Hunting out of a Ground Blind

**wildthing** · 08-27-2007, 03:25 PM

I was wondering how many of you out there plan on hunting out of a ground blind this fall? Can anyone comment on a quality ground blind that is on the market right now?

I planted 2 acres of Tecomate clover this past spring and was thinking about hunting over it is the early part of archery this season. It is positioned in a valley with bedding on one side, brush and some open hiilside on the other. Deer feed every night in the plot. I cut down some trees to creat some brush piles that offer perfect cover too. I have seen doe and shooter bucks in the plot all summer. I might give it a try a few times to fill a doe tag early season.

**Mathews XT Man** · 08-27-2007, 09:23 PM

Double Bull is my choice

**LifeNRA** · 08-27-2007, 09:39 PM

Whatever you get. let the blind out a couple of weeks before the season to let the deer get used to it.

**hoytbowhunter** · 08-27-2007, 09:50 PM

My Choice is Ameristep

**Rhino** · 08-27-2007, 10:04 PM

Well Laura...to answer your 1st question, yes I plan to bowhunt from some ground blinds but I'm old school. I started bowhunting from ground level thanks to a good friend of mine back in 1992 making natural blinds out of cut limbs and brush. Prior to that I was strickly an aerial bowhunter. Back in those days hunting from the ground was virtually unheard of in these parts. Other bowhunters actually thought we were nuts until they saw us consistently killing deer that way. Since then about the only thing I do different is use some netting behind me for a solid backdrop but still mainly use cut limbs, brush, etc. taped together with electrical tape on the front side of my blind. The electrical tape is to help hold and keep things in place, including the smaller limbs around my shooting holes. On average it usually takes me about an hour to make a natural blind but it's not mobile like a commercial blind.

If you're preference is toward a commercial blind take Oneida man's advice and check out those blinds. Like LifeNRA said, put it out early to let the deer get used to it and it won't hurt to add a little brush around it to help blend into the surrounding cover too.

totalscaf · 08-28-2007, 10:56 AM

I agree with rhino, even when you use the mobile blinds it best to have foilage behind it at least the height of the blind and also kind of lean some limbs around it to make "fit in" to the surrounding better. But by far they are the most comfortable of all conventional set up's and makes hunting in the rain not so bad.

Hold_em_Archery · 08-28-2007, 01:20 PM

The double bulls are the nicest that are on the market (IMO), but if your like me, and you can't afford one, or if weight and portability are an issue, then Ameristep has some great options. I just got a Dog House blind this past spring. I intended to use it for Turkey, but I am going to give it a try in early season archery, just to see what happens.

Good luck to you.

**wildthing** · 08-28-2007, 01:27 PM

call me picky...but I don't like the camo patterns on the double bull blinds. I guess if they are effective, that is what should matter. I might pick something up this weekend...we'll see.

**LifeNRA** · 08-28-2007, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by Hold_em_Archery

The double bulls are the nicest that are on the market (IMO), but if your like me, and you can't afford one, or if weight and portability are an issue, then Ameristep has some great options. I just got a Dog House blind this past spring. I intended to use it for Turkey, but I am going to give it a try in early season archery, just to see what happens.

Good luck to you.

I to own an Ameristep Intimadator blind. So far I like it very much. Easy to set up, costs way less than the DB.

Originally Posted by wildthing

call me picky...but I don't like the camo patterns on the double bull blinds. I guess if they are effective, that is what should matter. I might pick something up this weekend...we'll see.

I agree, I am sure the camo works, but I think they need a make-over.

**wildthing** · 08-28-2007, 04:43 PM

yeah...one would think that with the various Realtree and Mossy Oak patterns, DB would get a license to one of those camo patterns. But, that is why I sit here and make comments on forums from my office computer and they manufacture and sell hunting blinds...haha...

**bloodtrails** · 08-28-2007, 07:39 PM

I use a natural blind also. It's kinda fun going out to scout spots and make blinds. Also very gratifying when it all comes togther and you bring home the venison. Good luck!!

**wildthing** · 09-05-2007, 10:00 AM

I think I am gonna get an Ameristep ground blind to hunt over the food plot I planted. I think I'd have a pretty good chance of harvesting a doe.

**NYBowhunter71** · 09-06-2007, 07:29 AM

I recommend trying a couple out in the store before you choose. I made the mistake of getting one without sitting in it first, and found that I was too tall to be able to shott from inside. They make those things for little people.

**rad_112176** · 09-06-2007, 10:51 AM

Everyone here has given some great advise and i also own a API ground blind. I hunt from a tree 99% of the time, but it is nice to have for the rain days. The biggest mistake i made when i first started using it was to open all the windows so i had numerous shooting lanes. You and only open a couple of windows because the more windows you use the more light you let in so it is easier for the deer to see you. I have also started wearing black when hunting out of a blind. It blends in much better and you don't catch the light spots on your camo moving around. Hope it helps.