Bowhunting From The Ground

More bowhunters are recognizing the benefits of hunting whitetails on the ground. Until a decade ago, most bowhunters preferred to bowhunt exclusively from trees. As pop-up ground blinds became more popular, more hunters have realized bowhunting from the ground is safer and more enjoyable. If you are thinking about bowhunting from the ground this fall, below are a few tips to help you increase your odds of success.

1. If you are planning to hunt from a pop-up blind, place it in the woods weeks before the season opens. Brushing it in is wise. Make it look like part of the landscape. If you don’t have time to set it out ahead of time or you are hunting on public land, don’t put the blind deep in the woods; consider putting it in an open field. Brooks Johnson, Founder of Double Bull Blinds says deer don’t mind seeing a blind in an open area because they can check it out as they approach it. A blind that suddenly appears in the woods often spooks deer. “Deer need time to get used to a blind. They either need to see it in the open as they approach or if it is near a bedding area or travel route, it needs to be there a while,” Johnson advised.
2. When choosing a blind, consider one that isn’t shaped like a square. Whether you purchase a bale blind, a blind that is shaped more like a tipi, or a conventional camping tent, deer often spook at the sight of a square blind. A round blind or triangle shaped blind blends in better.
3. When hunting from a ground blind, make sure you are completely scent free. A blind can help contain human odor but not all of it. Use a ScentLok suit, an Ozonics, or spray down in scent-free spray.
4. Another option is hunting without a blind. I have killed several bucks on the ground without using a blind. This option gives you complete freedom because you keep the wind in your face and hunt. You can hide under a tree with low hanging branches, hide near a brush pile or even wear a Ghillie suit. Hunting without a blind requires you to remain motionless but filling a tag this way is easier than most people think.
5. One of the biggest challenges of bowhunting from the ground in a blind or without a blind is what to do with your bow while you are waiting on a buck. The Kwik Stand from Pine Ridge Archery solves the problem. The Kwik Stand is an easy-to-use stand that has jaws that grip your bow limb and legs that hold your bow in the upright position. The Kwik Stand keeps your bow upright and ready at all times.

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