Great advice. I started out hunting on the ground and have never done anything else. Most of your tips I had to figure out through trial and error. A video like this would have sped my journey along significantly.
The video is very good. In my opinion, as important as locating and preparing a hunting stand on the ground is to locate and make sure that where we will place the hunting stand is a place where the deer passes, locating signs. I think it would be good to make a video about those deer signs. Thanks for the video
@@EthanPageHunter well worth the investment in my opinion. I’ve got both models but I’d recommend the turkey seat. I’ve tweaked mine a little but now that it’s dialed in, I have no desire to climb anymore.
@@Arkie_Outdoors the turkey seat would be my preference as well, probably. Lower to the ground. Even when I do take a seat I find myself on my knees 80% of the time lol
Oh boy, 40 years of successfully ground hunting in the hardscrable national forest, and teaching my wife and three sons how to connect at 15-30 yards on deer, I could write a book. Here are a few thoughts. Ask if questions. Use gloves, scent sprayed to clear ground, stow them in a ziplock in your pack. NEVER use a bare hand. Use a 3 prong cheap hand garden rake rather than touching leaves, etc. Take clippers to cut roots or your opening. Really burrow in. A hole inside rhododendron or similar is good. Set up with only one opening. You should not be able see out except through that because you picked the spot properly. Perpendicular to a known trail, out of direct sight line of the trail. YOU MUST WAIT till the deer is moving into your main shooting lane. Secondary shooting lanes - to your rear or sides - are low percentage because they reduce cover and reqire more movement. Disturbed soil will help cover your scent but scent spray or use Scent Thief on your clothes and pack before you settle in. Use a fresh hat or head covering from your pack rather than your walking in one which should be stowed. Get low, lay down if possible. Only move when you hear deer. Anything you need have outside your pack, scent sprayed. No smell, no sound, and then absolutely KEY no movement except to position and shoot. To test the no movement importance, I once sat against a tree, in the open, without moving AT ALL, from before light for almost 3 hours. A buck came down the trail, I saw him only when I heard him 20 yards away - they are masters at ghosting. As I slowly positioned to shoot, his head was behind a tree but he knew something was different. When he stepped out, I smacked him. I once walked by, a few feet, from my wife who was burrowed in her "nest" and never saw her. I later asked why she didn't call out to me? She said because I had told her not to move or make a sound. That is your test. Think it through. A deer KNOWS EVERTHING about the trail it is on, the side of it, the smell, normal sounds, any change in leaves or trees. You are not trying to SEE deer you are trying to kill it. You must not be seen, smelled, or heard before the moment of truth which will ocurr in a flash. To beat a ghost you must be a ghost.
As someone just starting out in archery (I’m going recurve) and deer hunting I always shy’d away from the idea of a tree stand. I would be hunting public land and might have to walk a mile or two for a good spot. Carrying a tree stand that far and just dealing with it in general seems like it would be not pleasant. Not to mention the couple hundred bucks just to buy one. I’m sure ground hunting for deer is much tougher though if I had to guess.
It can be very difficult. As you add more sets of eyes it gets worse and worse. But if you just learn the deer's habits and their travel patterns it will pay off eventually. There is also an element of safety as well. I personally hate wearing harness even when I am in a stand.
@ thank you. I only got a few days left here in GA and I’m going on the ground. I’m sure I’m over thinking it but my biggest concern was what seat to use and seat height. I got a couple of those but wasn’t sure. Thanks man. Love your content. It’s very helpful.
The tips you share here are what I would consider "common sense" (which is an oxymoron). Sense is not common 🤦♂️ Just from being on the ground I don't ever remember not doing these things to set up. The very first mature buck I killed was a set up similar to what you show here. Although I prefer to saddle hunt here in the Midwest, I’ll be as versatile as possible. I've locked my platform onto the base of a tree and used that as a seat. One of the coolest experiences I've had was on the ground. I got set up in tall grasses and cleared a shooting lane to a deer path, just about 2-3 yards away. While I laid down waiting for shooting light, the biggest 6 pointer I've ever seen came through, stopped and made his way right to me, bent his head down and put his nose about 2' from me. The mass on that 6 was insane. The base was somewhere between 8"-10' in diameter and the length and thickness of his tines were crazy large. The deer probably weighed >200lbs dressed, but it was at least 40 minutes before shooting light
Cool tips. I seen a video one time where a guy would dig a short hole and sit on the edge of that? Has anyone tried that or had success with that? Thanks
I plan to start the opening season on the ground. How do you deal with mosquitos for the early October season hunt? Is it ok to use mosquito repellent? Love your videos!
@EthanPageHunter Well sometimes I might drink a couple of beers while I hunt. Seems to keep the skeeters away or maybe after a few....they don't seem to bother me😃
ive hunted a lot from the ground with a gun but my main goal this season is to get a deer with my bow from the ground. I usually hunt from the ground on top of a ridge with a rifle which ends up being 30-foot elevation difference. im going to try to set up closer to halfway up a ridge with my bow to get me a little closer. Just worried about getting busted with swirling winds on the side of a ridge blowing my scent down in the bottom im trying to hunt. Any suggestions on a better approach?
@@cshamilton85 Jason over at Samko trad bow had some great information on this as does Stickboys channel. The most important parts is understanding how deer travel on wayward and Leeward sides of ridges, depending on which way the wind is blowing. Deer like to have the wind coming up over the top so they can smell danger from above and see danger from below. Other than that, just pay close attention to thermals when you are hunting hill country. Thermals rise as it warms up in the morning and drop as it cools down in the evening.
How early or when would you be adjusting your selected spot? Like day of or a few weeks in advance? The few times I have been out, I always worry clearing the brush is excessively loud.
@@93miracleblade oh no… same day. There are select spots that you can prep early if the deer frequent that location. I am more fluid and find myself having to tune things in as I hunt. Even if that means moving 15 yards away. Or the wind switches and I have to move. I find it more advantageous to just go in a little early when you hunt and set up then. You don’t want to get married to any spot so it’s best to stay fluid.
Please leave a comment and let me know what you thought of this video!
Great advice. I started out hunting on the ground and have never done anything else. Most of your tips I had to figure out through trial and error. A video like this would have sped my journey along significantly.
@@Coopaloop-gg3kw it’s very rewarding way to hunt
The video is very good. In my opinion, as important as locating and preparing a hunting stand on the ground is to locate and make sure that where we will place the hunting stand is a place where the deer passes, locating signs. I think it would be good to make a video about those deer signs. Thanks for the video
@@manuelgonzalezzambrano1989 it’s in the works.
Good tips. I’ve barely been in a tree since buying a Waldrop PacSeat. Hard to beat the simplicity and the excitement of hunting them from the ground.
@@Arkie_Outdoors one day I’ll own one
@@EthanPageHunter well worth the investment in my opinion. I’ve got both models but I’d recommend the turkey seat. I’ve tweaked mine a little but now that it’s dialed in, I have no desire to climb anymore.
@@Arkie_Outdoors the turkey seat would be my preference as well, probably. Lower to the ground. Even when I do take a seat I find myself on my knees 80% of the time lol
I have noticed a lot of trad bow hunters are trying ground hunting. Thanks for excellent video and will go back and check out first video!
@@RobertEatonOutdoors thanks for watching
thanks friend! it's very good information!
@@alexofftop1277 thanks for watching
Great videos, keep em coming!
@@TomasNybrand thanks for watching
Oh boy, 40 years of successfully ground hunting in the hardscrable national forest, and teaching my wife and three sons how to connect at 15-30 yards on deer, I could write a book. Here are a few thoughts. Ask if questions. Use gloves, scent sprayed to clear ground, stow them in a ziplock in your pack. NEVER use a bare hand. Use a 3 prong cheap hand garden rake rather than touching leaves, etc. Take clippers to cut roots or your opening. Really burrow in. A hole inside rhododendron or similar is good. Set up with only one opening. You should not be able see out except through that because you picked the spot properly. Perpendicular to a known trail, out of direct sight line of the trail. YOU MUST WAIT till the deer is moving into your main shooting lane. Secondary shooting lanes - to your rear or sides - are low percentage because they reduce cover and reqire more movement. Disturbed soil will help cover your scent but scent spray or use Scent Thief on your clothes and pack before you settle in. Use a fresh hat or head covering from your pack rather than your walking in one which should be stowed. Get low, lay down if possible. Only move when you hear deer. Anything you need have outside your pack, scent sprayed. No smell, no sound, and then absolutely KEY no movement except to position and shoot.
To test the no movement importance, I once sat against a tree, in the open, without moving AT ALL, from before light for almost 3 hours. A buck came down the trail, I saw him only when I heard him 20 yards away - they are masters at ghosting. As I slowly positioned to shoot, his head was behind a tree but he knew something was different. When he stepped out, I smacked him.
I once walked by, a few feet, from my wife who was burrowed in her "nest" and never saw her. I later asked why she didn't call out to me? She said because I had told her not to move or make a sound. That is your test.
Think it through. A deer KNOWS EVERTHING about the trail it is on, the side of it, the smell, normal sounds, any change in leaves or trees. You are not trying to SEE deer you are trying to kill it. You must not be seen, smelled, or heard before the moment of truth which will ocurr in a flash.
To beat a ghost you must be a ghost.
@@thebadboo4875 good info
As someone just starting out in archery (I’m going recurve) and deer hunting I always shy’d away from the idea of a tree stand. I would be hunting public land and might have to walk a mile or two for a good spot. Carrying a tree stand that far and just dealing with it in general seems like it would be not pleasant. Not to mention the couple hundred bucks just to buy one. I’m sure ground hunting for deer is much tougher though if I had to guess.
It can be very difficult. As you add more sets of eyes it gets worse and worse. But if you just learn the deer's habits and their travel patterns it will pay off eventually.
There is also an element of safety as well. I personally hate wearing harness even when I am in a stand.
Great video, planning on hunting from the ground a lot more this year.
@@Kristopherkok best of luck!
Good stuff. Is that the seat you always use?
@@BigGameVision this season it was yes.
@ thank you. I only got a few days left here in GA and I’m going on the ground. I’m sure I’m over thinking it but my biggest concern was what seat to use and seat height. I got a couple of those but wasn’t sure. Thanks man. Love your content. It’s very helpful.
@ if you live in GA and want some very helpful information, watch my friend Robert Carter. He’s something of a legend down there .
Good video! Going to put these tips/tactics to use next month!
Heck yes 🤙🏼
The tips you share here are what I would consider "common sense" (which is an oxymoron). Sense is not common 🤦♂️ Just from being on the ground I don't ever remember not doing these things to set up. The very first mature buck I killed was a set up similar to what you show here.
Although I prefer to saddle hunt here in the Midwest, I’ll be as versatile as possible. I've locked my platform onto the base of a tree and used that as a seat. One of the coolest experiences I've had was on the ground. I got set up in tall grasses and cleared a shooting lane to a deer path, just about 2-3 yards away. While I laid down waiting for shooting light, the biggest 6 pointer I've ever seen came through, stopped and made his way right to me, bent his head down and put his nose about 2' from me. The mass on that 6 was insane. The base was somewhere between 8"-10' in diameter and the length and thickness of his tines were crazy large. The deer probably weighed >200lbs dressed, but it was at least 40 minutes before shooting light
@@ScottWConvid19 that’s an awesome experience
6:36 The bow doubles as a turkey call 😂
Old rest I gotta swap it
@@EthanPageHunter NS, the deer will pick you out in a heartbeat with all that noise, sounding like a squeaky chevy bouncin 🤣
@@ScottWConvid19 too late by time they hear 👍🏼
Love it !
Thank you
Awesome, thanks
@@lorotomas thanks for watching!
Very good information 👍
@@littlewoody5539 thank you
Cool tips. I seen a video one time where a guy would dig a short hole and sit on the edge of that? Has anyone tried that or had success with that? Thanks
Sounds similar to “pit blinds” used in Africa.
Thanks for sharing good info
@@KevinRedford-g8r thanks for watching
Good stuff man 😎👍💯🇺🇲🏹🔥
@@RedmanOutdoors366 thank you
I plan to start the opening season on the ground. How do you deal with mosquitos for the early October season hunt? Is it ok to use mosquito repellent? Love your videos!
Thermocell 👍
@@johanchen3485 I don’t use bug spray. I just wear long sleeve shirts that are designed for hot weather. Keeps all bugs off.
@@EthanPageHunter Heck Ethan them Skeeters don't like the way you taste.
@@UncleDanBand64 I’m bitter
@EthanPageHunter Well sometimes I might drink a couple of beers while I hunt. Seems to keep the skeeters away or maybe after a few....they don't seem to bother me😃
Good stuff.
@@donnieholmes1747 thank you
Do you do anything to stop that squeaking sound when you pull back the arrow?
@@leobaltz2057 that’s my rest that needs replacing
4:36 ah, hunting the neighbors backyard! Great thinking! lol
@@stoic9701 essentially
Great set of tips! What leafy suit top is that btw?
@@davisstellman it’s a Cabelas. It’s probably 12 years old.
ive hunted a lot from the ground with a gun but my main goal this season is to get a deer with my bow from the ground. I usually hunt from the ground on top of a ridge with a rifle which ends up being 30-foot elevation difference. im going to try to set up closer to halfway up a ridge with my bow to get me a little closer. Just worried about getting busted with swirling winds on the side of a ridge blowing my scent down in the bottom im trying to hunt. Any suggestions on a better approach?
@@cshamilton85 Jason over at Samko trad bow had some great information on this as does Stickboys channel. The most important parts is understanding how deer travel on wayward and Leeward sides of ridges, depending on which way the wind is blowing. Deer like to have the wind coming up over the top so they can smell danger from above and see danger from below. Other than that, just pay close attention to thermals when you are hunting hill country. Thermals rise as it warms up in the morning and drop as it cools down in the evening.
Watsup Ethan, what camera/cameras are you using for these videos?
iPhone 15 Pro Max
@@EthanPageHunterthanks! Quality is so good on iPhone now it’s crazy
@ it’s crazy how far they have come
How early or when would you be adjusting your selected spot? Like day of or a few weeks in advance? The few times I have been out, I always worry clearing the brush is excessively loud.
@@93miracleblade oh no… same day. There are select spots that you can prep early if the deer frequent that location. I am more fluid and find myself having to tune things in as I hunt. Even if that means moving 15 yards away. Or the wind switches and I have to move. I find it more advantageous to just go in a little early when you hunt and set up then. You don’t want to get married to any spot so it’s best to stay fluid.
Appreciate the advice, I'll lend an ear as I show up and clear away then! Thanks!
@@93miracleblade best of luck!
Good video. I thought you were hunting with the longbow this year?
@@jaredlong4157 thanks, and I will be.
Wow I just noticed you have gone back to your recurve what happened to the longbow mate
@@shanefitzgibbon9871 it’s on hold momentarily. It’ll be back.
Think im just gonna find a robust tree and climb up 10 feet and hope for the best 😅
@@smokyriverbushcraft to each their own. Best of luck out there.
a rifle😂
Take a 12pt in 2007 monster main frame 8- 11 pointer in 2020 then tell me about it.
Spaying scent blocker a hex suit and ever calm is essential and will raise your success rate 90%
Spraying scentblocker
Can’t say that scent control has ever altered my success. I just hunt the wind and watch my entry/exit.