New member hunting from the ground - need advice
12-01-2010, 09:38 AM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2
New member hunting from the ground - need advice
I'm a new member looking for some advice.
I wasn't seeing many deer this archery season in my home state of WI from the 10 tree stands I have set up on 200 acres and I was getting cold and bored. Nov. 1st I started a mix of still-hunting and ground-sitting. I got pretty aggressive sneaking into bedding areas and started seeing lots of deer including shooter bucks. It's been lots of fun and I've had about a half dozen close encounters with shooters but something always goes wrong so I haven't released an arrow yet. This is a new thing for me and I plan to do more of it this late season and in the future.
Do any of you guys have experience bow hunting like this? Any tricks you've learned would be much appreciated.
I wasn't seeing many deer this archery season in my home state of WI from the 10 tree stands I have set up on 200 acres and I was getting cold and bored. Nov. 1st I started a mix of still-hunting and ground-sitting. I got pretty aggressive sneaking into bedding areas and started seeing lots of deer including shooter bucks. It's been lots of fun and I've had about a half dozen close encounters with shooters but something always goes wrong so I haven't released an arrow yet. This is a new thing for me and I plan to do more of it this late season and in the future.
Do any of you guys have experience bow hunting like this? Any tricks you've learned would be much appreciated.
12-01-2010, 11:51 AM
#2
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location:
Posts: 368
Welcome! Spot and stalk is difficult. You need to go slow and have your bow drawn well before your target has the ability to see you. I would say the right terrain, wind and "noise conditions" are the main factors in your success. For example, I made my first successful stalk last year when I closed the gap from about 200 yards to 25 yards on a yearling doe through the late October woods. That was a gonzo mission that paid off because I had the wind in my face, it was loud to conceal the leaves I did have to step in occassionally and I had many huge maples to stop behind on my way toward her.
Two other options you might consider are moving a ground blind around a bit throughout the day or planning a drive or two toward the end of the story. You just want the deer pushed toward you in the latter instance, not run past you, so a friend or two taking a slow, casual hike through the other side of the property is ideal without too much pressure on the deer.
Two other options you might consider are moving a ground blind around a bit throughout the day or planning a drive or two toward the end of the story. You just want the deer pushed toward you in the latter instance, not run past you, so a friend or two taking a slow, casual hike through the other side of the property is ideal without too much pressure on the deer.
