For a geometrically finite hyperbolic group with small critical exponent, the spectral method for counting is not available, as there is no point eigenvalue of the Laplace operator on the L^2 -spectrum. We will explain counting results for orbits of a big class of thin groups acting on a symmetric variety of the real hyperbolic group, which are obtained via ergodic approach. This talk is based on a joint work with Nimish Shah.