Ground Game: How to Kill Deer Without a Treestand

It can be a great strategy when you need to move fast and stay flexible. Luckily, it doesn’t demand much. As long as you understand the wind direction, scent (definitely ditch the Camels), and you have a good grip on the terrain, you can get some of the best shot opportunities with your boots firmly planted on terra firma.

Whether you’re dealing with limited public land regulations or you’re tired of lugging gear up and down a tree, this guide will help you elevate your ground game.

When you don’t have a good climbing tree or the terrain offers limited shot opportunities, your best bet might be keeping your feet on the earth. Ground hunting allows you to move, adjust, and make quick decisions without lugging around a climber or worrying about a platform. You’re more likely to adjust your setup if you don’t have to break down your “mobile” setup. That also means you don’t have to worry about making a ton of noise attaching climbing sticks or a stand to a tree.

For this reason, hunting from the ground helps keep things covert. Climbers are notoriously noisy, and even the best climbing sticks can be loud if you’re not careful. I’ve ruined plenty of potentially good hunts with a tap of a bow on metal or the squeak of a rickety stand. On the ground, you can settle in quietly, make more natural sounds, and let deer come to you. It can also mean you don’t have to hike in two hours before daylight just to make sure the woods settle before shooting light.

Ground hunting also opens up terrain that treestands can’t touch, like narrow funnels, thick brush, steep creek bottoms, or rocky outcrops. And for public land hunters, ground hunting keeps you within the rules while still giving access to all the good spots, since regulations often limit permanent setups.

Unlike a lot of mobile hunting tactics, you don’t need fancy gear to hunt from the ground. No ladders, no heavy platforms, no back-breaking trips. You can move light and stay flexible. And when the weather turns wet or frosty, you don’t have to worry about slipping on steps or platforms.

Because you’ll be moving more than you would in a treestand, you’ll want to wear silent, lightweight clothing. Ideally, it should keep you comfortable while sitting, kneeling, or crouching for extended periods of time. It can be a good idea to bring something to sit on. Anything from a cut tarp to a cushion or lightweight stool works. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just enough to keep your backside off cold, hard dirt. Something with a bit of padding can make it easier to sit still for longer stretches. If you prefer kneeling shots, consider investing in some western hunting pants that include knee pads.

Beyond that, find a good spot. Wedge yourself against a tree, curl into a patch of brush, or tuck behind a log or boulder. Just make sure you don’t pin yourself in without any shooting lanes. Accessories like shooting sticks or pop-up blinds can help, but aren’t essential. Keep your pack light so you can move quickly and quietly if needed.

You can get away with a lot from the treestand, so you need to be hyperaware when you hunt from the ground. It doesn’t differ from treestand hunting when it comes to learning deer travel and feeding patterns. However, you should give more thought to your shot setup, since you’ll be at eye level with deer.

Of course, you still have to play the wind at ground level. A treestand mostly keeps your scent wafting above a deer’s primary detection zone, but on the ground, you don’t have that luxury. I learned that the hard way when I set up completely unaware that the wind was carrying my scent toward a deer trail I overlooked. The first doe that came through sounded the alarm for every whitetail in the tri-county area. Always, always, always check the wind. Setting up downwind is a safe bet, but if you can’t make that happen, consider moving to another spot. You don’t want the deer on edge when it comes time to make a shot.

Unlike treestand hunting, you have flat shot angles on the ground. However, you might have more brush or terrain to deal with, and deer can pick up even the slightest movement. That means shot selection is critical.

Focus on realistic windows, and don’t force a shot just because a deer pops into range. Take the time to position yourself so you have a clean lane and a solid angle. If you’re bowhunting, pick out spots where the deer might pass and allow you to draw your bow unseen. Scan your surroundings and try to imagine every scenario where a deer might travel; that way, you’re not surprised when that buck pops out in a different location. When it does happen, don’t rush the shot. Wait for a good opportunity or pass. Ground hunting rewards patience as much as precision.

Don’t think of hunting from the ground as a last resort. Instead, think of it as another tool in your box of hunting strategies. Sometimes treestands or “mobile” setups give us the false security of concealment, but they probably slow us down more than we realize. You’ll mess up hunting on the ground, but everyone does. But, with a little practice, you can experience the thrill of tagging a whitetail at eye level.