Going to be getting into saddle hunting. I know there are times when you can’t find a good tree to get up. How successful can you be on public ground hunting off the ground? I know to take wind into consideration. Anyone have any experience with ghillie suits? Are they unnecessary if you have a good camo pattern? Any tips on how to increase your success with stalking outside of a blind?

In my younger years before I realized the benefit of tree stands I hunted on the ground very often. It's amazing how a perfectly silent and motionless individual with the proper wind can avoid detection with deer being within feet of his position. Deer are color blind so motion and scent is the only compromising issues. I use gillies for Turkey hunting but good camo is all you need for deer. Good luck!!!

I Love hound hunting . Have done both. Hunt on the ground now but in a blind . If you have the wind in your favor and move very slowly it is amazing how close you can get to a deer . If you are bow hunting and on the ground and getting within 20 yards never look directly at a deer . They can pick up the white in your eyes. But it can be done just don’t give them much movement.

I've seen creek bottoms that frequently flood where hunting from the ground offered the best view. Once you get a few feet off the ground at tree stand height, all you can see is tree limbs and leaves.

IMO, by the time you spend the money on a quality ghillie suit you could buy a couple of decent pop-up tent blinds and be better off. Just a thought.