Ground Hunting Whitetail Deer: A Proven and Rewarding Approach

By Rex Meikle

When most hunters think about pursuing whitetail deer, tree stands and elevated enclosed blinds come to mind. But there’s an equally effective, and often overlooked, method: ground hunting whitetail deer. To some, it may seem like the obvious traditional approach, while others couldn't fathom hunting in such a primitive fashion.

This fall, I was reminded of just how effective ground hunting can be.

A Conversation That Sparked the Debate

All summer long, while my intern Evan and I were setting up for Door Born events, our conversations often drifted to hunting. One topic that came up again and again was the effectiveness of hunting whitetail deer from the ground. I shared with him how, during turkey season, I’d had several deer walk within bow range, sometimes as close as five yards, and how those encounters had inspired me to try more ground hunting this fall. Evan was skeptical. He couldn’t understand why anyone would choose the ground when tree stands keep scent higher and out of a deer’s nose. I countered that throughout history, far more deer have been harvested from the ground than from elevated stands. Evan’s reply was simple: once hunters had the choice and opportunity to hunt from an elevated stand, they’ve never looked back. Needless to say, we didn't see eye to eye. But I guess it’s hard to when one of you is up in a tree stand and the other is sitting on the ground. 

My First Ground Hunt of the Season

I waited for one of the first cool evenings after the start of bow season to try a ground hunt. I tucked myself behind a pile of stacked timber from my family's dying ash swamp. With thick cedar trees behind me, I knew I had a solid natural backdrop. The setup overlooked an alfalfa field slightly higher in elevation than my position. I wasn’t even sitting; I stood in a small opening that blended seamlessly with the cover.

Within about an hour of sunset, two does entered the field and walked within range. They had no clue I was there. I pulled my bow back to full draw, with complete concealment from the lumber in front of me, and waited for the doe to enter my shooting window. With my 30-yard pin glowing red in her bread basket, I let the arrow fly. Even after my shot passed through both lungs, neither doe detected me. The hunt ended with a successful harvest—and a story to bring back to Evan.

How to Successfully Ground Hunt Whitetail Deer 

Backdrop and Concealment

One of the most important parts of ground hunting is having the right backdrop. You want to break up your silhouette and disappear into your surroundings. Thick cedars, brush piles, fallen logs, or even a slight rise in the terrain behind you all work. The one mistake you cannot make is sitting where your body stands out against the horizon. This will make it extremely easy for deer to see you and move away from the area. If you’re properly blended in, deer will often walk right past without knowing you’re there.

Wind and Thermals

The second key to success is scent control. I know you’re bombarded with marketing campaigns about sprays and scent-free clothing, but in my opinion it's mostly snake oil. If your scent is blowing toward a deer, they’ll bust you almost every time. It is essential to always keep the wind in your face. If the wind is at your back and blowing towards the deer, it will move your scent to them. Try to have multiple spots to choose from, depending on the day’s wind conditions. Thermals add another layer to scent distribution and are often confusing to beginning hunters. I’ll break it down very simply for you, though. In the morning, warming air carries scent uphill; in the evening, cooling air pulls scent downhill. Hunt high in the mornings and low in the evenings to stay undetected. Don’t just look at your phone to find the wind direction. I’m always on the lookout for milkweed seedpods and keep one on me always when hunting. Release seeds from the milkweed to easily see how the wind and thermals are working in your area. 

Movement Discipline

On the ground, movement is magnified. Deer are wired to catch the slightest flicker of motion, so stillness is critical. If you do need to move, do it painfully slow! Scratching your face should take ten to fifteen seconds. That may sound extreme, but practicing slow, deliberate movement will keep you from being picked off by a deer’s sharp eyes. I suggest practicing outside of hunting when at school, work, or on long commutes. The best way to limit movement is to get comfortable. I do this by sitting on a low-profile camp chair. You know, the ones that keep you just a few inches above the ground, are quite compact when folded up, and have hardly any weight. To be honest, my favorite one is from Walmart and you can find it here. 

Noise Discipline

Noise can ruin a ground hunt quicker than anything else. Your clothing needs to be quiet, so avoid fabrics that crinkle or that scrape loudly against branches and grass. Before settling in, take some time to clear the ground where you will sit. Remove sticks, twigs, roots, crunchy leaves, and small plants that could snap or rustle when you move. Do this every time you revisit a spot, since new debris often collects between hunts. In addition to natural sounds, avoid unnatural noises as well. Keep metal from clinking, make sure your phone is silenced, and avoid throat clearing or blowing your nose when deer might be near. The quieter you are, the better your chances. Focus on steady breathing, staying engaged, and keeping your eyes moving across your surroundings.

Concealment of Skin

Even if you’re wearing full camouflage, exposed skin can give you away. Your hands and face stand out, especially in low light. Gloves, camo hat, a face mask, or a neck gaiter can help you vanish into your surroundings. If you’re a face-paint guy, have at it, but I don’t think my aesthetician fiancée would endorse going that route.

When it’s time to draw your bow, do it only when the deer’s eyes are blocked by a tree, brush, or when they're looking away. That way, your motion will go unnoticed. This is the point in the hunt when you’re most likely to be seen by the deer, so you must keep your composure and wait for your opportunity.

Shot Placement

Shooting from the ground changes your arrow's trajectory. Unlike a tree stand, your shot is almost level with the deer’s body. Aim low, tight to the shoulder, to account for this flatter angle while anticipating the deer dropping slightly at the sound of your shot. After hitting a deer, be sure to mark the last spot you saw the deer. Using a compass or a waypoint can make tracking far easier. Because your exit wound won’t be as low on the cavity, there will likely be less blood at the spot of the shot, and your arrow may bury itself in the ground behind the animal. This is why it’s essential to know the last place the deer was seen to start tracking from.

The Reward of Ground Hunting

The true reward of ground hunting whitetails is the intimacy of the experience. When you’re hunting at eye level, every encounter feels closer, sharper, and packed with adrenaline. Having a deer walk within bow range while you’re on the same plane puts your senses on overdrive in a way a tree stand can’t match.

Ground hunting also strips things back to the essentials. There’s no need to haul a tree stand on your back, climb into position, or set up a bulky ground blind. Instead, you use the cover nature provides. It’s simpler, lighter, and more connected. Without all the extra gear, you stay more present in the hunt. There’s less distraction, less fiddling with equipment, and less time scrolling your phone. When you’re on the ground, you’re grounded in the hunt itself.

I hope this article will help you find success in the woods. Hunting, particularly bow hunting, has been an extremely rewarding and spiritually grounding part of my life, and I hope you can get as much out of it as I have. 

Best of luck. 

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