Main Discussion Area > Shooting and Hunting
Trouble from the ground: the sad tales of an involuntary vegetarian
Pat B:
If you can see the deer's eyes he can see you.
PaSteve:
Encounters are one thing... getting a shot at an unsuspec (-Pting whitetail is a totally different story hunting them the way you are. I would estimate one in ten encounters will produce a shot. Most of the time the opportunity never arises so yes movement is your issue. Good luck and take the advice given above. I use a homemade ghillie suit that I believe helps also setting up so the deers attention isn't focused in my direction also helps.
Outbackbob48:
Kenneth, I am from nw pa and also hunting from the ground with self bow and ghille suit. First if you can see the deer eye he can seeyou, I like set up with good back cover and a obstruction ( lg. tree or thick brush ) directly in front of me and lanes to roughly 45 degrees left and right. I use a face mask , gloves and a ghille type hat to break up my outline, I keep my bow on lap and in my hand, also I have a very nice comfortable chair, when a deer comes in say on my left lane I don't move until he goes behind my center obstruction and then draw and shoot when he is entering my right lane. Also is a good idea to have lots of set ups as to not hunt same setups to often. I know you said that deer didn't wind ya, but after you leave how many discovered your spot and who is pattering who. If I have setup that don't have frontal obstructions I just try and be patient and only move if they look away to munch on something or just turn head away, also when deer are in wolf range( killing range) I always try and squint my eyes half closed to eliminate the window effect of blinking and keep lowering my head and not making direct eye contact. Ya ever get that feeling someone is looking at you and look up and they are, I believe deer are real sensitive and can feel that real well. I had a buck in to about7 yds last nite and he was really cautious, this has been my 3rd encounter with this same buck. Have I ever told you how bad I hate antler restrictions 3 up area. Have I killed alot of deer on the ground, No but the ones that I did were real special, the big ole does are the really tuff ones, maternial insinct runs very deep. Sit very still and be alert it can happen in seconds, Have fun and let us know how it's going. Bob
Black Moshannon:
--- Quote from: WhistlingBadger on November 16, 2021, 12:14:22 pm ---
--- Quote from: Kenneth on November 16, 2021, 12:03:47 pm ---Thanks for the advice. It sounds like I need to not move if the deer can see me. So I will try to slowly raise the bow when I hear the deer coming in and then pause until the shot opportunity.
--- End quote ---
That sounds right. With calm, unpressured mulies, I can get away with slow, smooth movement at a distance. They either assume it's another deer, or it's just too far away for them to notice. Once you're inside the threat zone, say about 70 yards, they're going to react to any movement they see. And within the hot zone, inside about 30 yards, you'd better not move a finger unless their heads are behind cover.
If they're alerted, on the other hand, or if they have a really smart herd doe who knows the hunt is on? Forget it. ;D I've had them bust me a quarter mile out.
--- End quote ---
All mine are going to be within thirty yards just cause of the landscape here so no messing around for me. On the positive side They don’t see me either till they’re right up on me…
Black Moshannon:
--- Quote from: Outbackbob48 on November 16, 2021, 04:57:00 pm ---Kenneth, I am from nw pa and also hunting from the ground with self bow and ghille suit. First if you can see the deer eye he can seeyou, I like set up with good back cover and a obstruction ( lg. tree or thick brush ) directly in front of me and lanes to roughly 45 degrees left and right. I use a face mask , gloves and a ghille type hat to break up my outline, I keep my bow on lap and in my hand, also I have a very nice comfortable chair, when a deer comes in say on my left lane I don't move until he goes behind my center obstruction and then draw and shoot when he is entering my right lane. Also is a good idea to have lots of set ups as to not hunt same setups to often. I know you said that deer didn't wind ya, but after you leave how many discovered your spot and who is pattering who. If I have setup that don't have frontal obstructions I just try and be patient and only move if they look away to munch on something or just turn head away, also when deer are in wolf range( killing range) I always try and squint my eyes half closed to eliminate the window effect of blinking and keep lowering my head and not making direct eye contact. Ya ever get that feeling someone is looking at you and look up and they are, I believe deer are real sensitive and can feel that real well. I had a buck in to about7 yds last nite and he was really cautious, this has been my 3rd encounter with this same buck. Have I ever told you how bad I hate antler restrictions 3 up area. Have I killed alot of deer on the ground, No but the ones that I did were real special, the big ole does are the really tuff ones, maternial insinct runs very deep. Sit very still and be alert it can happen in seconds, Have fun and let us know how it's going. Bob
--- End quote ---
Thanks Bob. I like the concept of an obstruction directly in front. I will try this tomorrow morning with a tree clump. That was also set me up in a different spot. The comfortable chair is another issue since the chairs with arms get in my way. I may have to go and spend the money on a decent one since I do shift quite a bit on the old bucket. I haven’t cared for the antler restrictions either.
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