ground blinds

[canoe man]

I'm new to Crossbow hunting having hunted with a longbow for 30yrs. now after a car accedent shooting a crossbow from the ground I'm thinking about getting a pop up ground blind. Just want to know the pros. & cons
what other hunters are using? do you sit on a chair or bucket? Do you use a heater in cold weather?

Canoe man

[hatteraspk]

I used some ground blinds when I first started using a crossbow about 15 years ago. Deer will see a lot more movement at eye level so you really need to be very still - You don't see them coming from a distant like in a stand so you end up making a quick decision as to taking a shot - also and I think the biggest negitive is you don't get a lower exit hole which can lead to a bad blood trail (IE their bodies can fill up with the blood rather then leaving a trail)

Some times a ground blind is the only way to go Being older now I don't feel as confortable in a tree stand as I used to. Set the ground stand up with a chair if you can and have your crossbow up and ready to shoot ( Which means you need do some scouting and know exactly where the deer are traveling and direction before setting up the blind.

Good luck,

Scott

[HOGGHEAD]

I am a handicapped hunter. So a ground blind is the only way I can hunt. I own some property here in WV so I have some permanently built blinds that I can hunt out of. However I also have a few different pop up blinds. I have owned several different ones over the past several years. And IMO the Double Bull blind is the Cadillac. The Escape model that Cabela's sells is also a good one, but it is not the quality of the DB. My DB is 4 years old, and still looks like new. It was a real bite when I purchased it, but the only bad day was the day I spent the money. Every other day has been great.

You would be amazed at how deer will pass right by the blind. Just brush it in a little bit, and only open the windows that you absolutely need opened. The DB is blacked out inside, so it is difficult for a deer to see inside. And definitely get a Mr. Buddy propane heater. Tom.

[dreades]

I use a ground blind quite a bit, especially when taking my 11 year old son or my 13 year old daughter. They still have not mastered the patience required to sit still for long periods of time... I have had deer walk within 10 yards of the blind and never see me. I have a couple of different ones and the blacked out one on the inside is definitely the best.

It is definitely nice on those real cold, windy or rainy days. You are sitting in your blind with a small heater in a comfortable folding chair while your buddies are getting wet and feeling miserable and end up quitting hunting early because of the weather....

[coonskinner]

i used one for the 1st time this yr...i do use a lil huntin chair...i hope to git one or two more for next yr...:D

[epe]

They are the way to go. Shoot fixed head broadheads, and get a blind with the shoot through material over the windows. Cuts down on them seeing movement. Get one that is blacked out inside, and wear black shirt, facemask. Works great for bowhunting for turkeys. Have had hens within 5 feet of the blind. They are LOUD at the distance calling. :biggrin:

[pstryjew]

Well, this year we tried something new for ground blinds.

In the past (and this year), we had quite a few stands in trees along with some ladder stands. But lately with the wind and getting older we wanted some "low" stands.

We built some "Sniper Nests" and they worked out will this year.

On some hill sides, we found some depressions left by old trees. Then we stacked downed branches and trunks in about 6 foot lengths alternating sides, in kind of a log cabin fashion. We made a inverted V (/\) and put a folding camp chain in. We also used some branches with leaves to cover any movement seen between the logs.

They were comfortable, you could get out of the wind, fall asleep without falling out of a tree. We saw and shot deer out of them.

Since they are on the hillside, we had a good field of fire. I was busted by a deer coming over the top of the hill (heard the stomp and knew I was done).

They only took about 10-15 minutes to set up each one, well worth the effort. We put some cheap camp chairs ($3 Harbor Freight) in heavy duty plastic bags and left them in the blind for the week of gun season.

I think we'll be making some others next year. Easy, ground level, and they work. Not the best for all cases, but try them.

Here are two looking in from "above". Trusty Omega and my Harbor Freight $3 chair. You have to have a pad or else you a$$ get's COLD!

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/pstryjew/DSC00740.jpg
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/pstryjew/DSC00741.jpg

"Close up" of stacking
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/pstryjew/DSC00746.jpg

A lot of deer would see this:
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/pstryjew/DSC00744.jpg

Another view from below, the picture is zoomed in:
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/pstryjew/DSC00743.jpg

Pete

[chadwimc]

I use a ground blind from time to time for gun hunting both deer and turkey.
This little heater has run over 6 hours on one small bottle of fuel. The blind keeps the rain and snow off you.

[coonskinner]

Well, this year we tried something new for ground blinds.

In the past (and this year), we had quite a few stands in trees along with some ladder stands. But lately with the wind and getting older we wanted some "low" stands.

We built some "Sniper Nests" and they worked out will this year.

On some hill sides, we found some depressions left by old trees. Then we stacked downed branches and trunks in about 6 foot lengths alternating sides, in kind of a log cabin fashion. We made a inverted V (/\) and put a folding camp chain in. We also used some branches with leaves to cover any movement seen between the logs.

They were comfortable, you could get out of the wind, fall asleep without falling out of a tree. We saw and shot deer out of them.

Since they are on the hillside, we had a good field of fire. I was busted by a deer coming over the top of the hill (heard the stomp and knew I was done).

They only took about 10-15 minutes to set up each one, well worth the effort. We put some cheap camp chairs ($3 Harbor Freight) in heavy duty plastic bags and left them in the blind for the week of gun season.

I think we'll be making some others next year. Easy, ground level, and they work. Not the best for all cases, but try them.

Here are two looking in from "above". Trusty Omega and my Harbor Freight $3 chair. You have to have a pad or else you a$$ get's COLD!

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/pstryjew/DSC00740.jpg
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/pstryjew/DSC00741.jpg

"Close up" of stacking
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/pstryjew/DSC00746.jpg

A lot of deer would see this:
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/pstryjew/DSC00744.jpg

Another view from below, the picture is zoomed in:
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/pstryjew/DSC00743.jpg

Pete

nice stands definitely
showing natural ground stands blend in better...:biggrin:

[hamilton]

I also have some health issues that keep me on the ground in a chair blind.
It is just the single with shoot thru fabric.
I did have some deer come up to within forty feet of me this year. Shot one over her back. it was pretty windy that day. shouldnt have taken the shot ,but I had time available to hunt that day.
In the future, i would consider the double blind. More room would be nice.

[TheCream]

nice stands definitely
showing natural ground stands blend in better...:biggrin:

If you had ever seen my pop-up blind all brushed in (I'm picky and meticulous about it) you'd swear there was nothing man-made there. :mischeif: I only bowhunted it once this past season and we had a pile of deer inside 30 yards at dark, even had one small buck walk right up to within about 8-10 yards when he heard my buddy accidentally crinkle a wrapper. :biggrin: It was hysterical, he was wrapping up the camera because we had lost light, the bag made noise, and as soon as it did this little buck appears and walk right to us. I thought he was going to try to peek in, but he stopped short of that.

Back to the subject, I use an Ameristep Intimidator and love it. It is much less $$$ than a Double Bull, and every bit as good. I make use of the brush loops to brush in the blind and they work great. It is big, easy to get in and out of, and will keep you dry in wet weather. Plus, it's obviously portable, so you can move it if you need to. You would have to brush it back in, but that really doesn't take that long. I hunted it "same day" this past fall when we saw all those deer, it took maybe 20 minutes to get it hidden well.

There is a warning label inside saying NOT to use a heater inside the blind, probably folks worried about it becoming human shrink wrap if it gets too hot inside. I have not used a heater inside one, but I never really needed to try it. Early in the year, when I have hunted from it, the last thing you'd want is a heater because it retains a lot of heat. If you want a pop-up, check out the Intimidator. You can still get them through Natchez SS for $222, $50 less than Cabela's. :coolgleamA:

[geezer II]

:mischeif:Well, this year we tried something new for ground blinds.

In the past (and this year), we had quite a few stands in trees along with some ladder stands. But lately with the wind and getting older we wanted some "low" stands.

We built some "Sniper Nests" and they worked out will this year.

On some hill sides, we found some depressions left by old trees. Then we stacked downed branches and trunks in about 6 foot lengths alternating sides, in kind of a log cabin fashion. We made a inverted V (/\) and put a folding camp chain in. We also used some branches with leaves to cover any movement seen between the logs.

They were comfortable, you could get out of the wind, fall asleep without falling out of a tree. We saw and shot deer out of them.

Since they are on the hillside, we had a good field of fire. I was busted by a deer coming over the top of the hill (heard the stomp and knew I was done).

They only took about 10-15 minutes to set up each one, well worth the effort. We put some cheap camp chairs ($3 Harbor Freight) in heavy duty plastic bags and left them in the blind for the week of gun season.

I think we'll be making some others next year. Easy, ground level, and they work. Not the best for all cases, but try them.

Here are two looking in from "above". Trusty Omega and my Harbor Freight $3 chair. You have to have a pad or else you a$$ get's COLD!

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/pstryjew/DSC00740.jpg
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/pstryjew/DSC00741.jpg

"Close up" of stacking
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/pstryjew/DSC00746.jpg

A lot of deer would see this:
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/pstryjew/DSC00744.jpg

Another view from below, the picture is zoomed in:
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/pstryjew/DSC00743.jpg

Pete

cool - but loose the chair - blue is a color that stands out to deer :whistle:

[deerhunt45]

:mischeif:

cool - but loose the chair - blue is a color that stands out to deer :whistle:

Yep...blue chair is a no no :tsk: ...deer, turkey...doesn't matter :whistle:

[pstryjew]

Yep...blue chair is a no no :tsk: ...deer, turkey...doesn't matter :whistle:

I have some camo chairs too. The chair is covered by my XXL body, so it's not so evident.

It didn't make a difference to the two deer I shot out of it this season, but I'll remember to take the camo chair this year. That one is nice because it doesn't have any arms.

Pete

[coonskinner]

If you had ever seen my pop-up blind all brushed in (I'm picky and meticulous about it) you'd swear there was nothing man-made there. :mischeif: I only bowhunted it once this past season and we had a pile of deer inside 30 yards at dark, even had one small buck walk right up to within about 8-10 yards when he heard my buddy accidentally crinkle a wrapper. :biggrin: It was hysterical, he was wrapping up the camera because we had lost light, the bag made noise, and as soon as it did this little buck appears and walk right to us. I thought he was going to try to peek in, but he stopped short of that.

Back to the subject, I use an Ameristep Intimidator and love it. It is much less $$$ than a Double Bull, and every bit as good. I make use of the brush loops to brush in the blind and they work great. It is big, easy to get in and out of, and will keep you dry in wet weather. Plus, it's obviously portable, so you can move it if you need to. You would have to brush it back in, but that really doesn't take that long. I hunted it "same day" this past fall when we saw all those deer, it took maybe 20 minutes to get it hidden well.

There is a warning label inside saying NOT to use a heater inside the blind, probably folks worried about it becoming human shrink wrap if it gets too hot inside. I have not used a heater inside one, but I never really needed to try it. Early in the year, when I have hunted from it, the last thing you'd want is a heater because it retains a lot of heat. If you want a pop-up, check out the Intimidator. You can still get them through Natchez SS for $222, $50 less than Cabela's. :coolgleamA:

wendy and i were in our larger americastep blind and one yearling buck walked right up to the blind and the door was open...had its head lowered practically sticking in its head to see what was in there...then as it passed it looked at one of the side windows and started over as to be looking in it,definately a curious deer...we had one very nice big boy within 25 yds. but he seemed a little cautious of the blind...our blind was left out there during the entire season and the deer got very used to it as time went by...:biggrin:

[hedgelj]

There is a warning label inside saying NOT to use a heater inside the blind, probably folks worried about it becoming human shrink wrap if it gets too hot inside. I have not used a heater inside one, but I never really needed to try it. Early in the year, when I have hunted from it, the last thing you'd want is a heater because it retains a lot of heat. If you want a pop-up, check out the Intimidator. You can still get them through Natchez SS for $222, $50 less than Cabela's. :coolgleamA:


That's not because of human shrinkwrap its because there could be an accumulation of carbon monoxide from the heater. Carbon monoxide is odorless, and very deadly. You would first get sleepy and then not wake up.

[TheCream]

That's not because of human shrinkwrap its because there could be an accumulation of carbon monoxide from the heater. Carbon monoxide is odorless, and very deadly. You would first get sleepy and then not wake up.

The warning label on my blind says nothing of CO, it is a flammable material warning. Same deal for firearms and the shoot-thru mesh, there is a warning that muzzle flash could ignite the mesh.

[coonskinner]

just get a mr. buddy...these can be used inside...coleman makes one too...there is an awful lot of ventilation in the blind...most tents warn against fire than co when using heaters that are rated for tents...i agree with cream my blind warns against shooting bullets thru the mesh...says its for broadheads only...:D

[big buck]

I know this could be a seperate topic but I have been looking around on the internet at different blinds and does anyone know about the ghostblinds. I think they are made in Marietta. Out of some type of reflective material.

[pstryjew]

They were at the Deer and Turkey expo. I'll say that they are pretty "neat".

http://www.ghostblind.com/

However, they are small and Expensive!

At the D&TE they didn't have the price posted, when I asked them the price, I had to ask twice, because I heard $499. Yep, that's the right price.

The website has the one expensive one 30% off.

I think they may have a few in inventory. $500 would buy a lot of other blinds.

Pete

[jackalope]

They were at the Deer and Turkey expo. I'll say that they are pretty "neat".

http://www.ghostblind.com/

However, they are small and Expensive!

At the D&TE they didn't have the price posted, when I asked them the price, I had to ask twice, because I heard $499. Yep, that's the right price.

The website has the one expensive one 30% off.

I think they may have a few in inventory. $500 would buy a lot of other blinds.

Pete


500 Dollars.. Dear Lord!!! Buy and cut some acrylic mirrors and some hinges if someone wants one..

[coonskinner]

just for the blind alone the price for the 4 panel is 299 and the price for the 2 panel is 199...:D