Hunting deer from the ground

[Coodster]

Something to keep in mind that is as important as wind and scent is the thermals, good wind, good scent, if you don't know your thermals it willl bust you every time Even in a ground blind, been hunting spot and stalk deer antelope elk all my life. tried a tree stand last year and its just not my cup of soup.

[fishstu]

Thats funny

Who cares if you cann't control the adrenaline rush, at least your out there. Biggest deer I ever crossed paths w/ while bow hunting was on the ground and most memorable rush of my life. Had an area similar to what yours sounds like. Was set up on a slight knoll that gave me a little edge. While on this occasion wind was out of the east so set low across from where I normally would be. Could hear the deer walking in long before I could see him so was getting pumped. The animal was a little of the beaten path and squeezed between some bushes and a juniper tree as it entered the clearing 22 yards from me. As it came into view all I could see was the massive bones he wore above his head. This creature had the biggest crown of any I've ever encountered and started walking straight towards me. His eyes seemed to be looking right thru me as he appraoched so wasn't able to draw yet. By the time he was 8 yards away I was hyper-ventilating and shaking like a fag at a hot dog eating contest. Yep, the old buck fever hit hard. At 8 yards he stopped while he was still looking thru me, lifted his head up a little and did this weird lip curl thing like he was tasting the air. Probally, shouln't be packing a dip while hunting as I'm sure I was pumping out the old Skoal smell like a smokestack with the way I couldn't control my breathing. He turned his body 90 degrees but kept his neck craned over in my direction and walke the 6 yards out of the shooting window I had. Never even got to draw but defineately one of the most memorable hunts of the last 30+ years and one of the best rushes ever. Smaller deer and does are defineately a rush as well to me the ground hunt beats a stand any day. Not that I won't use a stand just something a lot more thrilling to when on the ground w/ my bow.

[cervinae]

Whether hunting from a tree or on the ground, point of entry and/or approach to stand or blind is essential. Establish deer bedding and eating area's. Also, I don't know what you mean when you say "trees are too young for a tree stand". Are they saplings? I have set up stands in smaller diameter trees but made a conscious effort to move further back from trail for concealment purposes. Also, this intersection of deer trails you talk about...the deer feel pretty comfortable here for some reason...figure out why.