A ground blind is typically a portable structure in which a hunter remains undetected while taking a game such as a deer, turkey, and other animals. The use of ground blinds has been gaining popularity in recent years among hunters who seek the thrill of being near to the prey without actually hunting it.
Compared to conventional hunting methods, the usage of ground hunting blinds is the safest, cheapest, and easiest way to catch a game. The main components of a ground blind can be broken down into three categories: covering material, frame, and access holes. Let’s explore the best ground blind hunting strategies.
Ground blind hunting strategies
1. Do your research
It is essential that you research and collect information prior to hunting. You will need to select a spot where animals will pass through. To find the perfect spot you will need to become aware of the routes your targets (like deer) take. Understand the animals’ feeding and sleeping areas.
It is essential that you find yourself a spot where you are covered and blended with nature. Finding the best spot takes time, and you will need to make an effort to select one that meets all the parameters. Understand that the travel patterns of animals change through the season. You may gather this information by personally going to the site or you may invest in a camera.
2. Early set up
Animals know their territory well and can realize something is off when you set up your blind. Do not try to start hunting as soon as you set the blind up. Initially, the animal may try to avoid it which is why it is important to let them get used to the sight and smell of your blind.
3. Positioning your blind
One of the most essential components of ground blind hunting is to position yourself in a discrete way. Don’t try to position yourself with the aim of getting close to a target. There are several factors to look at before deciding on a spot.
Do not set up facing east as you will be facing the sun which will affect your hunting equipment. You will also not be able to see the deer properly with this positioning. Ensure that you pick a very green site, take the setup to the next level by sticking in leaves, branches, and the like.
4. Prepare your blind
Ensure that you keep the equipment on the site a day before you plan on hunting. Go to your site early to start on set up. Keep the windows and mesh at your desired configuration. Ensure that you do let in too much light.
Keep your hunting weapons such as guns and bow ready and within arms reach. Stay in a position that allows you comfort but also lets you move fast to take down the target. Do not skyline your blind.
5. Field of view
Ensure that you pick a spot that allows you to see the target with ease. A common mistake that occurs with the setup is that the hunter has limited visibility which means they only have a small window of time to mark and shoot the target.
This is not ideal and will not produce results. Set up your blind in such a way that you can track your target coming up to you. You will need to research trails and common hotspots before putting up your blind. We suggest you choose a common feeding area for your ground blind site.
Ground Blind Hunting Tips
- Keep a keen eye on your surroundings all the time, especially when setting up in an ambush position. In this case “safety first” is more than just a slogan. Build a high-quality ground blind with adjustable features which will provide you a good vantage point so long as it’s well set up and maintained properly.
- Bring appropriate camo for conditions – if it’s cold at night wear plenty of clothes with layers that can be taken off or added as needed; dress warmly during dawns and dusks so you’re not freezing but also don’t sweat yourself to death. Adjust accordingly based on seasons/climates where hunting takes place.
- Apply scent control techniques such as using rubber gloves or wiping down your equipment with odorless products like Lava soap before heading into the woods
- Make sure to pack food & water for long days (or even multi-day trips) because going back to camp isn’t always possible.
- Bring a knife and compass for emergencies. You never know when you might need either one of these (or both!) to navigate your way out if the area is unfamiliar terrain.
- Always bring a partner, make sure they’re an experienced hunter as well so that someone’s always watching in case something goes wrong. At all times hunters should be aware of their surroundings and not take any chances by leaving themselves vulnerable. The last thing you want is to be attacked while preoccupied with trying to set up camp – it can lead to serious injury and/or death.
- If possible, bring a rifle so that you’re prepared for any animals/game that might be larger than what’s expected.
- Give yourself plenty of time when hunting deer ground blind style because this is not how most hunters are accustomed to going about harvesting game. It’s important that you do everything right as well, such as being completely silent when you shoot.
- Always remember to respect the game and don’t shoot anything from an ambush position (that is, without giving them time to run away). It may sound like common sense but it can get confusing in the heat of things, even experienced hunters make mistakes sometimes; just remain vigilant at all times.
What makes for a good Ground Hunting Blind?
Ground hunting blinds come in all sizes and shapes. Some will stand on their own, while others may require some additional help to make them stable. The size of the blind you choose for your next outing depends entirely on what game you plan to take and how close you want to get.
For example, if you are going after turkeys with your ground blind, getting within 50 yards may be important, but if deer are your target, it can often be more beneficial to set up at about 150 yards or further.
Many features can make a hunting blind easier to set up, more comfortable, and practical. You must take advantage of all the features when looking for your hunting blind so that it will last you many years and provide you with plenty of successful hunts. These are some of the most beneficial features:
1. Adjustable flaps:
One major problem with ground hunting blinds is adjusting quickly from one angle to another without having to completely disassemble your sleeping bag or other gear and repack it into different pockets or bags.
Because of this, some manufacturers have come out with adjustable flaps on their models that allow you to move the top half of the window around and face it at a new angle while still leaving everything else inside nice and warm! This makes it very easy to set up in the mornings and allows you to find the perfect position for seeing your prey without being too exposed to the elements.
2. Ground blind Windows:
This is one of my favorite features. Some hunting blinds only come with one window or door, while others come with two, three, or even four! If you are going after deer with your ground blind, having a larger opening makes it much easier as they will not be easily spooked by putting your head out for quick looks at approaching the game.
On the other hand, smaller openings make it much harder for waterfowl or turkey to see inside at all. In this case, leaving a small flap open may be a good idea so that they don’t sense danger just from the sight of a complete wall.
3. Ground blind Doors:
While window flaps are helpful, they can’t be opened at night when it is darker outside, and your sense of vision is not as important as it will be during daytime hours. This is why some ground blind models come with doors built into them.
Doors provide total concealment in the dark while still allowing you to move quickly without exposing yourself if you need to make a quick exit. Good hunting blinds also have doors that seal very tightly so that no light leaks, sounds, and smell is traceable by your target.
4. Ground blind Heating:
Most hunting blinds do not provide heating by themselves, so make sure you buy a portable heater for your blind. However, if you are going after an elk, then having an electric heater or fire pit inside your hunting blind is essential if you want to stay warm at night.
For easier heat, try using a propane gas heater inside your blind with a special sleeve to run the hose through the walls. This way, you can turn it on and off without having to get up every time you want to adjust the heat!
5. Ventilation:
Having a good ground blind that can retain heat is important in cooler climates but can also work against you if it does not have enough ventilation. Many manufacturers now provide vents on the roof or underneath windows, so the warm air isn’t trapped inside during hot weather, and cold air won’t accumulate during chilly nights!
Unfortunately, if you don’t have proper air circulation, your scent will build up and blow out slowly through cracks under the walls and around everything else.
This is why some manufacturers have windows that can be opened and closed. Proper ventilation is very important because it helps keep animals from smelling your presence and prevents you from getting too overheated during warm months. The last thing a hunter wants is to spend all night sweating under heavy clothing in damp air that has no way of escaping!
Advantages and disadvantages of ground blind hunting
Ground hunting blind strategies are a way to hunt animals from the ground with minimal risk. The advantages and disadvantages of this method are listed below:
This type of hunting can be an inexpensive option because you don’t have to purchase anything besides your equipment that fits into your backpack. This means you need to pack less, making it easier on yourself when hiking or walking long distances while carrying heavy gear.
Ground blinds can also help reduce noise, which makes them ideal for certain areas where wildlife might not tolerate other types of noises such as gunshots. In addition, these blinds allow hunters more time in stealth mode without compromising safety.
It’s worth noting that some hunters find shooting within a ground blind to be difficult. This is because the sights on firearms might not align correctly with a person’s eye while using the ground as a reference point.
The hunter has to get close enough for their rifle barrel or shotgun barrels to line up with targets in order to make an accurate shot, which can put them at risk of being spotted by the game that approaches from different angles.
Ground blind hunting also doesn’t have many disadvantages, but there is one drawback worth mentioning: it takes patience and skill set training before you’ll truly begin seeing results. You won’t always see immediate success when doing this type of hunting so it may take some time until you’re able to successfully harvest your desired animal species.
Conclusion: Ground Blind Hunting Strategies
Hunting season lasts for at least three months in most areas of North America, so keep this in mind when purchasing your hunting blind. Also, make sure that it is insulated well enough to retain heat during cold nights but still has proper ventilation throughout the year so that no odors build up inside.
Even if you are only going after doves or squirrels, staying warm at night should be just as important, since many times, small game hunts take place well into fall.
Ground Blinds can also be used to hunt other big game and varmint species, such as elk and coyote. This will require having the correct license or tags. Ground blinds can also be used to shoot targets like bottles at some local ranges (if permitted), or you can use them for skeet shooting practice out of season when there is no chance of disturbing wildlife with gunfire.
In addition to standard bowhunting uses, ground blinds are often employed for predator hunting to get an unobscured view of their quarry without presenting the scent-warning profile which naturally accompanies leaving an artificial structure and walking into the natural cover on foot. This allows the hunter to get an effective shot at a wary coyote or bobcat without being spotted first.