• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

The Official Ground Hunting Thread

This should just be called the tail gunner thread...i dont know what you guys think you know a bout ground hunting but in oregon tree hunting is weird.oregonians hunt for animals not trees.they think im crazy looking for deer in trees.deer dont climb trees.if your goal is to get up a tree... carry a ladder ...but if your goal is to get a deer and sitting and climbing are just options you probably wont use than they must be ultralight no bulk options.if that makes sence.
 
Took off at 1400 today and went out. Didn't have time for lunch so I stopped by Arby's for a beef and cheddar on the way. Rolled up to a new area and sat down in the middle of a 70yd x 180yd field with the sun going down to my back and the wind on my nose. Couldn't see the whole field but I could scan a majority of it.
20231108_152052.jpg
Didn't see anything the entire 2hrs I sat. Fifteen minutes after sundown I decided that I still might be able to make dinner if I left now so I stood up and stretched. Poked my head out of the shooting lane I had made and looked to the right to get a view of the entire right side of the field where I thought they'd be coming from. Nothing. Ah well. Put the boomstick down and turned around to get a drink of water out of the back of the chair. As I turned back around I see a deer in the middle of the lefthand side of the field (red dot). What??? Where did you come from? And you're staring right at me! Great. There I stood without a weapon to defend myself. I slowly crouched to my knees and grabbed about blindly on the ground for my BP. Found it. Raised it slowly and rested it on the back of my chair while the dern deer went back to feeding! Ok bud... two more steps. Boom. Smoke everywhere for a split second and then I see him bound of in one direction only to turn back and slip in another direction. Then he headed into the woods. I quickly got out my phone and took a picture of the landscape without moving and noted the tree where he went in (yellow arrow) because everything looks different when you move from the location of the shot.
20231108_172610.jpg
Got all packed up and put my chair down next to the tree he went in by. Found blood within 15yds. Spotty red. Here... there... here... there. Then a patch of better blood. Then spots again. Followed it and marked it for about 60yds before coming up on a very large bloody area next to a tree where it looked like he had laid down.
20231108_175433.jpg
No deer. Wait. Looked to the left and there's a giant ravine. No way. Yep. He's at the bottom.
20231108_175449.jpg
Had to walk clear around to the other side to find a not-so-quick way down. You're gonna make me work for this aren't you bud? Well played sir. Well played.
20231108_175727.jpg
Anyway, lots of slipping along the way but I finally got him out (yes that was two tiers of dirt shelf I figured to be about 15ft). It's going to be in the 40s tonight and I'm beat. Finish this up tomorrow.
20231108_205316.jpg
 
I had a fun hunt this evening. I went on a 3 and 1/2 mile scout to explore some new dirt. I got out there about 10:30 and headed South. I went about a mile and a half deep, started to see old sign, then headed back West and then gradually started heading back North towards the truck. Along the way I soft bumped a doe out of a fallen tree top where she was bedded. She didn't spook, just trotted off.

I looked the spot over and found lots of fresh deer poop. Someone has been spending some time in that spot. I figured she was bedded up near a feed tree, so I started looking around. About 80 yards from the treetop was pretty decent sign under a pair of huge red oaks. It was about 2 o'clock so I could either continue scouting back to the truck or just hunt. I decided to try the spot out. I looked around and the trees near the oaks were either spindly little things or telephone poles with no cover. I had my 2TC kit with me and in the pack there is the small Torges seat. I decided to sit on the ground against a shoulder width red oak that was up inside a fallen tree. It made a perfect little hide.

I was all set up in no time. Soon the squirrels were back at it. At one point a hawk came through and scared the poo out of them. I was rooting for the hawk.

Around 5 it is getting dusky in the woods. I heard something behind me, and I slowly turned to see a big bodied deer walking west to east behind me at about 80 yards. He is tough to make out, but I could tell it was a buck. I assume he is headed somewhere else and when he gets out of sight, I store that info away for later and go back to watching my front. A couple of minutes go by, and I catch movement out of my left eye. It is a deer coming in! It's the buck.

He apparently made a right turn and came into these oaks on a string. He is just walking at a leisurely pace, and I don't even think about it. I just pick up the bow that is across my lap, draw back and settle the pin over his heart. I shift focus and can see he is a tall, somewhat heavy six. I'd guess in the 110 to 115 category. I let him pass and let down the bow. I don't need another 110 inch 6 point and I sure don't need one on the ground 3/4 of a mile from the truck ten minutes before dark.

It was a fun hunt for sure. I'm glad I let him pass. If he'd been a big doe, the story would have ended differently.
 

Attachments

  • nov 16 23.jpg
    nov 16 23.jpg
    681.8 KB · Views: 54
NMSbowhunter said:
I had a fun hunt this evening. I went on a 3 and 1/2 mile scout to explore some new dirt. I got out there about 10:30 and headed South. I went about a mile and a half deep, started to see old sign, then headed back West and then gradually started heading back North towards the truck. Along the way I soft bumped a doe out of a fallen tree top where she was bedded. She didn't spook, just trotted off.

I looked the spot over and found lots of fresh deer poop. Someone has been spending some time in that spot. I figured she was bedded up near a feed tree, so I started looking around. About 80 yards from the treetop was pretty decent sign under a pair of huge red oaks. It was about 2 o'clock so I could either continue scouting back to the truck or just hunt. I decided to try the spot out. I looked around and the trees near the oaks were either spindly little things or telephone poles with no cover. I had my 2TC kit with me and in the pack there is the small Torges seat. I decided to sit on the ground against a shoulder width red oak that was up inside a fallen tree. It made a perfect little hide.

I was all set up in no time. Soon the squirrels were back at it. At one point a hawk came through and scared the poo out of them. I was rooting for the hawk.

Around 5 it is getting dusky in the woods. I heard something behind me, and I slowly turned to see a big bodied deer walking west to east behind me at about 80 yards. He is tough to make out, but I could tell it was a buck. I assume he is headed somewhere else and when he gets out of sight, I store that info away for later and go back to watching my front. A couple of minutes go by, and I catch movement out of my left eye. It is a deer coming in! It's the buck.

He apparently made a right turn and came into these oaks on a string. He is just walking at a leisurely pace, and I don't even think about it. I just pick up the bow that is across my lap, draw back and settle the pin over his heart. I shift focus and can see he is a tall, somewhat heavy six. I'd guess in the 110 to 115 category. I let him pass and let down the bow. I don't need another 110 inch 6 point and I sure don't need one on the ground 3/4 of a mile from the truck ten minutes before dark.

It was a fun hunt for sure. I'm glad I let him pass. If he'd been a big doe, the story would have ended differently.
Click to expand...
Love it buddy! You've got control of your senses for sure.
 
NMSbowhunter said:
I had a fun hunt this evening. I went on a 3 and 1/2 mile scout to explore some new dirt. I got out there about 10:30 and headed South. I went about a mile and a half deep, started to see old sign, then headed back West and then gradually started heading back North towards the truck. Along the way I soft bumped a doe out of a fallen tree top where she was bedded. She didn't spook, just trotted off.

I looked the spot over and found lots of fresh deer poop. Someone has been spending some time in that spot. I figured she was bedded up near a feed tree, so I started looking around. About 80 yards from the treetop was pretty decent sign under a pair of huge red oaks. It was about 2 o'clock so I could either continue scouting back to the truck or just hunt. I decided to try the spot out. I looked around and the trees near the oaks were either spindly little things or telephone poles with no cover. I had my 2TC kit with me and in the pack there is the small Torges seat. I decided to sit on the ground against a shoulder width red oak that was up inside a fallen tree. It made a perfect little hide.

I was all set up in no time. Soon the squirrels were back at it. At one point a hawk came through and scared the poo out of them. I was rooting for the hawk.

Around 5 it is getting dusky in the woods. I heard something behind me, and I slowly turned to see a big bodied deer walking west to east behind me at about 80 yards. He is tough to make out, but I could tell it was a buck. I assume he is headed somewhere else and when he gets out of sight, I store that info away for later and go back to watching my front. A couple of minutes go by, and I catch movement out of my left eye. It is a deer coming in! It's the buck.

He apparently made a right turn and came into these oaks on a string. He is just walking at a leisurely pace, and I don't even think about it. I just pick up the bow that is across my lap, draw back and settle the pin over his heart. I shift focus and can see he is a tall, somewhat heavy six. I'd guess in the 110 to 115 category. I let him pass and let down the bow. I don't need another 110 inch 6 point and I sure don't need one on the ground 3/4 of a mile from the truck ten minutes before dark.

It was a fun hunt for sure. I'm glad I let him pass. If he'd been a big doe, the story would have ended differently.
Click to expand...
Great write up! I also debate towards the end of the day if I want to do the work that comes after a shot, but in the dark. More times than not, I'd pass too.
 
At my brother’s property for the gun opener tomorrow. Got here early enough to sit a bit before getting rained on. Saw a nice buck cruising along a ridge. Way too far away. Maybe a different story tomorrow if he walks in. Sat in my Amazon hammock seat. Regretting canceling my Waldrop order ha. Just hate looking for a tree vs popping open a chair.
 
BuffaloBill said:
At my brother’s property for the gun opener tomorrow. Got here early enough to sit a bit before getting rained on. Saw a nice buck cruising along a ridge. Way too far away. Maybe a different story tomorrow if he walks in. Sat in my Amazon hammock seat. Regretting canceling my Waldrop order ha. Just hate looking for a tree vs popping open a chair.
Click to expand...
Good luck tomorrow. If there is a Walmart, etc. nearby you could pick a metal folding chair for about $12. It's not quite as elegant as the PacSeat but they are pretty comfortable and very affordable.
 
I have been in west KY for 12 days. Eleven days of observation stands with about 4 hours of scouting each day. I cannot find one active Scrape to save my life. Only sat in my pac seat. Only saw 4 does and two small bucks. Today was first day of a 3 day ML hunt. Rain and more rain with 60 degree Temps. Tomorrow a cold front, I hope they will move.
Screenshot_20231117_110827_Gallery.jpg
 
I hope this isn't a derail but is anyone using a jx3 tethered at ground level? Still gotta have a tree but it can be much less of a tree. And hopefully the comfort helps you stay still at exposed ground level. Sort of hybrid/options type of kit? Climb or don't. Any one have tried both a pacseat and a jx3?
 
Horn said:
I hope this isn't a derail but is anyone using a jx3 tethered at ground level? Still gotta have a tree but it can be much less of a tree. And hopefully the comfort helps you stay still at exposed ground level. Sort of hybrid/options type of kit? Climb or don't. Any one have tried both a pacseat and a jx3?
Click to expand...
I’ve used mine at ground level. Still a little more involved than just popping open a chair but it is an option. Haven’t tried a PacSeat YET.
 
BuffaloBill said:
I’ve used mine at ground level. Still a little more involved than just popping open a chair but it is an option. Haven’t tried a PacSeat YET.
Click to expand...
Are you comfortable shooting a bow out of it , jx3, at ground level? I'm not against firearms or crossbows in anyway shape or form, but personally love a compound. 350L gets the nod in the morning though, it's more effective and legal for short time
 
Horn said:
Are you comfortable shooting a bow out of it , jx3, at ground level? I'm not against firearms or crossbows in anyway shape or form, but personally love a compound. 350L gets the nod in the morning though, it's more effective and legal for short time
Click to expand...
I’ve said it before, never proven it at the range but I think as or more accurate shooting from a jx3 vs standing. Maybe it’s any instability in my legs removed, I dunno.
 
Horn said:
Are you comfortable shooting a bow out of it , jx3, at ground level? I'm not against firearms or crossbows in anyway shape or form, but personally love a compound. 350L gets the nod in the morning though, it's more effective and legal for short time
Click to expand...
If I’m on the ground I’m probably using a xbow or gun. Don’t see a problem with using a compound but it’s just harder to get away with movement on the ground.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top