I used the ground noise trick last season because of the THP videos. Watching yall rattle and tear up the ground, leaves, and saplings, got me to try it. Twice I called in big 8s within 10 minutes of that rattling session. One, I wasn't ready for and spotted me, the second time I tried it, I shot my biggest deer so far. Thanks THP. Also, almost had a copperhead crawl in my lap while ground hunting.
Great job Jonathan! I was inspired by Zach to hunt on the ground this season in his September 2022 appearance on the Wired to Hunt podcast. I set up in a cluster of trees in a full leaf suit from North Mountain gear. About 12:15 I heard a loud, aggressive, and abrupt stomping in the brush behind me. A 130-140-inch buck stopped in, what I'm assuming, was my track to my tree, and paused to sniff the ground. He was about 12 yards from me! I had my Tethrd predator platform buckled to the tree - about 2 feet off the ground, and I was facing in the wrong direction. As I slowly rotated clockwise to get in a standing position to draw, the buck was also rotating. He got to a perfect broadside position at 12 yards, and looked at me like, why is this tree moving???? And then he bolted. I was seconds away from smoking a respectable buck on public in Oklahoma from the ground and I failed. However I'm thankful for that failure because I learned so much that I'll apply to future hunts. And it's like you said - thanks to THP. I really took to heart on that podcast episode what Zach said about not being afraid to fail.
I mainly hunt public with an x bow. So much lighter from the ground- I pack Cammo burlap or netting on my bag - I run line thru it with a carabiner on each side… I put that around some brush or trees to make a makeshift blind if I’m too exposed. Gives great vertical and horizontal cover.
Nothing Like Taking a Whitetail on The Ground. Knee Replacement In March and now I need a complete left shoulder replacement. It kills me to climb with My Shoulder. I came close Monday Morning on a real nice 8 point. 12/15 yards away in waist and chest high Marsh grass covering His Vitals. I just didn't want to chance the shot! Thanks for The Video Zach!
I'm so excited for deer season. I'm an Okie. I have a lifetime license. In 2021, I got 5 deer. With a lifetime, I can get 6. This was the first time I have ever taken more than 1 in a season and also my first archery kills. I used a crossbow last fall. I got a compound bow for Christmas (thank you, me), and I have been practicing almost daily. Thanks for the videos. These help me know what I need to change. My results speak for themselves (although there was a lot of luck for me this year). Keep it up!
100% of my hunting, so far, has been from the ground. Spot & stalk or ground blind or makeshift cover. These are the tips I've been waiting for. I can feel it. This will be the season I land my first buck. Thanks to the tips learned from here I've gotten the closest I have ever been last season (couldn't seal the deal due to not having a clear shot) but still. I'm excited!
You sound just like myself there geekazoid. I sadly missed three does, didn't draw on a really nice buck coming to me at 15 yards and other opportunities. I'm pumped for a redemption season. 🏹🦌
@@TheHuntingPublic update to this: Had the biggest buck of my life, ninja stalk up on me last night at 15 yards. I had some cover. I was in shadow. Knew I was something but didn't blow or bust. I waited to draw until his head was behind a tree and as soon as I drew he spooked out. It was heartbreaking. I'm just hoping because he wasn't blowing or anything that I didn't ruin a future hunt on him (I've narrowed down his bedding)
@@geekazoid1983 all bucks are diffrent in that regard, But if he didnt act too awful startled and didnt smell you, Chances are you may get see him again
You ever go back to that spot? I shot and missed a doe this year and the next few days multiple deer came through that spot that I’ve never seen before almost investigating where I was sitting.
Clearing the leaves out under your feet also stirs up the soil scent to help cover yours. Practice drawing and holding your bow for extended period of time from kneeling/sitting position. Ground hunting and a good breeze go well together. Cover movement and sound. All good tips guys. Tree stands are awesome but not always the solution. You will get busted a lot bowhunting from the ground, but sometimes, everything comes together, and the victory is sweet.
Zach is my most favorite out of all the THP crew. His stalking abilities are second to none. That hunt in North Dakota where he stalked a bedded buck with Jake filming was Epic!
I have several GREAT ground spots I hunt, and they're both deadfalls along a creek-line that runs East-West. One's on the North-Side of the creek, the other is on the South-Side of the creek (about 200 yards apart), and I hunt them based on the wind. Both are between bedding and feeding areas and between two major crossings. I also wear HECS (WORTH IT"S WEIGHT IN GOLD...TRUST ME), under my regular Camo. I can get to both of them pretty easy as well (normal water depth is 6-8 inches). It's an Urban/Surburban Area that has a few parks and golf courses that are connected by woodlands. While others are hunting the WMA'S or Private Property miles away, I can be where I hunt in 15-20 minutes walking the creek!
as a new bow hunter in new england looking for whitetail i’m eager to use friends tree stands but the allure of ground hunting, sneaking into an area you think is productive and setting up a little natural ground blind just excites me ! i’m up for the challenge.
I haven't hunted out of deer stand years. I've heard to many stories and gotten to comfortable for hunting on the ground. Killed my biggest GA buck at 10 yards on the ground 3 years ago. Killed my next biggest buck in ga last year 35 yards on the ground. And I hunt high pressured property that most hunters use the if it's brown it's down rule. Clean you're setup good and get where no one else will go. And I don't use any calling, it doesn't typically work where I hunt. I find a travel route and get in the thickest lowest point I can find
@@fernandocarvallo9135 just like they mention I make sure the ground is clear of any debris so I can shift around in my setup quietly and I try to get in a low point in the terrain in thick cover
Last 3 Years bucks at 7 yds, 5 yds, and 5 yds from the ground on heavily hunted Illinois public land. Using ghillie suits and setting up watching wind, sun direction and back cover so I don't get backlit, very exciting. The one at 7 yds stood for 4-5 minutes, which is a lifetime in the deer woods, before taking the final step into my shooting lane. Bonus is that from the ground with the shooting angle you are using double lung shot is almost always assured. Downside is with my poundage those arrows are still flying and hard to recover after the shot. Best way I know to spend $20 though!
@M Maple Plenty of dead falls with those storms that went through. Be careful out there keep an eye to the sky lots of big hanging limbs and trees out there. When I find a setup I always look up to see that I am safe good luck some bucks still get old on public land just have to hit the spots no one else thinks of going.
Another tip if you are just sitting in one spot is to use a range finder and take a mental note of how far certain trees, rocks, bushes are. So there’s no guesstimating the range of the deer when it comes in.
Been watching these videos from Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦. This morning I hunted from the ground and had the hunt of a lifetime minus the harvest. I will continue to hunt from the ground as it gives a lot of flexibility
I killed my first buck from the ground this year, largely due to inspiration from watching THP videos. My practice draw revealed a swing obstacle and shooting lane obstructions. I still ended up standing to take a quartering away shot at 23 yards. Amazing experience. Thanks for the tips!!
I remember all of these hunts! I love what you guys have done since you’ve departed from Midwest Whitetail. I can see the passion for the Whitetail from each and every person on the THP! Thank you for all you guys do.
Great video guy's, im a full time ground hunter. Knowing where & how to set up, your wind, your approach. The most important thing next to wind is breaking up your outline, also knowing when it's your opportunity to make your move & draw. Just a great video man, everybody really should pay attention to it. Every detail covered in this video is highly important, I think y'all should make a video on choosing the areas to focus on & how you ultimately choose your set ups. It would tie in great with this video, God Bless you guy's!
Went hunting for the first time (finally!) last year and got my first deer from the ground. Sat in a stand for too long, didn't feel right, switched to a grassy knoll with plenty of tall weeds and got a deer in a few hours. Just felt more natural to me.
One of the best videos I've seen on ground hunting essentials. I've been following you guys for a couple years and you bring an excellent standard to the outdoors industry!
As the season approaches here in Maine, I re-watched this "tutorial" and several of THP's ground-hunt videos. I'm SO glad, Zach, that you've fallen hard for this approach. I did, too, and my two ladder stands don't get much use anymore. Being on the ground just feels better and more exciting to me. Hope you film LOTS of ground hunts this season, whether they result in kills or not!!
Hey guys! I wanted to reach out and say thank you. I watched this video and your others on ground hunting and I killed my biggest buck off the ground on 10/02/2021. I followed that up 3 weeks later by killing my second biggest buck on 10/21/2021. Both are nice 8 point bucks. I tried unsuccessfully to hunt off the ground in years past. Your information helped make the difference and helped me seal the deal.
Love this, can't get enough of ground hunting either sitting or stalking. Please do some still hunting this year. Would love to see your guys approach to this age old strategy.
I'm 45 yrs old 300 pounds but tall with bad knees so getting in a tree is a challenge so I use pop up but that creates a challenge in its self but watching Zach always ups my spirits. You definitely are my favorite to watch and learn from I've hunted since a kid and still bow hunt just gets harder as you get older thank you Zach for just being you
Solid tips Zack. I'm about done with treestand set up. I'm really excited about traveling light and setting up on the ground. Movement from on spot to another so easy. All the old timers I knew(in the 1960s and 70s) hit the dirt and put venison on the table. Right now, shotgun is my thing, both buck shot and slug. Hope to put all your tips to use. Thanks for your hard work.
Man. This video is so great. I literally went out and applied all these tips and they worked so well. The ground noise thing is huge. I called in a buck going exactly what they said. I was floored. Never had a good shot opportunity but it was for sure wild. These tips work. Thanks THP
You guys helped me bring it to the next level on the ground. The older I get the less trees I will be climbing. Although most of my deer have been taken from the ground, your tactics and aggressive style will help me doing what I love for many more years. Thanks guys!!
Could you create a video explaining where you set up on the ground in deer habitat, like bedding or transition areas, and what time and how to approach the area depending on when in the season? My biggest problem is entering an area effectively and my timing. Understanding the “if this, then this, and why” thought process is the hardest thing. I know most of that comes from experience and time spent in the woods. Maybe a video on the biggest things not to do in setting up would help too 😂. These critters are tough to hunt and kill consistently the way you guys can. Utmost respect for what you guys have accomplished.
Thanks for all the tips Zach . You are very articulate and know your stuff. I’m 87 use my ground blind with my crossbow here in Massachusetts. I’m pretty successful and wear black . Two years ago shot my biggest buck ever …,An 8 pointer, 232 #.. Bottom line.. From the moment you pick up your first bow you will always be learning..Thank you for sharing
I stared doing more ground hunting especially after the trees are bare for a couple of reasons. Terrain here in my part of New England is very hilly so finding a tree where you are not at eye level is difficult. The deer around here also look up a lot. Finally learned a few years ago, no, they don't get used to the ground blind. Maybe because it blends nice when put up in late summer but sticks out like mad after leaf fall and in winter. I've been using the Ghost Blind or stump sitting with much greater success. I still use a tree stand while leaves are on but once they are gone it is all ground game. I should also not woods where I hunt are all hardwood with few to no evergreens. Tried planting some but they just won't take. Love your videos, keep em coming!
Can you go a bit more in depth on calling whitetail. See videos on how to use the call but nothing about sequence, length of grunt, how often you do a call etc. Sure would be helpful. In my 4 years of hunting I've only seen does
Thanks THP for showing interesting new styles of hunting deer. These styles are so far outside of the box from what I was used to before. A few years ago I saw you hunting on pub land from the ground and it really surprised me. I tried it last year and had one of the best deer hunts of my life set up on the ground, and I didn’t even take a shot! Just exciting to try something new so close to deer! Thanks guys
Thank you very much for this very interesting video that I watched until the last minute. Im a full time ground hunter with my very light and very short 40 pounds Bear Supermag with which I have had great success (several mature bucks including one with 16 points at 5 yards). Hunting on the ground allows me to position myself much more easily on my territory according to the direction of the winds. I bet a lot on the « surprise effect without changing a piece of furniture in his house »..... Tomorrow morning, the wind is very good for me, the dominant is going to have quite a little surprise. Greetings from Quebec.
You guys supply the entertainment along with the education. Can't wait for October and the deer tour. I turned 60 this year and I have to admit I'm still learning from you young punks, not Ted so much though! 🤣🤣🤣
This topic pumps me up big time. I have mainly been a ground hunter all my life and really hit it hard last year. If I was a better shot and more decisive on drawing back on a buck that was walking the woodline right by me at 10-15 yards I would have filled two of my 3 tags in West Virginia with a bow 🏹. That would have been my first two deer with Archery equipment. I even had a chance at a doe in the open by using the terrain, crawling extremely slow as I kept one of the few trees 🌳 in the field between me and a group of feeding does. Stood up behind the tree 🌳 in my leafy suit as still as could be until one worked back too me. Shot for 25 when she was 20 and jumped my string so the arrow sailed over her back. Awesome experience and learned a lot. Those are such great tips and I have done many of them. Number one is definitely a great one, who wants to bump their elbow and set off their release? Another one closely related to number one is to practice shooting in the field shots not just broadside standing shots in your shoes. I actually shoot better from my butt and my knees than when I am standing. I need knee pads or pants with knee pads for all the kneeling behind bushes and other natural cover I do. I was actually going to ask Zach if he being a Colorado resident got a mule deer 🦌 tag there or somewhere. It would be great to see a stalk put on a mule deer on the channel. His and some of you all ground hunting skill set lend well to a spot and stalk mule deer 🦌 hunt. Similar to his Dakota deer last year. Thank you all for sharing. I can't wait for season and the Ungulate Tour err Deer Tour.
Zach is one of my favorite guys on the hunting public! He's HILLARIOUS! Someone told him that they liked his videos until he used face paint, he said "DARN".... its a you gotta see it for yourself lol. I hope someday I can hunt with him and he can get me set up on some big bucks! Keep at it guys! You guys are AWESOME!
When you guys call is so great. Imagine another hunter across the ridge seeing that i would be like what is going on over there😂😂. Love it. I tried havent had much luck with the ground hunting yet been close to a couple bucks havent got a shot. First year ground hunting was last year saw a bunch and learned alot. Cant wait for this year!
Great tips for sure! And I was recently down, low, and let the arrow fly from my crossbow, and hit was a direct hit on a branch or tree fall in front of the buck!
Excellent tips and with you guys audience, glad you did this. No way with my 40 plus years of hunting could I influence the hunting culture for the future like you younger guys. Watching THP reminds me of my 30’s etc. I have adjusted to my age and ability but you guys sharing knowledge hopefully it’s inspiring to today’s youth. Thanks guys and keep reaching out to the young guys and gals.
I started hunting on the ground last year and having 6 or 7 good encounters on the ground. I'm hooked for sure just got to fine tune a few things to seal the deal.
Really solid tips Zach. One for you...keep that finger behind the trigger when you are doing your practice draws...be much easier to find the arrow. Keep em coming.
Just when you convinced my to get off the ground and buy a saddle you make me want to stick to the ground game. Guess I'll wear the saddle on the ground lol.
😆 I hunt private land mostly and so I bring tree climbing gaffes and my saddle every time I hunt but I also bring a 3 gallon bucket to sit on if I end up on the ground!! Getting in clean and quiet is really the most critical element for a decent hunt, IMHO!!
This is something I never would have considered until I’ve seen a lot of THP’s successful hunts from the ground! I am still a “treestand guy”, but I think this year during mid October I am going to do some freelance stuff from the ground and see how it goes!
Zach has influenced me to start hunting off the ground. When him and Jake got that nice buck sitting in the little willows/grass back in 2017 inspired me. I've killed a few off the ground with a bow since then. Now I just have to start filming my hunts from the ground.
Amazing vid! This is great for everyone from the budget hunter to those that don't like heights. There's just not a lot of vids out there for those folks. Thanks for keeping it real! Happy hunting!
Excellent…appreciate your help. The reality and success are sometimes very far apart. I will add a couple things I picked up from this video and try to bring the two closer together! Thanks!
On a side note you guys kill it on the footage. I have a GoPro hookup now and I cannot believe how you get it done under pressure situations. One time I hit my on button twice turning it on and off before the shot, the other time I couldn't move to turn it on because old laser eyes was watching, and the third time I missed some equally spectacular footage when I left the GoPro at home (Pretty much guaranteeing I would get something, kind of a good trade off). The last time I would have had all day to get it set up since the buck was working a scrape line and was taking his time getting back to me. I walked in on his scrape line in the morning and the scrapes were Red Hot! windy and not a leaf in them. I got him on the return circuit at about 9am. He saw my back pack but not me a lesson to everyone to hide yourself AND all your equipment.
As a beginner hunter, this was super helpful. I can only hunt public land and I'm not comfortable leaving a stand there so ground hunting is my only solution.
Good tips, especially the practice draw one. Last year I was on a hunt with my rifle. I was looking through my scope and wasn’t aware of where my barrel was covered up by some plastic. I shot and my bullet went through the plastic. I got the deer. But that is a great tip
What are the things that y'all look for to decide between hunting on the ground vs hunting from a tree? I'm hoping to do my first public land hunt this year and any advice is appreciated!
If its public land, make sure you study the area carefully, note where all the hunters park and find a part of the WMA that is hard to access without putting some work in to get to it...GET AWAY FROM THE CROWDS.. make sure if your going to be into steep terrain like bluffs, ridges, ravines, etc...make sure you study the lay of the land and put careful consideration into how the deer move through that area..look for saddles ( where one mountain dips down into a low point before connecting to another ridge, they are dynamite deer funnels.. Finding fingers on ridges is another awsome deer funnel And a great place to intercept a big buck.. Last tip...cedar thickets are big buck killing grounds..
I used the ground noise trick last season because of the THP videos. Watching yall rattle and tear up the ground, leaves, and saplings, got me to try it. Twice I called in big 8s within 10 minutes of that rattling session. One, I wasn't ready for and spotted me, the second time I tried it, I shot my biggest deer so far. Thanks THP. Also, almost had a copperhead crawl in my lap while ground hunting.
Sounds like an exciting time for a lot of reasons! Congrats on the buck!
Great job Jonathan! I was inspired by Zach to hunt on the ground this season in his September 2022 appearance on the Wired to Hunt podcast. I set up in a cluster of trees in a full leaf suit from North Mountain gear. About 12:15 I heard a loud, aggressive, and abrupt stomping in the brush behind me. A 130-140-inch buck stopped in, what I'm assuming, was my track to my tree, and paused to sniff the ground. He was about 12 yards from me! I had my Tethrd predator platform buckled to the tree - about 2 feet off the ground, and I was facing in the wrong direction. As I slowly rotated clockwise to get in a standing position to draw, the buck was also rotating. He got to a perfect broadside position at 12 yards, and looked at me like, why is this tree moving???? And then he bolted. I was seconds away from smoking a respectable buck on public in Oklahoma from the ground and I failed. However I'm thankful for that failure because I learned so much that I'll apply to future hunts. And it's like you said - thanks to THP. I really took to heart on that podcast episode what Zach said about not being afraid to fail.
wait till you use it for turkeys
I mainly hunt public with an x bow. So much lighter from the ground- I pack Cammo burlap or netting on my bag - I run line thru it with a carabiner on each side…
I put that around some brush or trees to make a makeshift blind if I’m too exposed. Gives great vertical and horizontal cover.
Nothing Like Taking a Whitetail on The Ground. Knee Replacement In March and now I need a complete left shoulder replacement. It kills me to climb with My Shoulder. I came close Monday Morning on a real nice 8 point. 12/15 yards away in waist and chest high Marsh grass covering His Vitals. I just didn't want to chance the shot! Thanks for The Video Zach!
I'm so excited for deer season. I'm an Okie. I have a lifetime license. In 2021, I got 5 deer. With a lifetime, I can get 6. This was the first time I have ever taken more than 1 in a season and also my first archery kills.
I used a crossbow last fall. I got a compound bow for Christmas (thank you, me), and I have been practicing almost daily.
Thanks for the videos. These help me know what I need to change. My results speak for themselves (although there was a lot of luck for me this year). Keep it up!
100% of my hunting, so far, has been from the ground. Spot & stalk or ground blind or makeshift cover. These are the tips I've been waiting for. I can feel it. This will be the season I land my first buck. Thanks to the tips learned from here I've gotten the closest I have ever been last season (couldn't seal the deal due to not having a clear shot) but still. I'm excited!
Good luck! Keep after 'em!
You sound just like myself there geekazoid. I sadly missed three does, didn't draw on a really nice buck coming to me at 15 yards and other opportunities. I'm pumped for a redemption season. 🏹🦌
@@TheHuntingPublic update to this: Had the biggest buck of my life, ninja stalk up on me last night at 15 yards. I had some cover. I was in shadow. Knew I was something but didn't blow or bust. I waited to draw until his head was behind a tree and as soon as I drew he spooked out. It was heartbreaking. I'm just hoping because he wasn't blowing or anything that I didn't ruin a future hunt on him (I've narrowed down his bedding)
@@geekazoid1983 all bucks are diffrent in that regard,
But if he didnt act too awful startled and didnt smell you,
Chances are you may get see him again
You ever go back to that spot? I shot and missed a doe this year and the next few days multiple deer came through that spot that I’ve never seen before almost investigating where I was sitting.
After watching THP, I started making more noise on the ground. BIG difference. Called in 4 bucks last year and took 2 of them. Thanks THP!
Clearing the leaves out under your feet also stirs up the soil scent to help cover yours. Practice drawing and holding your bow for extended period of time from kneeling/sitting position. Ground hunting and a good breeze go well together. Cover movement and sound. All good tips guys. Tree stands are awesome but not always the solution. You will get busted a lot bowhunting from the ground, but sometimes, everything comes together, and the victory is sweet.
THP is the best thing to happen to hunting since Fred Bear.
Zach is my most favorite out of all the THP crew. His stalking abilities are second to none. That hunt in North Dakota where he stalked a bedded buck with Jake filming was Epic!
Zach is a beast, love watching him stalk these deer. he goes straight into stealth mode for sure. he is a blast to watch.
I have several GREAT ground spots I hunt, and they're both deadfalls along a creek-line that runs East-West. One's on the North-Side of the creek, the other is on the South-Side of the creek (about 200 yards apart), and I hunt them based on the wind. Both are between bedding and feeding areas and between two major crossings. I also wear HECS (WORTH IT"S WEIGHT IN GOLD...TRUST ME), under my regular Camo.
I can get to both of them pretty easy as well (normal water depth is 6-8 inches). It's an Urban/Surburban Area that has a few parks and golf courses that are connected by woodlands. While others are hunting the WMA'S or Private Property miles away, I can be where I hunt in 15-20 minutes walking the creek!
as a new bow hunter in new england looking for whitetail i’m eager to use friends tree stands but the allure of ground hunting, sneaking into an area you think is productive and setting up a little natural ground blind just excites me ! i’m up for the challenge.
I haven't hunted out of deer stand years. I've heard to many stories and gotten to comfortable for hunting on the ground. Killed my biggest GA buck at 10 yards on the ground 3 years ago. Killed my next biggest buck in ga last year 35 yards on the ground. And I hunt high pressured property that most hunters use the if it's brown it's down rule. Clean you're setup good and get where no one else will go. And I don't use any calling, it doesn't typically work where I hunt. I find a travel route and get in the thickest lowest point I can find
What do you mean by "clean your setup" and "thickest lowest point"?
@@fernandocarvallo9135 just like they mention I make sure the ground is clear of any debris so I can shift around in my setup quietly and I try to get in a low point in the terrain in thick cover
@@timothyhowell7047 thanks for the reply! I got excited and asked you before finishing the video😆
@@fernandocarvallo9135 ha, it's all good. No problem at all
Last 3 Years bucks at 7 yds, 5 yds, and 5 yds from the ground on heavily hunted Illinois public land. Using ghillie suits and setting up watching wind, sun direction and back cover so I don't get backlit, very exciting. The one at 7 yds stood for 4-5 minutes, which is a lifetime in the deer woods, before taking the final step into my shooting lane. Bonus is that from the ground with the shooting angle you are using double lung shot is almost always assured. Downside is with my poundage those arrows are still flying and hard to recover after the shot. Best way I know to spend $20 though!
@M Maple Plenty of dead falls with those storms that went through. Be careful out there keep an eye to the sky lots of big hanging limbs and trees out there. When I find a setup I always look up to see that I am safe good luck some bucks still get old on public land just have to hit the spots no one else thinks of going.
Ground blinds rock. Got 2 deer from my ground blind this year Best season ever!! Thanks.
Another tip if you are just sitting in one spot is to use a range finder and take a mental note of how far certain trees, rocks, bushes are. So there’s no guesstimating the range of the deer when it comes in.
Been watching these videos from Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦. This morning I hunted from the ground and had the hunt of a lifetime minus the harvest. I will continue to hunt from the ground as it gives a lot of flexibility
I killed my first buck from the ground this year, largely due to inspiration from watching THP videos. My practice draw revealed a swing obstacle and shooting lane obstructions. I still ended up standing to take a quartering away shot at 23 yards. Amazing experience. Thanks for the tips!!
This was great. I much more enjoy being on the ground and stalking. Love the call-in tip on natural noise
Tools in the bag! Love it! If you find a good tree, get in a tree, if there is a great spot to sit on the ground, stay on the ground. Be adaptable!!
I remember all of these hunts! I love what you guys have done since you’ve departed from Midwest Whitetail. I can see the passion for the Whitetail from each and every person on the THP! Thank you for all you guys do.
Great video guy's, im a full time ground hunter. Knowing where & how to set up, your wind, your approach. The most important thing next to wind is breaking up your outline, also knowing when it's your opportunity to make your move & draw.
Just a great video man, everybody really should pay attention to it. Every detail covered in this video is highly important, I think y'all should make a video on choosing the areas to focus on & how you ultimately choose your set ups. It would tie in great with this video, God Bless you guy's!
Went hunting for the first time (finally!) last year and got my first deer from the ground. Sat in a stand for too long, didn't feel right, switched to a grassy knoll with plenty of tall weeds and got a deer in a few hours. Just felt more natural to me.
You guys are some of the best out there on TH-cam- constantly providing entertaining and educational videos. Keep up the great work.
One of the best videos I've seen on ground hunting essentials. I've been following you guys for a couple years and you bring an excellent standard to the outdoors industry!
Good info. So glad Zach brought up front cover/sight window issue! Not saying I learned the hard way, but…😎
ground hunts are the best Content on TH-cam It just shows that anyone can hunt from the ground Keep it coming keep it real
As the season approaches here in Maine, I re-watched this "tutorial" and several of THP's ground-hunt videos. I'm SO glad, Zach, that you've fallen hard for this approach. I did, too, and my two ladder stands don't get much use anymore. Being on the ground just feels better and more exciting to me. Hope you film LOTS of ground hunts this season, whether they result in kills or not!!
I enjoy your videos above all others. You are good young folks who hunt with great skill, great humor, appropriate joy and huge respect for the hunt.
Hey guys!
I wanted to reach out and say thank you. I watched this video and your others on ground hunting and I killed my biggest buck off the ground on 10/02/2021. I followed that up 3 weeks later by killing my second biggest buck on 10/21/2021. Both are nice 8 point bucks. I tried unsuccessfully to hunt off the ground in years past. Your information helped make the difference and helped me seal the deal.
Love this, can't get enough of ground hunting either sitting or stalking. Please do some still hunting this year. Would love to see your guys approach to this age old strategy.
I'm 45 yrs old 300 pounds but tall with bad knees so getting in a tree is a challenge so I use pop up but that creates a challenge in its self but watching Zach always ups my spirits. You definitely are my favorite to watch and learn from I've hunted since a kid and still bow hunt just gets harder as you get older thank you Zach for just being you
One of the only tactics that I couldn’t figure out. Thank you boys
Glad you are back on the deer hunt. Thanks as we will be ground hunting this year in Tennessee.
Solid tips Zack. I'm about done with treestand set up. I'm really excited about traveling light and setting up on the ground. Movement from on spot to another so easy. All the old timers I knew(in the 1960s and 70s) hit the dirt and put venison on the table. Right now, shotgun is my thing, both buck shot and slug. Hope to put all your tips to use. Thanks for your hard work.
Man. This video is so great. I literally went out and applied all these tips and they worked so well. The ground noise thing is huge. I called in a buck going exactly what they said. I was floored. Never had a good shot opportunity but it was for sure wild. These tips work. Thanks THP
Thanks for the great tips, guys. Y'all have taught me more about deer hunting than anyone except my old man! Keep up the good work.
You guys helped me bring it to the next level on the ground. The older I get the less trees I will be climbing. Although most of my deer have been taken from the ground, your tactics and aggressive style will help me doing what I love for many more years. Thanks guys!!
Seriously believe THP is making Fred Bear type contributions to an obsession I have pursued for over 40 years.
Bow hunting.
Could you create a video explaining where you set up on the ground in deer habitat, like bedding or transition areas, and what time and how to approach the area depending on when in the season? My biggest problem is entering an area effectively and my timing. Understanding the “if this, then this, and why” thought process is the hardest thing. I know most of that comes from experience and time spent in the woods. Maybe a video on the biggest things not to do in setting up would help too 😂. These critters are tough to hunt and kill consistently the way you guys can. Utmost respect for what you guys have accomplished.
Thanks for all the tips Zach . You are very articulate and know your stuff. I’m 87 use my ground blind with my crossbow here in Massachusetts. I’m pretty successful and wear black . Two years ago shot my biggest buck ever …,An 8 pointer, 232 #.. Bottom line.. From the moment you pick up your first bow you will always be learning..Thank you for sharing
I stared doing more ground hunting especially after the trees are bare for a couple of reasons. Terrain here in my part of New England is very hilly so finding a tree where you are not at eye level is difficult. The deer around here also look up a lot. Finally learned a few years ago, no, they don't get used to the ground blind. Maybe because it blends nice when put up in late summer but sticks out like mad after leaf fall and in winter. I've been using the Ghost Blind or stump sitting with much greater success. I still use a tree stand while leaves are on but once they are gone it is all ground game. I should also not woods where I hunt are all hardwood with few to no evergreens. Tried planting some but they just won't take.
Love your videos, keep em coming!
I was literally listening to your podcast yesterday at work and was like “they should make a video about ground hunting” 😂
Can you go a bit more in depth on calling whitetail. See videos on how to use the call but nothing about sequence, length of grunt, how often you do a call etc. Sure would be helpful. In my 4 years of hunting I've only seen does
Will do a calling video at some point. That's a good idea!
@@TheHuntingPublic much appreciated
Love these types of videos from THP! Keep em’ comin’ …
Good advice .. From my experience back cover, and staying still worked great. Had a young deer walk in the blind with me once !
Thanks THP for showing interesting new styles of hunting deer. These styles are so far outside of the box from what I was used to before. A few years ago I saw you hunting on pub land from the ground and it really surprised me. I tried it last year and had one of the best deer hunts of my life set up on the ground, and I didn’t even take a shot! Just exciting to try something new so close to deer! Thanks guys
You guys are the greatest!!! Helped me a ton scouting this year! Keep up the good work
Thank you very much for this very interesting video that I watched until the last minute. Im a full time ground hunter with my very light and very short 40 pounds Bear Supermag with which I have had great success (several mature bucks including one with 16 points at 5 yards). Hunting on the ground allows me to position myself much more easily on my territory according to the direction of the winds. I bet a lot on the « surprise effect without changing a piece of furniture in his house »..... Tomorrow morning, the wind is very good for me, the dominant is going to have quite a little surprise. Greetings from Quebec.
You guys supply the entertainment along with the education. Can't wait for October and the deer tour. I turned 60 this year and I have to admit I'm still learning from you young punks, not Ted so much though! 🤣🤣🤣
This topic pumps me up big time. I have mainly been a ground hunter all my life and really hit it hard last year. If I was a better shot and more decisive on drawing back on a buck that was walking the woodline right by me at 10-15 yards I would have filled two of my 3 tags in West Virginia with a bow 🏹. That would have been my first two deer with Archery equipment. I even had a chance at a doe in the open by using the terrain, crawling extremely slow as I kept one of the few trees 🌳 in the field between me and a group of feeding does. Stood up behind the tree 🌳 in my leafy suit as still as could be until one worked back too me. Shot for 25 when she was 20 and jumped my string so the arrow sailed over her back. Awesome experience and learned a lot.
Those are such great tips and I have done many of them. Number one is definitely a great one, who wants to bump their elbow and set off their release? Another one closely related to number one is to practice shooting in the field shots not just broadside standing shots in your shoes. I actually shoot better from my butt and my knees than when I am standing. I need knee pads or pants with knee pads for all the kneeling behind bushes and other natural cover I do.
I was actually going to ask Zach if he being a Colorado resident got a mule deer 🦌 tag there or somewhere. It would be great to see a stalk put on a mule deer on the channel. His and some of you all ground hunting skill set lend well to a spot and stalk mule deer 🦌 hunt. Similar to his Dakota deer last year.
Thank you all for sharing. I can't wait for season and the Ungulate Tour err Deer Tour.
Zach is one of my favorite guys on the hunting public! He's HILLARIOUS! Someone told him that they liked his videos until he used face paint, he said "DARN".... its a you gotta see it for yourself lol.
I hope someday I can hunt with him and he can get me set up on some big bucks!
Keep at it guys! You guys are AWESOME!
When you guys call is so great. Imagine another hunter across the ridge seeing that i would be like what is going on over there😂😂. Love it. I tried havent had much luck with the ground hunting yet been close to a couple bucks havent got a shot. First year ground hunting was last year saw a bunch and learned alot. Cant wait for this year!
That montage gave me hope that I can have a successful hunt from a blind this year.
Great tips for sure! And I was recently down, low, and let the arrow fly from my crossbow, and hit was a direct hit on a branch or tree fall in front of the buck!
SO thankful for this channel and all the tips and tricks you guys share👍👍
Time to get out and start scouting. Have some cameras out over mock scrape vines. Can't wait to see what I run into this season!
Good luck this season!
Great advice!!! As I age using a climber gets tougher. Thx.
I'm with you! 62 and broken down. Tired of moving tree stands. Gunna be more grounded from here on! Just being out there is a success story to me.
Hearing zachs voice with this music takes me back to the mww days
@@JimRyser great stuff thank you Jim I play your music in my head when I'm hunting really cool!
@@JimRyser love it man its good music!
Nice public hunting shows enjoy everything you show us on tips to help us hunt better Thanks !!
Great video guys! I just started hunting 2 years ago, and so far, it's been about 99% from the ground.
This is quickly becoming my favorite channel. Awesome job. 🤘🤘🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Zack is the king of ground hunting. That one buck he stalked in Nebraska seemed to have completely changed his ground game.
Excellent tips and with you guys audience, glad you did this.
No way with my 40 plus years of hunting could I influence the hunting culture for the future like you younger guys.
Watching THP reminds me of my 30’s etc.
I have adjusted to my age and ability but you guys sharing knowledge hopefully it’s inspiring to today’s youth.
Thanks guys and keep reaching out to the young guys and gals.
Enjoyed hearing the old school Midwest whitetail music in there! Sweet video very helpful.
We set in the corn tie the stalks together to create v shaped lanes one for observation the other as a quarterly shot
I started hunting on the ground last year and having 6 or 7 good encounters on the ground. I'm hooked for sure just got to fine tune a few things to seal the deal.
Can you go over tips for finding travel corridors or pinch points?
Love seeing zach in another thp video... hope to see more of him this year on the deer tour. Good luck and stay safe this year
I would like to know how y’all pick spots at a new area after checking wind direction once you pull up to your land.
Excellent segment. Very practical and useful info.
Great, very basic, and to the point tips. Keep up the great content. Love the channel and watching you guys.
Great tips! My greatest reason for not ground hunting much is dealing with other deer busting me before that buck rolls in.
Really solid tips Zach. One for you...keep that finger behind the trigger when you are doing your practice draws...be much easier to find the arrow. Keep em coming.
Just when you convinced my to get off the ground and buy a saddle you make me want to stick to the ground game. Guess I'll wear the saddle on the ground lol.
😆 I hunt private land mostly and so I bring tree climbing gaffes and my saddle every time I hunt but I also bring a 3 gallon bucket to sit on if I end up on the ground!! Getting in clean and quiet is really the most critical element for a decent hunt, IMHO!!
This is something I never would have considered until I’ve seen a lot of THP’s successful hunts from the ground! I am still a “treestand guy”, but I think this year during mid October I am going to do some freelance stuff from the ground and see how it goes!
Zach has influenced me to start hunting off the ground. When him and Jake got that nice buck sitting in the little willows/grass back in 2017 inspired me. I've killed a few off the ground with a bow since then. Now I just have to start filming my hunts from the ground.
Great video I’m looking forward to doing quite a bit of public land deer hunting this year!
Amazing vid! This is great for everyone from the budget hunter to those that don't like heights. There's just not a lot of vids out there for those folks. Thanks for keeping it real! Happy hunting!
Excellent…appreciate your help. The reality and success are sometimes very far apart. I will add a couple things I picked up from this video and try to bring the two closer together! Thanks!
On a side note you guys kill it on the footage. I have a GoPro hookup now and I cannot believe how you get it done under pressure situations. One time I hit my on button twice turning it on and off before the shot, the other time I couldn't move to turn it on because old laser eyes was watching, and the third time I missed some equally spectacular footage when I left the GoPro at home (Pretty much guaranteeing I would get something, kind of a good trade off). The last time I would have had all day to get it set up since the buck was working a scrape line and was taking his time getting back to me. I walked in on his scrape line in the morning and the scrapes were Red Hot! windy and not a leaf in them. I got him on the return circuit at about 9am. He saw my back pack but not me a lesson to everyone to hide yourself AND all your equipment.
Great advice! Good luck filling those tags this fall👍
Appreciate the information guys! This is my second year hunting but first bow hunting and I need all the help I can get. Trying these tips out today 👍
Great information, enjoy your videos immensely. Your down to earth style and passion really come through. Keep up the great work!!
As a beginner hunter, this was super helpful. I can only hunt public land and I'm not comfortable leaving a stand there so ground hunting is my only solution.
Good tips, especially the practice draw one. Last year I was on a hunt with my rifle. I was looking through my scope and wasn’t aware of where my barrel was covered up by some plastic. I shot and my bullet went through the plastic. I got the deer. But that is a great tip
Awesome tips and info! Thanks for the detailed videos, THP!
Please do a video on how you do your scent control!! I am super interested in moving my hunting game to the ground.
What are the things that y'all look for to decide between hunting on the ground vs hunting from a tree? I'm hoping to do my first public land hunt this year and any advice is appreciated!
If its public land, make sure you study the area carefully, note where all the hunters park and find a part of the WMA that is hard to access without putting some work in to get to it...GET AWAY FROM THE CROWDS..
make sure if your going to be into steep terrain like bluffs, ridges, ravines, etc...make sure you study the lay of the land and put careful consideration into how the deer move through that area..look for saddles ( where one mountain dips down into a low point before connecting to another ridge, they are dynamite deer funnels..
Finding fingers on ridges is another awsome deer funnel
And a great place to intercept a big buck..
Last tip...cedar thickets are big buck killing grounds..
I still saying you are the best or one of the best from the ground for real…. Thanks for the tips!
I got myself a Colorado elk tag as well... but mine is for 1st rifle season
Good luck! Ted and Hayden have first rifle tags as well!
Can you guys do a video on tips for spot and stalking? Love the videos!
Hope to in the future!
I’ve been doing everything wrong! First year out, wow this will hopefully change things for me!
Great video! We hope to put this to use on some public land down in Texas this year!
We never ground hunt for deer around here, but I’m gonna start now this looks like it would be even more fun cause you have to be more stealthy
Awesome as usual thanks THP for another great video.
Scent is especially important when on the ground. A handful of pine or cedar rubbed and ground into your clothes can be good.
I'm gonna try some of these tips. Missed a buck other day,, goin back in to a little hotspot I got,, . Great video by the way.
So true I tell everybody grunting from the ground way better than elevated
Can wait to see the videos of those hunts
Unfortunately we don’t have whitetail where I live but I could probably do this to hunt other things
REally great tips here! Thanks boys!