Build a DIY Turkey Hunting Ground Blind Kit

In a perfect world, every turkey that gobbled would be near a large oak tree. One with a nice, smooth spot to rest your butt, no poison ivy, no sharp rocks, and just enough cover out in front to break up your outline without getting in the way of a shot.

But we all know the world isn’t perfect. It never seems to fail. I’ll be slipping through the spring woods, offering up a yelp or two here and there, and a tom turkey will belt out a gobble. I’ll scramble around and start looking for that perfect tree described above only to find a few small saplings, or a tangle of blackberry vines, or a tree with a low limb that will end up poking me in the ribs the entire time I am trying to call in a bird.

When this happens, as long as the bird is far enough way to give you some time, and as long as the state and local regs allow, a hastily constructed ground blind made of native vegetation will help hide you from a turkey, even without a big tree to lean against. It doesn’t have to be a big or elaborate build, just grab whatever nearby vegetation might be handy and pile it up in front of you.

Editor's note: Licensee blind brands in Realtree camo are great for stationary, long-sit situations we encounter in turkey hunting. This DIY post is all about setting up quick hunting blinds while on the move, and can also include Realtree camo fabric. Please read on for some tips.

DIY Ground-Blind Carry

To make natural blind building quicker, easier, and much more efficient, I like to toss this small kit in my pack or turkey vest before heading out. The entire kit rolls up in a small Realtree camo bag and fits in a pocket. It doesn’t weigh much, and it makes blind construction in a hurry a snap. The kit weighs in at under 2 pounds, way less than even the lightest commercial blind, and takes up about as much space as a water bottle.

Whether it’s just a limb or two to break up your shape, or it’s a full-circle blind meant to hide you all day, the tools in this kit will help you build it in a hurry.

Bonus Tip: Say you are out with a young or inexperienced hunter. Anyone who has spent time in the woods with kids knows that they tend to move around, sometimes constantly. Any extra cover between that movement and a turkey will help. A pop-up, hub-style blind is perfect for these situations, but even a lightweight model can add pounds to your gear load.

Blind-Kit Contents

Small Folding Saw

I use a lightweight folding saw to cut any saplings that might block shooting lanes, or to cut a few small cedar limbs for concealment.

Hand Pruners

Need a limb or two to add to your blind? Hand pruners are quick and quiet. Try cutting some leaved out vines or limbs and weaving them into a stick blind frame. Look for a compact, lightweight pair of pruners that won’t add unnecessary bulk or weight to your kit.

Paracord

A length of 550 paracord in black or camo comes in handy to stretch between trees to give support to leafy branches.

Black Zip Ties

Zip ties are amazing things. I find myself reaching for them in a variety of situations. A couple black or brown zip ties will secure foliage, sticks, limbs, etc. quickly and quietly. They also come in handy for securing loose gear in your vest to keep noise to a minimum, and for quick gear repairs afield like broken gun slings or binocular straps.

Realtree Camo Fabric

In an area without much natural cover, a 4- by 6-foot piece of Realtree camo material in a pattern that matches your hunting area can be suspended from trees or draped over a clothesline made from the paracord.

Folding Saw

Hinge cutting and folding a small cedar or other evergreen about knee high will often provide all the concealment you’ll need once it is folded over to the ground.

Paracord

You can also use paracord to tie branches or limbs together to make a blind frame. Besides a frame to hold up natural materials, a section of paracord stretched tightly between a couple trees makes a handy and stable gun rest for a young shooter.

Natural Materials (Where Legal)