|
|
Post by thebellcompany on Oct 27, 2016 15:37:10 GMT -5
The first memory of hunting was with my Dad. We grew up in Gaylord, Mi and hunted on my grandpa's farm in Alpena, Mi. I remember it was cold. Snow had fallen heavily the night before. My dad shook me out of the covers early and I climbed out of my warm bed to arms full of goose bumps. Brr it was a cold morning and the sun was far from coming up yet. Dad gave me a one piece orange snow suit to wear for hunting, and a single shot 20-gauge. We loaded our pockets full of cookies and headed out to the barn. The morning still dark, winds sweeping across cold snowy fields that hit me in the face with a chill that instantly cured any lingering sleepiness I still had. The three of us climbed on my grandpas old ford tractor he'd painted blue, and rumbled quietly up the trail to the woods. I remember sitting in a rustic made ground blind with my dad, getting a small fire going to keep up warm in the rigged up wood stove, if help my dad build that blind and clear a shooting lane earlier that summer. But those are my memories and I remember them with fondness each morning I get up early to head out "to the woods". But in those early days I only remember blind hunting and only during gun season which is a celebrated holiday in Michigan still November 15th. There's only deer hunters in the woods on that day. All other seasons are done, so to many people the gun season is a sacred hunt passed down generations, just like the heirloom quality 30-06's out grandfathers used. Now to my question: I'm headed out to a piece of public land tonight, how could I set up in a portable ground blind and be successful. I want to remain unseen and undetected and I'm aware that could be a challenge. So I'm open to tips and advice. Thanks in advance!
|
|
|
|
Post by subzero350 on Oct 27, 2016 17:08:02 GMT -5
I must admit I've never used a ground blind on public land. But we have used pop-up ground blinds on private land and I think the same rules would apply to both situations.
Setting up a ground blind on public land and remaining "unseen" may not be the biggest issue. I would think the smell of the ground blind itself would be more of a concern. Hopefully, it's not a brand new (just out of the box) ground blind you are using that is still "off-gassing" that new plastic smell. I would think that would raise more alarm with the deer than how the blind appears visually to the deer.
The pop-up blinds we use are placed in the field weeks before we hunt out of them. We do this in the hopes whatever smell is on them dissipates by the time we use them, and we also hope the deer get used to another artificial object being there. Setting up and leaving a pop-up ground blind on public land overnight probably isn't an option for you (for a multitude of reasons). I suppose finding a place in the woods near the area you want to hunt that belongs to you or a friend where you can set it up and leave it alone for a few days so it can pick up the scent of that area would be the best idea, but this may not be a viable option for you. In which case I would instead try to find a place it can be set up "outside" away from any "human" smells for a while before you are going to use it. Then just throw it in the bed of your pickup truck and take it with you on the day of your hunt.
Don't forget the 144 square inches (view able from every side) of hunter orange "cap" you need to place on the blind while it is occupied as required by Indiana law.
Aside from that, just practice common sense with blind placement based on what the wind is doing and deer traffic patterns.
|
|
|
|
Post by whitetaildave24 on Oct 27, 2016 17:45:18 GMT -5
Usually when I use blinds I take them in during the hunt and take them back when we are done. Just make sure you brush the blind in as best you can and roll with it. I've had plenty of good hunts when I just put the blind up that day to hunt out of it. Just make sure to keep the back of the blind closed up so it stays as dark as possible on the inside. Give it a try and good luck.
|
|
|
|
Post by 3ptbuck on Oct 27, 2016 17:49:35 GMT -5
Public land deer know blinds, ladders, etc like no other. It can get done but try to position it where you can see them before they see it, clearly anyways. Whether that's tucked up against a pine tree opposite of where you expect them to come from or whatever you can find.
Even if they see it they won't bolt right away but very cautiously check it out, helps to be ready already when that happens.
|
|
|
|
Post by poc on Oct 27, 2016 17:59:32 GMT -5
Wear black not camo when inside a blind. Black paint your face or wear a mask. Sit as far to the "back", away from the open window as possible. It is amazing how little color it takes inside one to make you very visible.
|
|
|
|
Post by wesb81219 on Oct 27, 2016 18:14:50 GMT -5
I am going to be hunting out of an elevated blind Saturday. I knew about wearing black but didn't think about sitting as far back as possible so thanks. I don't own any black hunting clothes but my leafy suit is dark colored so perhaps I will still wear it to try to blend in with the shadows.
|
|
|
|
Post by beermaker on Oct 27, 2016 18:26:18 GMT -5
My best advise is to leave the ground blind at home and climb a tree. Most people chose to NOT listen to me, but do as you want.
|
|
|
|
Post by span870 on Oct 27, 2016 18:34:46 GMT -5
If you have time before the hunt, why not build a natural blind? Doesn't take a bunch of limbs, just a few strategically placed. Dont know why more people don't use them. Build one in 30 minutes or less and you're done. Wear full camo and just enough to break up your outline. Couldn't tell you how many times turkey hunting I've had deer walk 10 yards from me just sitting against a tree. Couple of downed limbs layed around and you'll be good to go.
|
|
|
|
Post by duff on Oct 27, 2016 18:47:55 GMT -5
If you have time before the hunt, why not build a natural blind? Doesn't take a bunch of limbs, just a few strategically placed. Dont know why more people don't use them. Build one in 30 minutes or less and you're done. Wear full camo and just enough to break up your outline. Couldn't tell you how many times turkey hunting I've had deer walk 10 yards from me just sitting against a tree. Couple of downed limbs layed around and you'll be good to go. I used to do that on my uncles place each fall. Build a nice brush blind. Much nicer that a tent in my opinion. |
|
|
|
Post by thebellcompany on Oct 27, 2016 20:12:09 GMT -5
That's actually a great idea then nobody will steal it!
|
|
|
|
Post by span870 on Oct 28, 2016 3:19:31 GMT -5
Although you can get away with very few limbs and blowdowns, I've built some massive ones in my days. Usually messing around during turkey season in late afternoon when the birds aren't talking. Get bored and start dragging a limb here and there and before you know it you're contemplating putting a second story on the thing with a walk out basement. Problem is, never used one a second time. The property I hunt was logged several years back. Man it was like having my own personal Lowe's at hand to build them. It's fun, takes ya back to being a kid building forts. Just don't make it to obvious what it is or you'll end up sharing it on opening day with someone taking advantage of your work.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2016 8:34:07 GMT -5
I set up a pop-up blind every year and seldom use it. Only on rainy or very windy days. I like others great advice and make natural blinds and use a blow-down tree/thickest. Just make sure the wind is correct for where you think the deer might come from. Good camo and some brush in front and a thick blush in back of you. I think the cover behind you is more important than in front. Blend in so you are part of the background.
|
|
|
|
Post by wesb81219 on Oct 30, 2016 5:31:12 GMT -5
I also prefer to sit in a fallen tree or thick brush. A large tree with thick brush around it works great as well
|
|
|
|
Post by ms660 on Oct 30, 2016 9:24:38 GMT -5
Ever thought about a Ghillie suit. They work amazingly well. Be nice though if it would cool down a little. They can be kind of hot. Just plop down in a little bit of cover, don't move around much and you will be amazed at what walks by you that doesn't know your there.
|
|
|
|
Post by medic22 on Oct 30, 2016 9:42:24 GMT -5
I also prefer to hunt natural surroundings in a leafy suit. Ive used BG's the last few years and no matter how long I leave it out, or how well I brush it in, deer always seem to know something is up.
|
|
|
|
Post by GS1 on Oct 30, 2016 19:16:01 GMT -5
I predict my son will shoot a nice buck out of this ground blind in the next 2 weeks. It's been there less than a week and there's plenty of bucks walking right by it. And laying down in front of it for 2 hours running the batteries down on my camera mounted next to it.   |
|
|
|
Post by ms660 on Oct 30, 2016 20:37:46 GMT -5
You did a great job brushing that one in. Looks completely natural. It's a shame you will have plaster orange on it for firearms season
|
|
|
|
Post by GS1 on Oct 30, 2016 21:07:47 GMT -5
You did a great job brushing that one in. Looks completely natural. It's a shame you will have plaster orange on it for firearms season So far it's a bow only property. |
|
|
|
Post by steiny on Oct 31, 2016 14:35:45 GMT -5
 For a blind of natural materials rather than those "tent" type blinds. |
|
|
|
Post by wesb81219 on Nov 4, 2016 14:58:23 GMT -5
 I made this in less than 5 minutes on my way out of the woods this afternoon. |
|
