Ground Concealment

[eagle_3464]

I am a new member here but have been reading the posts for more than a year now so thought it was about time I'd join in. I am archery hunting a public use area where stands are not allowed for extended periods so I have tried concealing on the ground. More times than not I find the deer cautious knowing something is different about their environment and usually browse just outside high percentage shooting distance. Several deer at the same time make it difficult to manuever into a shooting position without being detected. Any ideas or should I hunt this area weekends only when I have more time to set a stand?

[NELS-BELLS]

Welcome to the forum.

Unless your hunting in a store bought blind with camo windows, its pretty hard to draw your bow back and get a shot off. The guys that use store bought blinds say that if a deer can see your set up from 50 - 100 yards, (example if your set up in an alfalfa field or CRP) you dont have to brush it in but if it is less then 50 yards the deer will spook at the sight of it and therefore you should brush it in as good as possible.

I'm in the same boat as you and I prefer to hunt out of stands so I either have to hunt on the weekends with all of the other hunters or use vacation time so I can hunt during the week, which is usually less crowded. Its really fun trying to set up your stand in the dark for a morning hunt.

Nels

[eagle_3464]

I have a friend with this type of blind and he says that brushed in or not, deer will still pick this out and not get close enough for an archery kill with a new placement. Sounds like they work very well once in place long enough for the deer to become used to it.

[KrashR]

Just a thought, as I have a ground blind that I have only used once. Couldn't it be possilbe that from the factory all of these blinds have UV brighteners on them. I just got into the habit of washing my hunting cloths with the stuff that says it removes all UV brighteners, but I would assume it could apply to blind materials as well. Maybe this is why hunters who hunt in ground blinds say the deer need to get used to it. I shot my first bowhunting deer on the ground two weeks ago and the deer looked at me quite a few times, but never got spooked and ran off. I was walking around and spotted him, and just stood really still, I let him get within 6-8 yards before I had a good broadside shot.

[NELS-BELLS]

Wow, what an adreline rush that must have been at only 6 - 8 yards. I was lucky enough to shoot a doe from the ground, many years ago, but that was at about 30 yards.

There is nothing more exciting than to be at eye level with a deer and be fully drawn with the sight pin fixed right behind the shoulder. Unfortunately my success rate has been much better from a tree stand. The higher up the better. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about that.

Nels

[delmuts]

ground hunting can be done. ( i do it most of the time) i don't use a blind. first and for most is taking advantage of the wind. then having a camo that blends in well is a big help also.( and i mean full camo.covering your hands and face))i use trees to my advantage. ( i use a strap on tree seat also) i will have a tree to my back and try to set up with a tree. or brush in front, or very close to help break up my outline even more. movement must be slow, and can be difficult when dealing with more than one deer, but can be done.( i have had does, yearlings, and a basket 6 pt. close enough over the years that i could have touched them!) when you find a good area, stop and look down wind of that spot, for something that you could use for cover that is with in your range.ground hunting is harder, but certainly can be done!

[snapcrackpop]

My 6yr old and I hunted off a downed oak tree, about 5 feet off the ground. The tree was down between the farmyard and the lake, a natural funnel.

We shot a fawn at less than 20 yards. I might have had a shot at the doe, but "a bird in the hand is worth two", so I shot the first one in range.

Oh, btw a climber could be another option.

Or making a shooting lane in the cattails with the wind in your face.