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I think I've been getting "taken" by the industry....( a short story)

toke2

Junior Member
So in my camp of 4-5 guys, I'm the one known for spending too much money on unnecessary "stuff". Personally, I don't see it. So this year, after buying a new 8 ft. Pelican pontoon boat and new electric trolling motor, and huge Marine Battery, just to get me to a more secluded spot on the public land we hunt, I decided to take an old climber "in deep" for my first hunt with water access. Had scouted the area by boat, but never hunted it yet. So I tie up my mini boat, grab my pack and climber and head up the steep ridge to the spot I had previously scouted and decided to hunt. When I say steep ridge, I mean it. Once I got to my spot where it levels out, I mount the climber and am about to hop on to ratchet up, and realize I have no tree strap for my harness. Rookie mistake. I could have rigged something, but safety first for me. So, I decided since it was already 4:45 p.m. and I only had about 3 hours - I would just stand for the hunt. In my 9 years of hunting, every (bow) hunt has been in a blind, or a stand so my expectations were low. I nestled in between a big Oak and two maple trunks, hoping they would help me break up my silhouette. I used my size 13's to clear the leaves so at least I could turn without crunching leaves. I thought "... well if nothing else, I'll chalk this up to a scouting session....". No sooner did resign myself to the fact I had no chance of seeing anything, let alone shooting anything, I saw movement over my right shoulder. A big meaty doe coming up the ridge right in my direction. She was walking briskly and before I knew it she was 15 yds. from me. She stopped raised her nose, looked around then started walking right toward me. Did I mention that my climb to my stand made me pretty sweaty since it was about 74 degrees? Since I'm right handed, I couldn't shoot her without turning 180 to my right. Now, she's right behind me, and still doesn't know I'm there. I had gloves and lightweight mask on. I knew I shouldn't move, but I literally was getting the feeling that she was right behind me and might take a few jabs at me. So, against my better judgement, I slowly turned my head, while squinting my eyes. She caught a little movement and hustled off, but did not fully spook. Wow. So much for scent control. Not 45 mins later, another mature doe came down the draw in front of me. This time to my 11 o'clock. Perfect for a right hander. She was totally oblivious to my presence, and as soon as she stepped behind an Oak - I drew on her. Two more steps and she was broadside at 10 yds. I gave her my best "MRRTTT" and she stopped dead - still broadside - and as I settled my top pin on her, I noticed that the only little sapling in the vicinity, was directly in front of her vitals. It had to be divine intervention for her, as it was the only thing keeping the arrow from flying. I knew she was looking at me now, and my only play was to lean to the right and try to improve my line. As I did, she took off and blew at me for the next 10 mins. So for all the scent control products, tree stands, I've purchased.... for all the hunting magazines I pay for each year that tell me I need to be at least 15 feet off the ground and that a deers nose can smell me from 2 miles... for all no scent body wash, deodorant, and clothes detergent I buy..... for all the crap I've flushed money away for - thinking I NEED it, this short evening hunt was one of the coolest I've had without shooting anything. Standing on the ground, just my bow and I ( and my climber in sight at the bottom of the tree 30 yds from me), I realized, that the one product I really DO need is camo. It did it's job. The moral of the story I guess is that I think we sometimes overthink our hunts. At least I do. I think sometimes just being in the right spot at the right time, and not stopping a deer at the wrong time... might just be enough. I could have taken an "iffy" shot on the second doe, but I was a boat ride from my cabin and did not want to make a bad shot. It was a great experience to be on the ground and have two deer come within 10yds! I guess maybe I don't need to buy all those gadgets and junk after all. Then again, I think I'm gonna go buy a GoPro so I can film the next one.
 
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Bigslam51

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
25,778
127
Stark County
Sounds like fun! I've only killed one deer off the ground without a blind, a doe, and it was a rush. I still prefer hunting out of a stand just because I have a bigger field of view. I quit buying scent sprays 4 years ago, waste of money, but I do have a GoPro that I don't use much lol.
 

toke2

Junior Member
Sounds like fun! I've only killed one deer off the ground without a blind, a doe, and it was a rush. I still prefer hunting out of a stand just because I have a bigger field of view. I quit buying scent sprays 4 years ago, waste of money, but I do have a GoPro that I don't use much lol.

Only one from the ground? That's awesome with a bow... I didn't think it possible until this experience. Don't get me wrong, I probably won't do it again ( until the next time I forget some key piece of gear), and I do like be in a stand. I just thought it was crazy that I was all sweaty and two deer came in so close, I coulda killed em with my Butt Out tool. It was one of those hunts you never forget.
 

"J"

Git Off My Lawn
Supporting Member
56,743
274
North Carolina
Congrats on an enlightening hunt, I’ve had my fair share of ground hunts and have a few deer taken that way and he’s it’s a complete trip to have them up close and personal..... Thanks for posting your story.....
 

bowhunter1023

Owner/Operator
Staff member
48,879
274
Appalachia
Good story! I've spent a lot of time on the ground with a bow and have killed a few from blinds. When hunting steep areas on public ground, I prefer to ground hunt actually. I can stay mobile and use the steep banks to hunt from while I over look a shelf or creek bottom. Lots of great features out there to take advantage of!
 

finelyshedded

You know what!!!
Supporting Member
31,856
260
SW Ohio
Nice post! Less or simple gets lost these days. Just hunt with the wind in your favor with a good camo pattern for the terrain you're hunting is all you need.

One thing I've learned from my experiences from hunting on the ground is you better see them long before they're able to see you so you can be already at full draw or able to so at the precise moment. If they even think they see something out of place, the stare down,head bobbing,hoof stomping and worse yet, the snorting can last for a long period of time. That leads to numbess and fatigue very quick if you're caught in a unprepared position.

I've had many up close encounters with deer over the years. Once during gun season I watched a small 6 point walk so close to me I had to slowly raise my arm so he didn't walk into me! He was a mere 8 feet or so before he stopped. He looked at me, bobbed his head a few times then walked around me only looking back once before moving on. I had a orange vest and hat on even! Bet he didn't last much longer that week as it was only Monday. Lol
 
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teenbowhunter

Junior Member
1,059
72
Delaware County
Scent control is important, probably helped her not bust ya the first time. Everything else besides camo and a decent bow is extra. All my archery deer are from the ground
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
Wow... so many have hunted with bow from the ground.... and had success. I may do it more often! It was a rush!!!

Have you never squirrel hunter?

“Sitting on the ground with no real scent control waiting on a stupid tree rat when 5 deer come over the hill and walk by at 5 yards.”

Pretty common story, lol.