From The Ground

By Buddy English

It was a cold, clear day in eastern Ohio. My friend and I had been hunting the last four days from dawn to dusk. Having traveled here from North Dakota to chase big whitetails, we were determined to spend every possible minute in the woods. I had taken a nice 17-inch eight-point during opening day of West Virginia's rifle season and was back in Ohio looking to take a corn-fed bruiser with stick and string. Although, I had seen a 160-class ten-point several days ago, he hadn't presented me with a shot. With gun season opening in two days, time was growing short. I had to take to the ground in search of my trophy...

Many people feel that harvesting a deer from the ground with a bow rivals winning the lottery for odds. However, this is far from the truth. My last five bucks were shot from the ground and if I have anything to say about it many more will follow in their place. I won't try to kid you though. There are, of course, advantages and disadvantages to leaving the trees. A ground-dweller is much more mobile than one hunting from a treestand. As conditions change, such as wind, food sources, and hunting pressure, you can reposition yourself accordingly. You also have the option of still-hunting from spot-to-spot to engage in some in-season scouting. A successful hunter scouts year round so he or she knows where the deer are and what they are doing. On the other hand, hunting from the trees gives you a visual advantage and more freedom of body movement. I have heard time and time again how treestand hunting reduces the chance of being winded by a wary whitetail. I agree, to a certain extent. Being elevated keeps your scent funnel above the deer's head, but only if you are high enough. It definitely reduces ground scent. But think about it, when was the last time that you placed a treestand with no regard to deer travel patterns or primary wind direction? As bowhunters, our first and foremost concern is the whitetail's nose. Just as in treestand hunting, a proper set-up will yield results.

After scouting all morning, I had decided to set-up on the fork of a trail laden with thigh-sized rubs. Squirting some doe-in-estrus scent on a rub and the surrounding ground, I sat back to enjoy the show. Five hours and a million squirrels later, I spotted some movement to my right. A young six-point buck was working his way past me through the brush. A few aggressive grunts on my Lohman grunt-tube and he melted into the timber. As I was trying to locate him, I heard a twig snap to my left. Another buck was heading my way down the trail!

With huge rubs abundant, I wanted to view the rack as little as possible for fear of buck fever. I noted a descent spread and eight tines then quickly concentrated on finding a shot. When the bucks head disappeared behind some brush, I brought the my bow to full draw. At twelve yards he stopped to smell the doe urine and I sent a Snuffer-tipped Easton through his lungs. With visions of grandeur, I took up the blood trail. Thirty-five yards later I was standing over a nice 100-class buck. Oops! I guess all of those huge rubs got the best of me! Was I disappointed? Nooo! He was a beautiful deer that was harvested legally with archery equipment. And the fact that I took him on his own level makes it all the sweeter!

I am not saying to throw away your treestands or to use them, but if you want a change of pace or the area you want to hunt is not treestand friendly, don't be afraid to go at it "from the ground" . After all, Mel Johnson did and he holds the world record. All 204 6/8 of it!!!!