Fishing, Hunting and Camping

There are still options if you don’t have a perfect tree stand. If your geographical area doesn’t have the right sort of woodlands or if there are barren woods there are still other options. Have you considered Ground Blinds?

I’ve hunted using ambush hunting blinds in the past few years and that’s when they began to have some great options. From camo to rugged and roomy they offer a variety of great options for ground blinds. Until I tried that, it was spot or stalk and quickly set up a blind from what natural surroundings I could find. While I prefer this for Wild Turkey, Deer pros and others are concerned about blinds when deer hunting.

Setting up ground blinds is quick thanks to the hub type framing. While portability isn’t great when you’re carrying a lot of gear, it’s not impossible to do so in one easy trip. Just learn how to pack things easily and properly and you should be able to carry everything that you require in one easy trip. Plan ahead and use lots of pockets and a roomy pack and you’re sure to be successful.

1. Select Your Site

Just as with tree stands, you’re going to have to take into considerations the area in which you plan to set up your blind. Hopefully, you’ve already scouted the area out and know where the deer like to travel. Next, you’ll want to find some natural areas in which to conceal yourself. This is where I like to “tuck” my blind into.

I like to make sure that there isn’t any skylining. While it is often seen, I prefer it without. I like to improve the opportunity for success vs marginally successful. Also, make sure to take into account where the sun will be when you’re in the blind. In the morning, you won’t want to be facing due east or you’ll have too much glare in the rifle scope. Poor light levels can greatly affect how you see things and find your prey.

2. Will you be rifle hunting or bow hunting?

You’ll want to take this into account as there are different shooting distances for each style. You’ll need to be much closer and have a better concealment plan if you’re bow hunting. At present, I have two setups. One is for a rifle shot and the other is for a 45-yard bow shot. I’ve had a deer in front of me from 15 to 45 yards and still been stealthful.

3. Blind Preparation

As velcro and zippers have been introduced into hunting attire and equipment, it’s important to keep in mind that early in the morning, when all is silent and still, these can sound very loud. Sound travels well in the early morning air. So, it’s important to have everything already configured before you arrive so that you won’t have to mess with opening windows or mesh and making a loud sound that will frighten off the game. In the later afternoon, you can quickly set things as you want them for the morning. Also, make sure that you set up the tripod in the window in which you’re going to use it. Be sure that your heater, chair, shooting stick and all are already where they need to be so that you can start fresh. Don’t leave weapons or anything in sight if you’re not in a secure location. Private lands are usually safer for this plan than are those in public lands.

If you plan to film the hunt, make sure that the tripod is all set and in the proper configuration. That way, you won’t have to make so much noise.

Remember, zippers and velcro are loud. Use plain chapstick on zippers to help lubricate them and silence them if yours is loud.

4. In The Blind

Once you’ve arrived in the blind in the morning, there will be minimal to do. Place your pack down and set it up so you can easily get to pockets that you’ve already silently opened velcro openings to. Hang the bow and lean the rifle and settle in quietly. Put your range finder around your neck and make sure you have the binoculars.

5. Eating And Drinking In The Blind

Prepare ahead by opening noisy wrappers and placing these particular snacks into quiet zippered plastic bags. Use slide closures not press and seal kinds as those are louder. This way you’ll alleviate extra noise. No strong scents and remember that sliders open easy with gloved hands. Don’t get crumbs on special equipment like eyecups as this will be difficult to remove. Remember that crumbs in your eyes can hurt and you may lose or miss your shot.

Don’t bring regular bottled water as these can also be noisy. Find quieter bottles and use a bag style water bottle with tubing in your pack. Break seals prior to entering the blind as well.

6. Blind Accessories

Some like a swivel chair that offers arm support, others prefer something else. Find what you like but if you’re using a swivel chair ensure that it’s oiled and not noisy. Armrests are ideal for hanging accessories from just make sure that you can reach them. Keep your cell phone on silent and remember to cover scents and don’t make any unnecessary movements. Bring along what you absolutely can’t live without but remember that this is for hunting purposes so you won’t have all the creature comforts of home. Be content and comfortable but don’t overdo it, you’ll make more noise than you need to and this will give away your position.

7. Leaving Your Blind

Hopefully, the only reason you leave your blind is that you have that big “10” down. Now you can claim it! If you’ve been skunked and must exit quickly, wait until you can’t see any deer and quietly back out. Gather up what you must take with you quietly and slowly move it all out. Don’t take anything that you can’t carry easily and make sure that if you’re returning (providing your blind is on private land) that you leave what you can leave so that you can get in and out easier and quieter. Remember that different blind doors work differently. I like a “V” door as it’s easy and I can unzip only what is required.

Regardless, critters won’t be hiding in wait for me when I arrive in the morning and my stuff is still secure. Of course, always peer into the blind with a red or green light prior to entering just to ensure that there aren’t any unexpected guests awaiting your arrival, you wouldn’t want to startle them and have an uproar that would scare you as well as your game away. Make sure to leave things hanging and not lying on the ground where something may crawl under them seeking a warm spot to sleep or you may be in for a huge surprise mid-morning when they decide to get up and have their meal. This could startle both of you and make a lot of noise giving away your position. Be vigilant before entering and check things out after you’ve entered your blind to ensure that there aren’t any creatures lurking about seeking solace from the weather or elements.