Difference Between Stalking & Ambushing in Animal Hunting

When a hunter stalks an animal, the hunter is moving; he may be following a set of tracks, the animal itself or sneaking in on an animal located some distance away. Ambushing an animal, on the other hand, is done by locating a trail, a food source or a watering hole used by animals, setting up close to one of these areas and waiting for the animal to come to you.

  1. Stalking and Ambushing Methods

    • While stalking an animal, move as quietly as possible, keeping cover between you and the animal so as not to be detected. Spot and stalk is a popular stalking method. This involves choosing a site where you can survey with binoculars a vast area of open and forested land to locate animals. Once you locate the animal, the stalk begins. When choosing an ambush site, you may want to use a tree stand to get off the ground, making it more difficult for an animal to see or smell you. You may choose to use a manufactured ground blind or use shrubs, trees, branches, rocks or a depression in the ground to create a natural blind. Look for ambush sites along trails leading to feeding, bedding or den areas. Some other productive sites include ridge tops, benches on mountainsides or natural funnels, such as where the forest narrows with open areas on both sides.

    Lures and Scents

    • If you are stalking an animal, lures and scents will not be very helpful, but if you are setting up an ambush site, they could help draw an animal into shooting range. Scents such as acorn, corn, buck or does urine, or doe estrus will help attract an animal to an ambush site. Baiting with food is also effective in ambushing an animal. Human scent eliminators are useful for stalking or ambushing. Check your local game laws because baiting an animal is illegal in some areas.

    Wind Direction

    • Remember to pay close attention to the wind direction when stalking. Wind is also a factor when choosing an ambush site. Try to keep the wind in your face or blowing from the side, never from behind you.

    Choosing a Method

    • If you can sit still for long periods of time with little movement, ambush is probably the appropriate choice, but if you are a person who can't sit still, stalking would be the better option in hunting an animal.