Hey guys, I need some pointers for hunting out of a ground blind. I wont be able to get a hold of a treestand until later in the season when I can save up enough to get a climber. I am stuck with a $15 piece of camo burlap from Tractor Supply. That was a suggestion from my GFs grandfather who has successfully hunted from them before. Plus $15 is a steal. He gave me a few tips already but I thought I would throw this out there to see what you guys have to say. I already take care of covering my scent pretty well since I know that a bigger issue while hunting from a ground blind. Thanks.
I hunt out of a ground blind sometimes and I do the same thing with a thing of burlap.. I like to put it up and try to brush it in pretty well.. I try and take a long branch and put a piece above my head and to put a good backstop also
Always check to make sure you can draw your bow quietly and effortlessly in the space you've provided yourself. Nothing worse than pulling back on a deer and realizing that you can't go to full draw or you move a lot and spook the deer. Make sure to be extra careful with how much you move. You are right at their eye level on the ground and short of them looking in a different direction, they'll see you.
Pruning shears are a must have and something comfortable to sit on is needed. I usually bring a little rope or string too so you can pull branches down for more cover or tie them back without sacrificing the cover it may provide. Cut anything in the way out with the shears and lean the clippings against your blind.
I would say it's no more difficult than covering your scent in a tree. Play the wind and you won't have a problem.
If u can find a good size cedar tree near a trail cut some of the bottom branches off and make a hole in the cedar the take a rope tie it across the hole u made and lean the branches up on it. Now u have a ground blind that covers your background and also works as a cover scent just don't forget the thermcell in early season lol.
Ok, thanks guys. I will keep all that stuff in mind. I am looking for a climber before the end of season. I had access to a Lone Wolf assault 2 to use and play with for a while, but I had to give that back. I am drooling over the Lone Wolf climber but the funds aren't here for that. One day. The gamelands here in Pa are pretty thick so its going to take a lot of scouting and trimming to get things situated like im going to need for this season. Anyone that has made a blind out of burlap before how did you rig yours up? I got a couple pointers from my GFs grandpa, but I want to compare to everyone else. and if you have any pictures that would be great. Thanks.
try taking some zip ties with you.you can attach the burlap easily with it.also, if you can find three trees in a small triangle and wrap all aroud them,you've got cover allaround.good luck
I am going out this weekend, weather permitting, and im going to start practicing. With the season less than 2 weeks away it getting down to crunch time. In Pa here they require a roof/head covering to blinds that are used. What do you guys recommend doing about that?
Assuming your burlap is 4 x 12. Purchase or scrounge 4 pieces of rebar (metal rods) 6 ft x 1/4 inch. The smaller around the better. Now take 2 rods and tie wrap one to each end with the top flush with the burlap. This should give you 2 ft hanging down. Now take the other 2 rods, split the differance in the middle and tie wrap them as well. You should have a rod about every 3 ft. When you get to where you want to set up just unroll the blind and shove the rebar into the dirt to make the shape you want. lean the two middle ones toward each other for some sag, this should give you a good view of your surroundings. Be creative with the distances between the rebar. I have several made with different distances. Keep the wind in your face and try to have a back drop to break-up your silhouette. Use a cover sent and you should be good to go. Good luck.
I was thinking that but its required that the whole blind be made out of man-made materials. I totally would make a blind out of logs, boughs and stuff, but thats not legal. I am going to try the rebar trick and see how that works out for me. I just need to find a place to get a hold of some rebar....
You can use wooden dowel's (rods) too. They are very cheap at your local hardware store. Just be careful when you shove them into the soil, they can snap and break. If you opt for the wood remember to sharpen the dirt end a little. If you have a bamboo patch anywhere near you they work just fine. Good luck.
When I use/build a ground blind.I like to dig out a 2foot hole,I'll stand in it which keeps my height lower and the blind walls lower too,plus the smell of fresh earth can't hurt a bit. Remember the deer in u'r area know it very,very well.If you throw up a new,strange ''attention getter''(the blind)They just might avoid the area all together.Low profile,low impact is the way to go.
I actually was going through our regulation book yesterday and the camo burlap idea is out of the question. I talked to a WCO and he said that the roof requirement is because you cant be able to see any movement inside the blind. The same reason that I cant use the burlap, cause its a little see-through. Im just going to knuckle down and buy a pop-up shortly. I have a stand to use for a little bit, so I will just save up and buy one before fall turkey.
covering your scent in a ground blind can be as easy as being cautious and playing the wind correctly. Go face into it and watcvh your movement carefully, and you'll be fine.
