Ground Blinds for Idiots…

[wildschwein]

#5703

Last year I tried to do most of my hunting from the ground, and while I had quite a few close encounters, I always got busted before I could pull off the shot. So I have a couple of questions for you folks who use ground blinds.
First off, where do you build your blinds in relation to where you expect your quarry to appear? Last year I built all my blinds along edges, within 10 to 15 yards of where I expected to see Deer. But all the Deer I saw were extremely wary and busted me when I tried to draw. Would Deer be less spooky if I built my blinds deeper in the cover, say 100 to 150ish yards from the field edges?
Is it better to prepare you shooting lanes for broadside shots or quartering away shots? When a Deer is quartering away, is it less likely to see me coming to anchor?
How close is too close when it comes to hunting on the ground? Should my blinds be closer to 25 yards from the Deer, rather than 15?
What do you find more important as far as cover in front of, or behind the shooter? Do you place enough cover in front of you so that you must rise slightly in order to shoot, or just a stick or two here and there that you can shoot in between?
Any thoughts on these matters would be greatly appreciated, and feel free to add on anything else you feel would be helpful.

[MCuiksa]

#43698

wild, I am by no means an expert but I only hunt from the ground for whitetail from natural blinds…manufactured treestands and popups don’t seem traditional to me. I’ve been fortunate enough to have provided meat 3 of the last 4 years and a lot of it is luck and the number of deer we have…I may see 4-6 deer each evening (and can hunt 3-4 eves per week). Most eves none come in range. When one comes close enough, I may only get a shot opportunity 10% of the time. So I guess my main advice is stay patient. Spooking a deer by trying to get off a shot is definately worse than letting it pass by unspooked.
Last year I shot a buck at 4 yards. The year before I went meatless. 3 years ago was a doe at 8-10 yards. 4 years ago was the buck of a lifetime at 8 yards. So close shots are possible.
The 4 yard shot only presented itself because I made a blind out of (3) small cedars that were growing close together. They were on a rarely used trail but I knew if I sat there long enough a deer would come by close. It probably took 10 eves for one to come on that close trail but I was seeing deer every night (out of range) so it made it fun. This was out on the edge of a field so I do like being on the edges…as a matter of fact, all 3 of the deer listed above were taken on the edges.
The only way I have been able to take a shot unseen is to let the deer pass so it’s a quartering shot. I am right handed so I setup with the wind in my face with the trail/open field on my left. As deer approach, I am downwind and they pass on my left. Once past, the quartering shot offers the best angle plus my body hides my right hand/arm during the process of drawing the bow. I try to always be on full alert so I can have my bow up and ready long before the deer is close. Once they’re close, you can’t try to get the bow up or you’ll be busted – at that point, just let ’em pass and wait for another opportunity.
As for cover, I believe it has to be front and back. I sometimes have a very limited window to shoot because of the brush around me. I have a 3-legged stool to sit on and do not rise to shoot, that’s too much movement in my opinion.
I’ve found that blind location is the key: I’d rather have a blind in a location that gives me limited opportunities but the opportunites are a high percentage for a shot (like the cedar trees on the rarely used trail). I’ve had blinds that had deer all around but I couldn’t get a shot off…that doesn’t put meat in the freezer. I’ve learned that a few, high percentage chances are better than a lot of low percentage chances.
Also, when close, I’ve found that looking down (not making any eye contact) helps. It may be my imagination but it’s almost like they sense you looking at them!! I use the brim of my hat to shield my eyes from theirs until they are past. That sounds crazy but I think it helps.
I hope something in this rambling helps. 🙂 Mike.

[strait-aero]

#43771

Justin,what Mike said,goes for me too.Most importantly is the movement and eye contact at those close encounters:roll:
Wayne

[Raymond Coffman]

#43797

I totally concur with MCuiska and Straight Aero, especially on eye contact, do not do it. I have proved that to may own satisfaction, and others. When they are close, just concentrate on the spot you want to hit { and shoot from a rear qtr angle if at all possible} – as I always keep telling myself -haha.
Scout

[CarolinaBob]

#44221

I have an Apache blind that I like. Best reference is that Too Short listed it in his “screaming Eagle” catalog.

[David Petersen]

#44311

Schwein — The unending abundance of site-specific situations makes any general coverage of this question incomplete. Nonetheless it’s a good question and in upcoming issues of TBM watch for articles on basic ambush tactics and building natural brush blinds.

So far as looking animals in the eyes, I agree it’s best not to. Even so, I have long had the habit of squinting my eyes almost closed when game is near and looking my way, until I’m ready to shoot. Better yet, light conditions allowing, are sunglasses. I also use vertical dark lines of camo across my eyes, forehead and cheeks to break up the shape and horizontal plane. And a facemask. Aside from inviting deer’s “sixth sense” to lock onto your stare, focusing on an animal’s eyes, like looking at antlers, is a great way to shoot high and miss.

[wildschwein]

#44825

Now sunglasses are a new one for me. Do you find that they interfere with the string at full draw, or do you use a wrap around type? Like goggles?
Also where do you folks find your face paint? I have been looking all over town and nobody carries it, or will only carry it during Halloween. And since season starts in 17 days any suggestions on where a guy could order some would be appreciated. The fact that I haven’t used it before can be attributed to my lingering rifle hunter habits. So much more to learn :?.

[Mark Turton]

#45299

MCuiksa has covered pretty much everything only things I can add are be comfortable, cut shooting lanes as far in advance of the season as possible, when your bow is at rest have it vertical to reduce movement when you pick it up, background is equally as important as foreground you want depth in order to make your form more difficult to detect, like Dave says face paint or veils are good avoid dark colours around eyes be sure to use paint on ears as these can stick out like white dishes on an otherwise well painted face, I use fingerless gloves and face paint on fingernails. Make sure the face paint can easily be removed with wipes if you have any distance to travel pitching up at a filling station or dinner might get you more attention than is healthy.

[David Petersen]

#45896

Wildschwein — I prefer Hunter’s Specialties camo facepaint, which I get at a local sporting goods store but most trad archery supply houses also carry. It comes in a tube, is cold-cream based, so it goes on easy and stays on well even in rain, but washes right off with soap and warm water or a “handy wipe.” I prefer black and that’s the only color I’d buy but it comes in boxes of three tubes, usually black, green, and brown. For some reason the different colors don’tact the same; specifically, green rubs off while brown and esp. black stay put. A tube lasts me a few month-long seasons — just takes a dab. I wear a pull-up net camo face mask when on stand or closing a stalk, but pull it down for better vision and hearing when walking around. So the face paint is mostly backup in case I get caught with my mask down.

[strait-aero]

#46764

Once again,what DP says,but I use a small compact with black,green and brown. And it has a mirror so that I can see what needs striped.Like Dave reinterated,black is best for staying put,when the face mask is down.8) Wayne

[strait-aero]

#46771

Hunter’s Specialties makes this also.

[Steve Sr.]

#46871

What do you find more important as far as cover in front of, or behind the shooter?

Ok, should there be a reader here not already informed of such……..I’m a bit “odd” and tend to shy away from just about anything not natural in the woods……especially if it’s something I have to carry. 😉

Two things I attempt, if at all possible, and seem to work well for me from ground stands is this:

SHADE! If not always in the shade, I pick spots where a slight movement later in the time hunting I can move to do so at will. This mandates a rapidly and quietly moving seat since I dont (cant….sigh) sit nor stand at long time intervals. Mine is a bucket……not a joke. Not “natural” but I can’t carry a stump either! 😥

COVER……BEHIND me, at least partially and usually I eyeball that cover hard trying to pick up where it is NOT a solid colored/contrast one either, like a field of corn. Much too solid for my tastes yet a bush to one side and I can sit with the bush much to one side of me but NOT completely? Oh yeah.

Don’t and never could stand cover in front of me. I have figured out one thing for sure and that is that the deer will NORMALLY……….NOT come from or be in the spot I think they will! Trail or no trail.

Cover in front of me is ALWAYS blocking at least one shot direction and I can count on something being on the other side of it at some time or another and in range. Drives me NUTS……and that is not a long journey! 😆

I’ve a LONG time trad buddy that hunts the opposite way and usually has a “nest” of cover to sit inside and shoots over the top of it. Works for him, I’d mess that up whacking somethng with my bow limb. He often shakes his head in wonderment on “how do you get by sitting out in the open like that!! I get busted every single time!”

It’s been a discussion of several decades now between the two of us and makes for a good laugh some days yet we cannot put a finger on one explicit factor that causes such radical differences in experiences.

I once shot a doe with a longbow at about 12 yards that I happened to see sneaking out of the cornfield heading my way. I dont recall their being so much as a knee high sapling within 10 feet of me. I just held still watching her feet (a trick I feel works so I can not make eye contact “by accident” and keep their location pinpointed). I pay attention to which way the animal is looking but never look directly at their head.

It’s kind of like the young boy that has his Dad walk in and catches him up. He ran towards his bed …………with his eyes closed “so Dad couldn’t see me”. 😀 ….or something? I really dont know but know I have had deer RE HE HE Healy close doing so and never blow up on me till downwind. Cant argue with results so…..till somethng better comes along? Ill stick with it.

My biggest “problem”, although it’s one I hope to continue having, is when about5-6 deer get “too close” by coming (again) from a direction I don’t “expect” them to and drawing on ONE is not something I’ve figured out how to do when there are a dozen eyeballs out there IN RANGE! Drat the luck but dang if that AIN’T FUN!.

BEING busted is nothing more than a fun exercise that simply adds “trophy points” to the one that DON’T get away when I use my type of yardstick to measure such.

God Bless!
Steve Sr.

[SteveMcD]

#47255

I also agree with what everyone has said. I love using natural ground blinds and blind multiple blinds for use in multiple areas. The reason for doing this, is because you have to pay attention to weather and wind patterns and direction. I also agree with Mike, and I like having cover in front of me to hide any movement, once deer get close within 15 yards, it is almost impossible for them not to detect some amount of scent, so be as unobstrusive as possible and let them pass you before you draw, but yes, once I see a deer coming the bow is in my hand and fingers on the bowstring. One thing that is often over looked (in my opinion) is THERMALS, deer use thermals as much as the wind to detect scent, if you get a topo map and study your hunting area it becomes obvious to where the funnels and likely feeding and bedding areas are. But how the sun hits the landscape will also help determining thermal patterns, as well.

Thermals rise during the morning and lower later in the afternoon. For this reason, I like to hunt oak ridge saddles more on the high ground, but below the ridge tops.

[Mark Turton]

#47907

Steve, a good friend that is no longer with us used an old metal bucket the way you do, when the weather got cold he would light a candle place the bucket over it and sit comfortably.

There is one last way to guarantee deer in range, that’s when you have a sandwich in one hand coffee in the other.

Mark.

[jmsmithy]

#53882

Hey Wildschwein

I’ve hunted quite a bit from the ground taking turkeys to black bear w a blown shot opportunity at a brownie to boot. Done it from dressed up blow downs to commercial pop up hub styles. All work w similar things to look out for.

– Set up w a religious respect for the wind in such a way that you can keep cutting/trimming to a minimum.

– Never look an animal in the eye. They sense life as do we.

– Forget camo etc. Wear black especially if in man made blinds. If in blowdowns stay dark out of any light as much
as possible.

– be extra sure to clear any and everything at your feet. Ground hunting is an extreme close range game and you’d be shocked how loud dry grass/twig/leaf can be. Especially when something that can smack u back is 5 feet or less away. I once had (last season in fact in NEW JERSEY not 250 yes away from where 3 little girls played in their yard:!::!::!:) a black bear sow w 3 cubs flip my blind over and chase me to my truck. Want exciting? Won’t get that in a tree ( though I’ve been chased up them and out of them before too:!:).

I actually have that on BBerry taped but due to some kind
of corruption nonsense I can’t retrieve it. Any techie want
to help with that one I’m all ears!

[wildschwein]

#53936

LOL man I wish I could see that vid! And I bet as a memeber in good standing of this site that you composed yourself as a rugged woodsman should, and only yelled at a slightly elevated pitch during your mad dash to the truck:P.

[jmsmithy]

#54825

I was very composed. However I did manage to make up a few new words heretofore unknown to the english language:shock:….and, oh yeah, had to disgard a few slightly soiled garments…:oops:

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