Greetings...Have any of you ever gone to a new hunting area for the first time, put on your camo, walked in, found a spot, sat on a chair/seat in a natural blind and killed a buck (not a doe)????? Thanks...Just curious....Be safe this season !!! Des

First time I decided to hunt a new spot for elk I hiked in and just sat on the ground under a bushy tree. Was super uncomfortable for a couple hours until a spike bull came sneaking in. Made the shot and he went about 60 yards. That was with my compound on my 40th birthday. Since then I pack a stand in and sit in a tree. Have killed a couple more elk and a mulie from that stand since. The mulie and this year's bull were with trad gear.

Yep, biggest buck I ever killed I killed in a natural ground blind on the side of a powerline..never hunted the spot before.

Note, I hadn't killed very many bucks in my hunting career.

Yep. Walked in off the road, sat down against a rootball watching a transition area.

But I only hunt from the ground.

Thank you for the responses...Des

Yes it has happened.But I have been hunting for decades and dont expect it too happen as a high percentage endeavor.But you gotta try and its gonna happen eventually if you keep after it. If you find a good spot based on sign and the wind is right.

One thing about a ground setup is it can be done quietly and relatively quickly.Areas without trees which many other hunters avoid can be really good setups for this game.I am talking mostly public land.Gotta have good setup though that allows you to get a shot without getting busted and I pay attention to my cover and very good camo.Practice from the ground and with the bow in severly canted angles and body positions can help and being able to shoot quickly when needed.You need to be able to move a bit quietly as well when closing the deal.A few things that have helped me.It can get hairy!

I got 15 pointer like that.1st time setup and things went right.But it was tough to close the deal and it happened fast.That was in a black locust and Osage jungle that was about 10 acres with no suitable trees for stands.It was good spot for that reason for a ground hunt and less hunting pressure.No other ground pounders.

from a fellow ground hunter... bring some pruning snips and a ghillie suit.

Many times, starting in 1972 when I shot my first buck from the ground. I didn't necessarily know what I was doing, but it didn't stop me from trying. I had some failures along the way as well and went to tree stands and had a lot of success. Then back to the ground after the 1980's. It's sure safer and less noisy overall, and if you're patient you can do well.

If I recall correctly, it's said that statistically speaking, most deer are taken the first time you hunt an area, so there is that also to ponder over. After you get some deer to take home over the years you develop more confidence as well.

I have done this many times over and enjoy hunting this way. AT first it was a learning curve, but I soon learned to sit still, put the wind in my face, and be patient. It can be done. I also like the safety aspect of it, and shot angle better than shooting downward. I wish you luck--keep up the efforts--it can, and will pay off.

As jarhead stated. Pruning Snips, or some sort of small foldable saw. I keep a folder in my backpack when I know am going to be ground hunting. I favor bigger cedar trees and then cut a couple shot lanes. From an oops or two, make sure you have enough clearance for bow limbs when doing this. It can be perfect until you loose an arrow and the top limb hits a branch.

-Bones

You will want both the snips and the folding saw in my experience.

Yes, several times. All great memories. First one, went in mid-afternoon and while stalking into area heard some chasing and a buck grunt just over a rise in terrain. Quickly set up my Montana doe decoy and backed into a spot against 3 small trees. I was wearing a leafy suit. Within 5 minutes a doe moved across in front of me and past the decoy and was followed by a nice 8 point. When the buck spotted the decoy he lowered his head and stiffly walked right past me at 5 yards. My 60# Black Widow LAG and thunderhead worked well but it was after dark and about 100 yards before I found him. Not a monster but I still had him mounted for the memory.

I appreciate you advice my Trad Pals....Be safe....Des

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