With the exception of those hunters that nailed some 2x4's to a tree and added a pallet to make a tree stand or used some other self-made platform. Still Hunting know-how was a must. And that's the way you had to hunt before the advent of screw in steps, climbing deer stands, and other such products came along and changed deer hunting forever. Sometimes I like to get back to basics though. Maybe I'm getting old, but sometimes I just don't feel like dragging that bulky deer stand into the woods to deer hunt. And they take away the pleasure of just walking through the woods. Plus my knees have never been the best for climbing into deer stands to begin with. And while tree stands are effective, deer stands are not a sure bet for producing deer kills, and often can be counterproductive for bow hunting. There are a lot of areas where working a climbing deer stand or other such tree stands and remaining un-noticed by the deer is near impossible. So what's left? How can you hunt deer without a stand and not run dogs? The answer is still hunting from the ground. This is when we need to get back to basics and hunt like our fathers and grandfathers did. On foot. It can be done, or we likely wouldn't be here to carry on the hunting traditions of our forefathers as many of them would have starved out long ago. You have to be quit and even more aware of your sent and which way the wind is carrying it. But many a deer have been taken by this method of deer hunting. First, you'll need to think of protection from the insects while still hunting. You'll be standing still and not moving for periods of time, swatting mosquitos and flies, and picking ticks off of yourself can be very annoying and counterproductive to a deer hunter. Luckily we have products to reduce if not eliminate this problem that the old timers didn't have. You'll want to spray your clothing with Permethrin Spray Tick Repellent . This product is odorless, and bonds to the fabric retaining it's effectiveness through several washings. Then there is your scent that you must minimize. And even more important when still hunting on the ground than it is when hunting from a tree stand. There are several products for this such as the Scent-A-Way MAX Fresh Earth Scent Control Kit by Hunter's Specialties . But you will never completely eliminate the human scent. So when you're Still Hunting from the ground, make sure to stay downwind from the deer. And never cross any trails that the deer are using on your way to your natural blind. Avoid getting attracting scents on your feet. This will lead the deer right to you. The deer are too alert when following these scent trails and will spot the slightest movement you make. So as soon as you start drawing back to take a shot, it's likely the deer will spot you and take off before you get to half draw. Avoid using deer attractants near your blind for the same reason. Now you'll need to conceal yourself and defeat the deer's vision. This can be another difficult task while Still-Hunting on the ground. Deer are likely to spot a broken tree branch that was not broken before and bolt far out of bow range. You should avoid making any fast movements. Simply turning your head can alert a deer to your presence. It's a good idea to avoid caffeine for a day or so before you ground hunt as any nervous impatient movements will cost you a deer. A turkey hunter can easily tell you how still you have to be. A person that can't stay still for hours on end may want to think about a fabric blind instead of trying to hide yourself in the brush around you while Still Hunting on the ground. But these have draw backs. I find them much less effective than using natural surrounding cover. The fabric may shine and flap in the wind, and the poles often make un-natural noises. So it is necessary to set these blinds up before you Still Hunt on the ground several weeks before hunting them. The deer will have to get use to them and accept them as part of their environment. Some other tips for Still Hunting on the ground are to make sure you cover your face with a camo net as well as cover your hands with camo as well as your body. A pocket sized pruning sheer will come in handy for making a ground blind from the natural cover in some circumstances. And wait to draw your bow when the deer are looking the other way. I hope these tips help you have a successful experience Still-Hunting on the ground. And please visit my sponsors, all of which carry great products to make your hunt better.

Pre-Spawn As the water temperature warms to the mid 50's as spring comes on, a lot of bass are still in the deep water. But a lot of the more aggressive fish are likely to be chasing bait in the shallows. When the bass hit the shallow water early like this, they are in search of warmer water and this means they have a higher metabolism. If the shallow water is clear, try suspending a finesse jig or jerkbait just over the bottom. Also try to wind a flat-sided crankbait around any cover that might be in the shallow water. It's best to use a shad colored crankbait until water temperatures reach 60 degrees, then switch to crankbaits that imitate crawfish. However, if the water is stained, spinnerbaits are a better option for open water, or for cover that is isolated. Use a jig for heavier cover. If the lake or pond has aquatic vegetation, try to concentrate on that first. Big bass love hydrilla because it draws in more bait fish due to it's oxygen producing properties. Hydrilla with the brightest green growth really seems to be an important factor in attracting bait fish and where there's bait fish, there's big bass. Look for rock cover as well. Rocks retain heat and aid in warming the water which attracts those bass with the high metabolism. Then try finding the wood cover during pre-spawn. As water temperatures warm into the 60's, largemouth bass hang in the shallows longer. This water temperature affect how the bass react to weather fronts coming in and out. As long as the shallow water stays in the mid to lower 60's, the largemouth bass will not move out of the shallow waters as they will in colder water temperatures. They will stay in the shallow water. A prime time to fish combinations of wood and grass cover is when bass move in seeking spawning areas and the water temperatures are in the 60's. Fish the grass first then wooden cover instead of rock covers. Don't neglect the rocks, but hit them only after the hydrilla patches and wood cover. You may find you'll be catching a lot of 2 to 3 pound male bass, but the larger females can be found around prime cover right outside of the spawning areas. So fish prime cover such as blowdowns or a dock that is near the spawning areas. If the water temperature is in the 60's but the bass in the shallow water don't seem to want to chase what you throw at them, try plastics. Otherwise, try a jerkbait in clear water or a spinnerbait if the water is stained. If the water is really stained bad you may want to try a spinnerbait with a Number 4 or number 5 Colorado blade so that you can get plenty of vibration. Spawn The full moon can have a big effect on the largemouth bass that are spawning as long as the weather is stable. But when weather is in consistent and sporadic, bass will spawn on the warming trend no matter what the phase the moon is in. So when the surface temp is in the upper 60's, the largemouth bass are spawning. A good bait to use during this time is Berkley Power Bait Power Hawg Bait 4-Inch. Try a black and blue combination when the water is dirty; grass or pumpkin green in clear water. The depth you fish should also depend on the clarity of the water. If the water is stained, bass will spawn in 4 feet or less. if the water is clear largemouth will spawn in water up to 8 feet. You should adjust your fishing as the water clarity changes. You can catch a large number of bass this time of year, but if you're out for the challenge of finding the hawgs you'll need to fish the edges of the spawning areas along the prime cover. the smaller bass will be scattered along the bank and in the various cover. But the big bass will be in heavier, darker cover and closer to the deep water. Smaller fish are just not a picky about the cover they use, but the big bass are much more choosy. For the big female bass that get into the heavy cover, your best bet is a flippin' stick. From time to time a spinnerbait or crankbait will bring a short strike from a spawning bass. If you do get a short strike on one of these baits, follow up immediately with a soft plastic lure. Post-Spawn After the spawn comes the post spawn and the beginning of topwater season. Topwater lures are effective during this time because male bass are protecting fry and the topwater lures are offensive to these male bass. And the big females who have finished spawning are still lurking in the shallow water and respond well to large top water lures. During this time, big lures catch big fish. Buzzbaits and stickbaits such as the Zara Spook work well during this phase. Floating jerkbaits, large double willow-leaf spinnerbaits, and full size jigs work well to catch big bass during this period also. Soon after the largemouth bass have spawned, many will return to the deeper water. But several fish will stick in the shallow water as long as there is abundant shade. Use your flippin' stick and a jig around thick trees and along and under docks. Try flipping in the thickest and nastiest stuff that other anglers won't touch. Get that jig as far back in the nastiest stuff as you can and you might be surprised at the big bass you catch.

Part One: Lemon/Butte r Sauce In sauce pan place the following: 1 pound of real butter 1 medium onion diced 3 to 6 cloves of crushed garlic creole seasoning or salt and pepper to taste Tabasco sauce to taste (six to eight drops minimum) -Do not omit the Tobasco 1 tablespoon of Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce Juice of 3 lemons Place over low heat and let simmer for 30 minutes, stir occasionally. Part two: Stuffing In a large mixing bowl place the following: 2 Bell Peppers diced 4 stalks of celery chopped 3 cans of small cocktail shrimp drained 3 cans of lump crab meat (do not use imitation) Tabasco brand red sauce( 6 to eight drops minimum) 1 tablespoon Lea & Perrins Salt & Pepper Very easy on the salt 3 cloves of crushed garlic 1 large onion diced 2 cups bread crumbs Add approximately half the lemon butter mix created above and combine until uniform. Thin slice 1 lemon and 1 onion Clean the fish well (the head may be left on if you wish for presentation) On a double thickness of heavy duty aluminum foil place half the lemon and onion slices. Place the fish on top, stuff the body cavity with the mix, put the rest of the lemon and onion on top the fish. Pour on the remaining lemon butter sauce then close the foil to seal. Place on grill, cook with lid closed for about 10 to 15 minutes per side. Slit foil for last few minutes to add a little smoke flavor. Test doneness with fork. Meat should remain slightly firm but flake easily. This recipe can be shared among individually wrapped smaller fish if you wish. Serve the Stuffed and Grilled Red Snapper with home fries or grilled corn on the cob and enjoy!