and story with pictures about a gentleman (Steve North ) who was a traditional bowhunter and hunted strictly from the ground after falling from a tree stand and breaking his back. Even got to correspond with him some and here more about his methods. He had already taken numerous really huge whitetails. And so let me just say when S. North (see post above) says "I have had pretty good success with it", Boy Howdy Has He! I wish he would some day write a book. He's the Man! Thanks Steve!
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From: tagalong2
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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THE GROUND IS A LOT CLOSER WHEN I FALL ASLEEP IN MY SEAT.
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From: TrapperKayak
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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I like to stalk them, not wait for them.
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From: bigdog21
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Date: 04-Mar-18 |
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First off it quiter to sneak in and sit than putting up a stand or using a climber. I also like to move when needed nothing like getting in your stand and the wind changes direction for the worst on the ground i can move quickly. To leave a stand and hunt day after day ends up leaving to much humman sent around i seldom hunt the same spots more then once a week. Then like others have said the challenge and the thrill of being five yard from a deer. If you hunt the ground long enough you will end up to close.
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From: IdahoSteel
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Date: 05-Mar-18 |
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I mostly hunt from the ground. We run a few tree stands and several ground blinds, depending on the wind... I hunt a lot of evenings from 4 on and ground hunting/spot and stalk here in the west it just seems to be way more flexible for all species. The exception being when we have found a true trophy whitetail. Outside of the rut it seems like myself and those I hunt with have had better luck out of tree stands for the "Big Boys". Of course that was only after we found them ground hunting :)
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From: ny yankee
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Date: 05-Mar-18 |
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1. I hate the hassle of tree stands.
2. I like to be able to move whenever I want.
3. Not particularly fond of heights.
4. I like ground blinds anyway.
5. I tend to doze off at inopportune moments. Don't want to wake up hanging at the end of a safety harness.
I would hunt from a permanent "tree house" but as of yet, have not had the opportunity to have one.
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From: jjs
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Date: 05-Mar-18 |
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Going eye to eye is the ultimate hunt, satisfaction of success is hard to put in words and that is my personal choice to hunt.
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From: Greyfox
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Date: 05-Mar-18 |
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I do it for the meat. I can't buy venison anywhere in McAlester, Ok.
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From: Elkpacker1
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Date: 05-Mar-18 |
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Because if I fall down I will not be able to get up
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From: Dao
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Date: 05-Mar-18 |
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I haven't caught any yet...only 3years into hunting. but I had enough of opportunities, and _THAT_ eye to eye level, feel the breathing on the bare skin type of encounter is what keeps me on the ground.
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From: RionS
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Date: 05-Mar-18 |
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I can be unprepared but walk into the woods with a stool and play it off as seeking a challenge. Sometimes it even works.
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From: two4hooking
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Date: 05-Mar-18 |
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increases your learning curve.
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From: CLAYBORN
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Date: 05-Mar-18 |
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Your age will help you decide if you like hunting whitetails on the ground. A blind is much safer than a tree stand. Now if your talking still hunting/ stalking on the ground that is a different story. A sport for the young/ with plenty of food on the table! LOL
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From: Woods Walker
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Date: 05-Mar-18 |
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I didn't become proficient at stillhunting until I was older. First off, it wasn't until I had the patience to sit in a stand from dark until dark that I then even had a chance at stillhunting, as it takes even more patience and discipline than stand hunting.
And as I got older I also got SLOWER, which is DEFINITELY a plus for stillhunting.
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From: SJJ
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Date: 05-Mar-18 |
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I can hunt where there are no trees. I can play the wind and move.
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From: zwickey chad
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Date: 05-Mar-18 |
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Don't like feeling like a scare crow! Ground hunting is freedom...and when everything comes together...........what an accomplishment when you get a deer that has home field advantage.
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From: Forester
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Date: 06-Mar-18 |
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I like the challenge, the shot angle is better, safer to nap, can quickly/quietly re-position in response to deer movements and just enjoy building natural blinds from logs, sticks, clipped branches with leaves, weeds or whatever is out there. I find myself sizing up potential ground blind opportunities even when hunting "new ground". I see a lot of deer on the ground but it is harder to draw undetected. Learning to anticipate and pre-plan/practice drawing but then "ghost deer" just appear from unexpected directions increasing your enjoyment of the hunt. I still hunt occasionally from trees but usually only permanent stands that I constructed and know are safe.
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From: BS
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Date: 06-Mar-18 |
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Nothing gets the heart pounding, as when deer jump over you!
Or you hear them breathing just behind you head!!
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From: Woods Walker
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Date: 06-Mar-18 |
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Treestand hunting can be exciting though... ...
Like when you doze off and the safety belt catches you before you hit the ground, or your foot slips on the last rung or step before you get in the stand, or my favorite, the laxative-like effect of the pre-dawn dark ladder stand "ladder slip" when you're halfway up!
That is why I started putting a piece of 2X4 under the bottom rung so it wouldn't sink into the ground! I got tired of having to go back to my truck to change pants.
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From: TGbow
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Date: 06-Mar-18 |
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LOL
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From: South Farm
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Date: 09-Mar-18 |
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Big difference between stalking and hunting from the ground. I've done very well from the ground, but stalking not so much! But then where I hunt the environment isn't very conducive to stalking. I only get in a stand these days if I have to. Being stand free is a wonderful freedom if you can get away with it!
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From: Woods Walker
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Date: 09-Mar-18 |
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A lot of my hunts are stillhunts that I make between sitting on makeshift "hides" I've made beforehand, most all of which are deadfall logs. It's a great way to spend a day in the woods with the freedom to move as the conditions change without all the paraphernalia.
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From: SteveD
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Date: 09-Mar-18 |
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Stationary ground hunting is or can be very, very effective, not so with the movement ground hunting such as still hunting etc, at least for midwestern WT deer. There is a BIG difference when referring to "hunting on the ground" between two methods.
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From: ground hunter
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Date: 09-Mar-18 |
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still hunting does not work well for me, except when I catch up with one, and than maybe...... During the ML season its the only way I hunt, but I do not still hunt, I usually am moving at a quick speed, till I catch up, if I can......
I hunt a big woods area, that the deer cover lots of miles, more than one would think, since population is low, and during the rut, its tough......
but by having lots of natural blinds built, in areas learned thru the years, and making them in the spring, I have a lot of spots to sit,,,,,,
I cover a lot of ground, in this type of terrain.................
This fall I will be hunting a new environment, hill country and there I will use a light hang on
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From: mangonboat
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Date: 10-Mar-18 |
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I'm a geezer and tree stands were illegal when I started hunting in the late 1960's, so I learned to hunt from the ground. I hunted from trees when that became legal. Now I go with what I feel is likely to work . If I'm hunting as a guest where stands are already in place and hunters are not supposed to wander into other hunters' area, I stay in my assigned stand. I almost always hunt by myself from the ground these days, especially in the morning, so I can sneak to a different spot or just stalk if the wind and terrain dictate. Nobody mentioned it, but its also a lot easier to stay warm and stay hid on the ground.
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From: Babysaph
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Date: 10-Mar-18 |
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I have better luck from a tree. You are not going to move around and get shots on the deer I hunt here in WV.
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From: JParanee
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Date: 10-Mar-18 |
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Killing mature bucks on the ground is a difficult thing
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From: Woods Walker
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Date: 11-Mar-18 |
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Except for the wind, the second reason people get busted in the woods is movement, and there's times I think that may even be reason #1.
IMO one of the reason's why treestands are so effective is that it keeps a hunter in one place, so it eliminates the "happy feet" syndrome that many have. But that still doesn't eliminate the "fidgets" which can be just as bad.
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From: David McLendon
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Date: 11-Mar-18 |
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An old mule headed Doe that has been there and done that year in and out that is always on point and break dancing at every sound has saved many a big bucks azz with their vigilance, and is a tough nut to crack from the ground not to be discounted.
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From: Woods Walker
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Date: 11-Mar-18 |
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When a buck starts "thinking with the wrong head" for those few months of the year, they are very vulnerable, and is when the majority of them are killed.
Men are PIGS! ;-)
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