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Thread: Considering a blind, advice appreciated

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
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    Considering a blind, advice appreciated

    A few weeks back we had a close encounter with a blacktail buck and doe that lasted about 20 minutes or so. They were within petting distance trying to figure out what we were the whole time and trying to get reactions out of us. We didn't move a muscle even with skeeters biting us all over, despite thick clothes and 3d camo bug netting lol ... made me think again about how cool a blind would be for those days (like the last few weeks with little bear activity) where we are pretty much just "camping with a gun" rather than hiking all over the place.... during less productive times when we might normally head back to camp to sit around and have a break to get out of the weather and away from the ticks/skeeters, it would be so nice to have a blind.

    We would be looking for something that is quick to set up and take down... we could go about our morning hunt and set up the blind later in the morning or early afternoon so we have a place to relax within our hunting spot during the afternoon rather than heading back to where we camp (away from the animals) to take a break from the bugs or the weather... maybe even hunt out of it in the evening and the following morning.

    My questions are:

    Normally when we are stationary, we just sit somewhere blending in with the terrain... very low profile. We have bears and deer walk up to us within a few meters, even from down wind. How much spookyness does a temporary artificial blind add? Are we significantly less likely to see animals?

    Does anyone have any recommendations on blinds that would be good for our application? We are looking for something that would be reasonable portable like a typical tent, nice for two people to sit in that doesn't let in too many bugs or water, material doesn't make a whole lot of noise in the wind/rain or if we need to move around to position for a shot. Doesn't have to be too big, but a bit of room to curl up if one of us wants to take a nap is useful lol

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
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    Deroche
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    Re: Considering a blind, advice appreciated

    I've got a couple buddies that hunt spring bear and whitetails exclusively out of a ground blind. Some 2 man pop up made by ameristep, it's a brickhouse I think. I can assure you, that even if you cover it well with brush, the local animals will pick it out from a mile away. The best way is to setup well before hunting season to allow the plastic and fiber smell to be displaced by nature. By then the animals won't even give it a second thought once you're in there ready to pull the trigger. Set up a trail cam and see how they may react in the first couple weeks.
    Huntin, fishin, and lovin every day.

  4. #3
    guest Guest

    Re: Considering a blind, advice appreciated

    A fellow with a Wack of knowledge got me thinking this way too. As I had never done it before, I'm doing it for WT but....... With family bagging five from it last year ........ Yes I think they work. That said, trails, reading sign, movement, camera work, salt or sweetening up the spot with some treats certainly help too.
    Thanks to him, he's helped me to revitalize my hunting due to health issues. Now I'm on a new project, and yes it may take years and years, baggin a huge WT buck ....... But dam it's hard to turn down terrific eating critters lol

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
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    1,593

    Re: Considering a blind, advice appreciated

    I have an Ameristep Doghouse blind I got on sale somewhere. It's a popup style with 4 steel rings to give it shape. It's roomy enough for 2 people. You'll want a folding chair and shooting sticks to make it practical.

    There's lots of videos on youtube about it. I need to watch the take down once a year. Ameristep Doghouse

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
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    Re: Considering a blind, advice appreciated

    Good feedback. We might reconsider the application. Perhaps setting up a temporary blind on weekends in a small feeding area would be a bit spooky for critters. Maybe we will set up a full-season one for the fall in a different area.

  7. #6
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    Re: Considering a blind, advice appreciated

    Barronett Big Cat 350 is an awesome blind. Zipperless windows, tons of space inside so you could definitely take a nap in it and easy to stand inside even if you're over 6ft tall. It says its waterproof, but I reinforced the seems on the roof with some flexseal just in case. Last year was the first year I used it. Set it up in August before the season in a spot near a trailcam where I was getting lots of traffic. But not so much after I setup the blind. So I took it down after a couple of months. Then in early November the wife and I decided to take it out for a day hunt. We left the lower wasteland at 1am and got to our parking spot at about 4am. Grabbed our packs and gear, and we each grabbed an end of the folded up blind, and started the 1.5km hike to our spot. It wasn't too heavy at all, but once we started walking through the thick timber in the dark it was a little more challenging, but totally worth it. Got to our spot around 6:15am or so and setup the blind and got settled by 6:40am or so (still before first light). I started rattling antlers for about 45 seconds at a time every 5 or 10 minutes and mixed in some doe can bleats and some grunt calls in between. All of a sudden a young whitetail buck appears looking towards our blind from about 75 yards away, while eating some greens. If we were not inside the blind he would have busted us for sure (we're still learning about how to better control our movements while ambush hunting, so the blind works wonders for us cause it lets us get away with the slightest movements). Managed to call that buck in to 25 yards and I nailed him right behind the shoulder. It wasn't until he got that close to us that he seemed alarmed by the blind, or noticed that it stood out and that there was a new object in his territory. It was my first whitetail ever. Got him all in the packs (ribs and all) and were back to the truck by noon, and back home by mid afternoon. An awesome day trip with the blind.

    So I'm a huge believer in hunting from a blind, and I think if you're in the timber, its definitely possible to setup the blind the very first time you go to an area and hunt out of it right away and still be successful. I know you're more of a blacktail hunter caddisguy (I'm trying to learn how to hunt them too) and can't wait to setup a blind for blacktails - problem is finding a flat spot to set it up.

    Good luck this year man!
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  8. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Posts
    2,313

    Re: Considering a blind, advice appreciated

    Hey Caddisguy , on page 22 of hunting gear for sale is my Cabelas Ground blind and Chair for sale .
    Am in Chilliwack .
    Cheers
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  9. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
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    1,009

    Re: Considering a blind, advice appreciated

    I had a similar experince near Gold River. A 2 point buck walked up to about 8 ft from me. He could see I was something but couldn't figure out what. I had an orange hard hat, cruiser's vest and orange uglies on. Colour doesn't matter too much, just make sure any movement is hard to see inside the blind. I've built them from slash in cuts, works well to and is free. Good luck!

  10. #9
    Join Date
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    Re: Considering a blind, advice appreciated

    I have 4 blinds and have been hunt deer and elk out of them for 5 years.

    Look for one that has a min 75" hub to hub measurements for two people to sit and a big enough door to easily get in and out of with warm bulky cloths.

    I set mine up as early as I can, but if thinking of bears, better try to scent proof it as they will find and destroy it. Happened to two of the blinds my partners used last year. Gets expensive!!

    My favorite blinds are Ameristep Brotherhood and Bone Collector.

    Cheers

    SS

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  11. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
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    Re: Considering a blind, advice appreciated

    I have the Ameristep Carnivore which I picked up on sale for less than half price. It is a pop up blind that is very quick and easy to set up and very roomy inside. It is a little heavy to pack in at 22 lbs but well worth it when you have it set up.

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