Updated March 2023
Hunting whitetails from the ground can be an exciting and very different experience than hunting from a treestand. Unlike a treestand, hunting from the ground, allows you to get eye-level with deer for increased intensity. Hunting from the ground is also where many bowhunters start when they are new to the sport. Advanced bowhunters also use ground hunting tactics at times for getting into areas that aren’t suitable for a treestand. Ground blinds have also become popular as effective tools for concealment when hunting on the ground. Whatever your reason is for hunting on the ground, below are a few tips on how to stack the odds in your favor when getting eye-to-eye with a trophy buck.
Reasons for Hunting From the Ground
- Not having a treestand
- Lack of trees in an area for hanging a treestand such as fields, marshes, thick areas, bedding areas or proximity to a food source
- Scouting or learning a new area
- Increased mobility
- Spot and stalk hunting
- Fear of heights
- An older hunter
Tips for Bowhunting Whitetails from the Ground
- Concealment – Being camouflaged when hunting from the ground is extremely important. Because you are hunting at eye-level of a whitetail, there is a better chance of being spotted. Some hunters prefer to use ground blinds to conceal themselves. Building a natural blind is also a possibility by using surrounding brush and concealing your silhouette as much as possible. Either option can lead to success depending on your location and strategy. The use of a ghillie suite can also help conceal yourself without the use of a blind when hunting on the ground. Ghillie suites make it easy to brush your body in with your surroundings to break up your silhouette to deer. Also, because of the close proximity to deer you might be, a camouflage face mask will help hide your face which can be easy for deer to spot.
- Limit Movement – When a deer is in sight, or quickly approaching, it is important to be conscious of any movement you make, even more so if you are not in a blind. Unlike a treestand where you are well-above deer, movement is more easily detected when you are eye level. It is important be as still as possible and only move when you are certain that a deer is not looking. This gets even more tricky when there are multiple deer near you. The biggest movement you should have to make is drawing your bow. Make sure that deer are looking away or have their heads down when drawing back. It also helps if you clear the ground around your feet of any dead leaves or small sticks that could make sound if you have to shift your feet.
- Location – The location you are hunting when on the ground is also important. One of the main advantages of hunting from a treestand is the better visibility. When on the ground, you have a limited view in most cases. This means you have to pick the precise location to set up where you think you will have a clear shot. If you are anticipating deer using a trail, it is best to set up 15-20 yards away to avoid deer getting too close to you and spooking. In a treestand you can let deer walk right under you. This is harder to do when a young deer walks right up to you on the ground. You should also carefully plan out your shooting lanes if you are in a heavily wooded area.
- Scent Control – When hunting from the ground, you should pay special attention to your scent. In a treestand, you can sometimes get away with your scent because you are up high. But on the ground, your scent has nowhere to go and you become more detectable to deer. You should make sure you play the wind correctly when on the ground and do as much as you can to reduce you odor with scent control products.
- Practice – Most of the time when you are hunting from the ground, you will be using a hunting stool and will be taking seated shots. This can be a tough shot for some hunters who are used to shooting in a standing position. Practicing from a seated position will pay dividends when you are ready to take a shot at a whitetail.
Summary
If you are thinking about trying to hunt whitetails from the ground or if you have been doing it for years, there are special considerations and precautions you need to take. Hunting from the ground is not always the best option, but it can be the answer for certain situations. By following some of the tips above, you can help to increase your chances of a successful ground hunt. If anything, hunting from the ground will be an adrenaline filled experience when you see a whitetail approaching. For more articles and buyer’s guides, please check out other posts from Bowhunting Depot!