OK so I have owned two blinds but never hunted out of them. In fact I think I only set the one up twice and never did the other. I see there are a lot of choices on ground blinds these days and to continue to hunt a property I need to get one from the clear cut operation going on there. Tell me the good and bad on the options that are out there. Details!
I've got one and never used it. It just seems easier to make a natural one since I am constantly moving. Most of the guy here that use them... set them up quite a while before they use them so the deer get use to them. They leave them up all year or until they get their deer. Most all bait in my area that use them. I've never seen them brush them in... which I would do if I used mine. Probably a little different then what you have in mind. Would you set up and leave it or are you talking setting it up and taking with you at the end of the hunt ??? I am curious to see the responses. Tim
I have no idea yet Timmo.... There are tree tops all over it is an absolute mess there that the Amish left. I am thinking about making a few naturals with the tree tops and maybe staging a few areas with the tops to tuck the blind into. I do not plan to just stop and drop with it where ever. There will be much game planning Don't picture the prarie.... Picture a big mess of tree tops for my setups.
Oh... I didn't figure you would ploop it down just anywhere. Looking forward to seeing your master plan next fall !! Picturing tree tops... picturing tree tops.... arggghhhh... all's I see is the prarrie !!! :D Tim
Scott, I've owned and hunted out of several blinds. The Best blind I have ever used is the Double Dark Horse, lots better than the Matrix IMO. Dan
I own a Predator Ground Max by Primos and sold through Cabela's... for no more than I hunt out of blinds, it's very adequate. You may not like the smallish windows, so look at one before you buy it. I've used mine mostly inside the edge of a standing corn field and brushed it in really well with corn stalks. LOVE being able to sit with my oldest son and spend time with him as we wait for prime time to envelope us... We also use it for turkey hunting. Best time to pick one up is to work a show for BT at Cabela's and then pick it up at the end of the day with your vendor's discount.
Check Amazon.com I've never bought or hunted out of one, but they have some great LOOKING deals on there.
Greg I bought mine for the same type of setup... inside the edge of standing corn. I haven't used it yet though. The does here are notorious for walking a few rows in. Bucks usually run the outside edge. This is early season only before the corn stalks turn yellow. When I setup in corn... I either get busted by them going behind me and scenting me or get caught moving because I didn' see/hear them coming. I figured by using the blind... I would get away from being busted by movement. If you keep everything closed up except for a shot out front... do the blinds themselves help you from behind busted from scent if the deer comes in from behind you through the corn downwind ??? Thanks !! Tim
I had never used one but i bought a Gander Mtn Vital blind this year and hunted it a couple times and i have to say that i really enjoyed it. I haven't made a kill out of it yet but I did have a small doe come up and feed 10 yards in front of me and never noticed me, she wasnt a shooter so i dont know if she would have busted me drawing on her but it was neat to watch her feed that close and not bust me. I cant wait to use during turkey season with my son. I'm not crazy about the window size or design but i didnt want to spend a ton on something im not sure i would like but my experience was awesome and i will probably invest in a double bull or other style that incorporates the full length windows.
I'm in the same boat as you, man. I've been hunting blinds for a few years, but, only a handful of sits, each season. Here is what I've learned: Different properties are different animal. Some blinds I set up, did not brush them in and deer were walking right past them in a matter of days. Other properties, deer totally avoided the area. Brush them in as best as you can, just to be safe. Stake them in well, then, use rope to tie them to something, if possible. If nothing is available to tie off too, use a few auger stakes and tie off to them. Twice I've watched my blinds tumbling across fields. Cut a stud(2x4) to fit snug between the ground and tip of the blind. Keep in inside or behind the blind. When winter sets-in, wedge it between the ground and tip of the blind(inside). This helps prevent a collapse from snow weight on the roof. You've really got to pick a side to hunt out of. I've set my blinds up in area where deer would travel all sides of the blind. This would cause me to move around a lot inside of the blind, and, open more windows than I should. Pick a spot where you can isolate deer movement to one side of the blind. This will allow you open only certain windows, set your seat up in a "permanent" position and limit movement. Clear the ground cover down to dirt, inside the blind. The noise your feet make is a lot louder than you would think. Fresh dirt floor keeps your silent. I've bought my blinds at ****s Sporting Goods. Nothing over the top. I will say, buy a blind that uses the 'tension frame'. They snap outwards and up, when you erect the blind. They are much more sturdy than the blinds that just "unfold". The sway less in the wind, are less likely to move a lot, should your elbow bump the side when drawing, and, hold up to windy days MUCH better. Fabric is important, but, if you want canvas fabric, you're generally looking at an expensive blind.
Tim, I've been real impressed with the movement we've been able to get away with (remember, I started taking my oldest last year when he was six, and a few times this year at 7... you can imagine the movement )... but it's truly the scent-containment as you brought up where the blind has really proven its mettle. When I go with my boy, we usually go for a little longer sit.... My wife packs up a soft-sided tote bag for us to carry in with us, complete with cans of orange soda, apples, miscellaneous Little Debbie snacks and ham and cheese sandwiches. We've still had deer come out directly downwind of us and work their way toward us.
Good points! I hate to type but I agree with everything you said pretty much and have experienced most of it first hand Dan
Greg Thanks that is what I wanted to hear. I will add that to my arsenal next fall. One more question... is there any way your wife could make me lunches for next fall ??? They should darn good !! My wife make lunches for work but she said I am on my own for hunting. Tim
I have shot 4 does and a turkey from ground blinds so far. No bucks, but they have been around. Just not when I was in the blind. I have an ASAT blind and an Ameristep (not sure of the model). I used to leave the mesh in the windows while deer hunting, but since I started filming I don't use it any more and since I leave the blinds in the field the deer walk right by it any time of day without even a second look. I do try to brush it in the best I can. But it doesn't have to be invisible These pics were taken 10 yards in front of my blind last week. I was in it on the 27th .
I bought my wife the same one Greg has. Primos/Predator lots of room for two folks, the kids etc! She loves it. She can stay warm, move around without being seen and not get rained on. We brushed it in really well. Our Bro and law killed a 158 out of it in rifle. 40 yards from blind. I'm gonna use it next season on lands that I can set it up and not worry about it getting stolen. Private close to the house most likely. Jess (my boys first year of big game hunting this spring) and I will use it for his turkey hunting here at the place too.
I bought a cheap one a few years ago just to see if I'd like it. I gave it away. Here's what I didn't like; too many blind spots, felt like a turkey in an oven during the first part of bow season, limited visibility, since I couldn't stand sraight up from time to time without stepping outside, it made my back hurt. I have toyed with the idea of buying one that would allow me to shoot from a standing position but since I had such bad luck with the first one, I didn't want to lay out anymore money. I can see situations where they could be beneficial but my experience wasn't good. Blessings.....Pastorjim
For the money, this is a great blind. I have used to about 10 times between deer and turkey hunting. Very easy to set up.
