ground blind

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HuntingDicksonDTC

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Have only hunted from a ground blind (man made that is)once. Hunted many times from natural ground blind. Daughters first year to deer hunt & want her to be comfortable. I personally have set many hours uncomfortable on the ground just brushed in. Want her to have a good experience her first year. Dont want to break the bank but want something that will have room for both of us & windows to shoot from on all sides.

suggestions & GOOD/BAD experiences with certain brands
 
I haven't ever had had a deer come within bow range of a bond I just popped up and most of the time if they come out a couple hundred yards away they stand and stare and eventually run off ..... However if i put it out early and give them a chance to get used to it it's not so bad.. If I were just getting my kid into hunting I would place it out early and brush it in and not take the risk of ruining the hunt...
Barronett does make a good blind at a reasonable place... I just don't like the wat nylon blinds fade in the sun.... I prefer the cloth-like marerial of double bull..
 
we have had deer almost stick their head in the window of a blind that was set up just 30 minutes before. it seems when they discover the blind set up and brushed in ahead of time, they avoid the area completely.
 
I think timing and placement has a lot to do with success on deer with pop-up ground blinds, as well as just which deer you're targeting.

I can only speak to my personal and limited experiences with them, but . . . . . . .

Older deer will typically stand and stomp well beyond bow range, curiously noting something that wasn't there in the past. They will seldom come closer. They're not necessarily spooked, just won't come closer. If the blind has been there over a week, at some point the more resident deer will begin to pay it little attention.

Deer seem to notice pop-up blinds more in the typical places most hunters tend to use them, near fields, food plots, and more open areas. Seem to notice them less in heavier cover (where they're less needed).

During the heat of the rut, transient non-resident bucks often pay them no attention, while the more resident old doe may lead those transients around your location (outside bow range).

For most of my deer hunting, I prefer a tactic other than pop-up blinds, but believe they can be more beneficial than harmful if you're taking a child or inexperienced hunter. By myself, I believe I'm less likely to be seen just sitting in a chair on the ground. Deer seem to particularly notice the silhouette of a pop-up blind much quicker than they notice a motionless human.
 
I've used pop ups for years .


Deer react more to movement and scent than they do anything .

If u take care to keep ur blind scent free or outdoor odors only and keep it still it's pretty much a non issue.

Keep one in the back of your truck with gasoline or other foreign smells then it's a different ball game
 
In my experience, in East TN, I have more luck setting my ground blind up before season in August. I have a plot watcher pointed right at that blind and it doesnt seem to bother the deer whatsoever. I only set it up in thick cover (poke berries and briars) I just clear a hole out big enough for the blind and let the plants grow around it. Ill cut my shooting holes a week or so before opening day.

As mentioned before the nylon/polyester blinds dont stand up to the elements very well. I havent had any luck out of Ameristep el cheapo's form Walmart. The sun seems to cook them the the wind rips them apart, but I also leave mine up all season. Also it seems to me it would be hard to fit two people in there comfortably if you plan on shooting from more than one window. There just isnt much moving room.
 
I have used the cheap dog house for years with my grandsons and we had great results bow,muzzy and gun season. I have a dbull and it is great but heavy and about 6x more money. If you don't want to break the bank go with cheap dog house.
 
PillsburyDoughboy said:
I've used pop ups for years .


Deer react more to movement and scent than they do anything .

If u take care to keep ur blind scent free or outdoor odors only and keep it still it's pretty much a non issue.

Keep one in the back of your truck with gasoline or other foreign smells then it's a different ball game
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Well stated, this has been my experience.
 
260rem said:
I have used the cheap dog house for years with my grandsons and we had great results bow,muzzy and gun season. I have a dbull and it is great but heavy and about 6x more money. If you don't want to break the bank go with cheap dog house.
Click to expand...
I have killed many good deer from one. I also have a Groundmax which is big enough to stand in and will accommodate 2 people.
 
I bought a used Red Head (Enigma, I think) from a friend. I've used to for two seasons and had good success. There's enough room for two hunters.
You want the blind large enough so that you will not be bumping the sides if you reposition yourself and your rifle for the shot. With one hunter, its plenty large enough. With two? That depends. Two hunters in chairs, two rifles, monopod, backpack, etc. can cramp up a blind quicker than you think. There was a big difference in comfort using my 16" barreled Ruger M-77 vs. using the 20" barreled FN Supreme. The Ruger was MUCH handier getting in and out of the blind, carrying, and getting on target with.
Save space and use tripod stools inside the blind. The legs adjust for differences in terrain height ( the ground is NEVER level in the area you want your blind) and they pack up smaller. You don't lose out in comfort, and your can swivel your body quietly 360 degrees to get your shot lined up. Any brand of blind that gets good durability reviews online should work. Stake it out, so it doesn't flap in the wind, and you will be fine. After you use it, you will get a feeling for how you should be setting up. And keep it away from gas cans, soaps, etc.
 
My advice would be with any brand that if it says 2 man it's really a one man. If it says 4 man it's a 3.

If you bow hunt, especially crossbow, think about your limbs rubbing against the inside when you are in shooting form.

If you truly have a pop-up that you intend to take in/out of the woods each day then a tripod chair is better for packing in/out. If you have the luxury of keeping your blinds up for a week/month AND you can get close enough with a vehicle I would suggest a more comfortable chair. I really like office chairs that swivel (found some cheap on CL from time to time). The material is more silent plus somewhat insulated which keeps your butt warm on cold days.

As for experiences. I concur that scent is the biggest worry. In saying that, I've run buddy heaters in mine and killed deer.

Also, if you own your land or the landowner allows I have built some spacious blinds out of chicken wire, 2x2's, landscaping cloth and brush. Cheap, easy and no one will walk off with it.
 
I've had good and bad expiriences with blinds. I will say that I have been able to put kids and first time hunters within easy shot distance on both deer and turkey using one. Doesn't matter the brand. Don't matter the camo pattern. Buy the one that has windows where you think you want them and get in and out of the door a few times. Put it on your back and carry it. Set it up and put it back in the bag. Do all these things several dozen times so at 4 am you don't even need a light to set it up. Bring stakes cause if it gets a bit windy you won't have to hold it down like I did on a turkey hunt with the kids.
 
I bought 2 of these last year and was pleasantly surprised at the quality for the price. They are fairly durable and sturdy and large enough to move around in without bumping the sides. Zippers may not be equal to the best but I left the windows open all seaon anyway.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/ ... 2&i=285092

I bought 2 of these and wouldn't recommend it. Too flimsy unless the little bit of weight savings is that important to you.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/ ... W&i=581793

I also got 4 of these swivel chairs because I always have deer come from behind and being able to turn silently is a big deal. They aren't the sturdiest of chairs but I weigh 240lbs and they have held me up with no problem.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/ ... r?a=993827
 

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