Dano . . .I usually find a tree that was a lot of brush immediately behind/beside it. I have very little obsticles in front of me in most cases. The idea is to break up my outline with the brush behind me. It works real well until the deer get within 15 yards. The closer they get, the better they see. Any adjustments I make, I try to do so before the deer get within 20 yards. Once they break that barrier, I freeze until they look the other way or get their head behind a tree or something. However, the set-up is everything . . .it's easy to get the wind in your face, the harder part is determining the direction from which the deer will be coming. However, this part is fairly easy too, you just get the occasional surprise. Like you said, hunting from the ground gives me a lot of advantages from a set-up stand point. Being on the ground leaves me open to being busted and I get a kick out of that challange. I travel lite . . .I only bring a pad to sit on. It's one of those dense foam things. Not very comfortable . . .my backside gets to hurting after a couple of hours. I start making more and more adjustments the longer I sit. I can tell how long I've been in the woods by how long I can sit still between adjustments.
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I have also found that pine trees are the best to sit under. They keep me dryer in a rain, the soil is softer, and the pine needles soften the noise. I like to be on higher ground when possible too. First thing I do is remove all the leaves from around my sitting area. It's safe to sleep and sometimes I do.
Particle . . .I'm with you buddy . . .I've experienced those mishaps. It's a continual learning experience. I figure if I'm hunting for deer and I see deer, then it's a successful hunt. However, if I go out to kill a deer and I do not, then it's unsuccessful. The hunt was successful, however, I also went out to bring one home.
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So, in reality it was both.
Ray . . .you asked if I was consistantly sucessful. Well, depends on your definition. I have averaged 5 deer per year for the last several years. I haven't went scoreless since my second year hunting, 30 years ago. So, I think that's consistantly successful. However, Mike P. would consider it a complete failure because I have not mounted anything that scores. However, I give the majority of the meat to the hungry. The families that get the meat are really excited when I call. . .that's a great feeling.
I'd rather wear out than rust out.
Perception trumps intention.
2006 Exomax w/Agingcrossbower Custom Stock
20" Easton Powerbolts w/125gr Trophy Ridge Stricknines & 2"Blazers
Boo Custom Strings
2006 Vixen