What do you do to keep yourself occupied while blind/stand hunting?

[Buckmeister]

When I'm in a blind and not much is happening I find it difficult to stay put, especially if it's really cold. The longest I have sat in one sitting was around 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Another time I sat for several hours, heard my buddy shoot something in another blind close by, helped him, then sat for another stint, got close to 6 or 7 hours that day. In order to keep me seated longer I bring my smart phone with me, no service out there however, and I have a game or two loaded up that I can play to pass the time, like solitaire. That works well, especially when the forest floor is noisy with dry leaves or crunchy snow so I can hear stuff approaching. My field of view out the blind is limited, so I'm not really afraid of missing any game coming into view while I'm not looking.

What about you folks? Do anything to keep yourself seated and occupied? I can only stare at the same scenery for so long. Anybody bring a book or kindle to read? Whatcha do? Or are you able to just keep watching like a hawk?

[wideopenthrottle]

if I get antsy I move to a new spot...I just cant seem to sit for more than about an hour...there is an infinite amount of scanning to do when sitting but sometimes you just get a gut feeling it is time to move on

[J_T]

hhmm, maybe hunting isn't for those that are not patient and can't sit.

[Daybreak]

It's mind over matter. If I'm sitting in a tree stand I know it's exactly where I want to be, I'm doing exactly what I want to be doing and you never know what might happen at any moment. I remind myself that while I am "forced" to sit watching nature unfold there are others toiling away at gruesome jobs hating life.

[wideopenthrottle]

hhmm, maybe hunting isn't for those that are not patient and can't sit.

ummm.....hunting is more than just sitting jt....sitting is one type of hunting but I much prefer stalking...cuz I can

[Buckmeister]

I'm reminded of a fellow who sat once, fell asleep, woke up later to find a nice 5x5 Whitetail feeding in front of him. Hunt was over. :)

[landphil]

I have a hard time sitting in one spot for a long period as well. I always have the feeling I'm in the wrong spot, and I'm missing out on what's going on somewhere else.

I also cook a lot of tag soup, and the two are most likely connected.

[J_T]

ummm.....hunting is more than just sitting jt....sitting is one type of hunting but I much prefer stalking...cuz I can
Simply providing an alternative perspective. I don't know many predators that don't have an immense amount of patience. Perhaps I should have said, maybe, some forms of hunting are not for those that aren't patient.

[ncurrie]

If I have to sit I bring a book or play crib on my phone or listen to music. But I hate sitting

[okas]

watch porn on my cell :oops:

[DANOSON]

Watch TV mother natures TV the channel is always changing and there always seems to be something on thats not a rerun.

[DawsonCreedmoor]

I've fallen asleep a few times, had to check the trail cam to make sure i didnt miss my chance at a big buck lol bring a book, good lunch and a propane heater. it makes for a nice day!

[monasheemountainman]

Yeah I can't sit for long either, I would much rather hike around! I guess its probably why I never shoot big whitetails

[GoatGuy]

We used to just sit under trees all day. Things that make it better: a blind, lawn chair, propane heater, backpack stove, thermos, book, cellphone, cards, crib board, sleeping bag, and hot pockets. We always hunt in pairs for sleep breaks. Dark til dark.

You could practice by turning the tv on channel 1 with the volume muted.

[BRvalley]

I seem to have a strong population of squirrels, grouse and weasels around my blinds that keep me on edge...every little twig snapping or leaves crunching is the next monster buck about to walk by

but failing that, I play a lot of black jack and poker on the phone to help kill the time when I'm losing my motivation...I also loaded a couple audio books on my phone and listened to them this year, keeps your eyes and hands free, and with the volume at a reasonable level, you can still hear those pesky squirrels causing a ruckus for no apparent reason

a blind offers a lot of luxury that a tree stand can't, but the audiobook works just as easily in the stand too

[Carrollizer]

Never been one for sitting and waiting. Longest I've mustered was about 1.5-2 hours then got bored and started to hike, found some does and followed them for a bit.
Hate to say it but I've turned into a road hunter of sorts - drive around, see some does. Park the truck, and then follow the does and hope they lead me to their boyfriends.
So far its produced tag-soup, but only been lead to bucks not in season - 2points in a 4 point MU, etc.
Still hoping for my first buck to go down. need to keep on the any buck areas instead of going to the 4-point MUs

[srupp]

Hmm never seemed to be a problem..as long as a comfortable chair...

Going guiding for wolves..dawn till dusk..lots of chair time over 10 days..
Comfortable chair..is secret..and enjoy what your doing.
Steven

[OutWest]

We used to just sit under trees all day. Things that make it better: a blind, lawn chair, propane heater, backpack stove, thermos, book, cellphone, cards, crib board, sleeping bag, and hot pockets. We always hunt in pairs for sleep breaks. Dark til dark.

You could practice by turning the tv on channel 1 with the volume muted.

x2. That setup helps a guy with monotany of sitting dark till dark and not seeing much.

Trail cameras and reading are things that help me pass the day. Having pictures of shooter bucks coming to my stand/blind is all I need to commit myself to sitting however long it takes for however many days - even when I'm not seeing a ton of deer each sit. I do a lot of reading during my sits. Can't count how many times I've seen nothing for hours then had my head buried in a story for 10-15 minutes only to look up and had deer at the feed.

Sitting with a partner helps but when you're on your own it's just mind over matter.

[widger]

For many years goose hunting in Sask while sitting on a bucket I have viewed porn. It is a time to sit back, ponder and view the majesty of lady bits.

[dragonslayer]

Just like you Buck, I seem to sit and wait, but then again I keep wondering after hrs was that the wise choice , so I move and then wonder if that was the right move , go fiquire, and then go back to my fist choice, and have lucked out, but what a stupid decision to have to make, anyones guess ! Don't bring anything to read or keep my interest other than keeping a sharp eye.

[Fred1]

Longest I have been in a stand is 6 days and 5 nights straight... I once did 22 0f 30 days in one tour. You can hallucinate, hear things, sleep with your eyes open, fade in and out of this dimension and even get stuck in another, you can feel totally stoned and never touch any booze or drugs, you can absolutely scare the hell out yourself with a single fart, you CAN count 10,000 bugs, a single Whiskey jack or frog may be utterly incredible for days! A far off gun shot makes hope like the coming of JC! So how do I keep myself occupied? I have utter faith Im going to see the coolest shit ever if I just hang in there!! It always works!

[hunter1947]

What keeps me set is thinking that any time a monster elk or deer will walk out that's what keeps me staked

[Ferenc]

Tex my buddy sitting in another treestand a ways away and tell him I'm seeing a lot of game and what a azzhole he is. Lol

[todbartell]

upload selfies to twitter

[Sitkaspruce]

A good book, charged 7" tablet, buddy heater and a whole lot of patience.....a lot!!!!

Obviously warm and comfy cloths, good quality boots, toque, face mask and gloves. This year I tried one of those foam mats on the ground to keep the cold off my feet....it works, just make sure it is well situated on the ground because it does get stiff in the cold and will move around and make noise.

A comfy chair with arm rests really helps; this year I tried one of those white plastic deck chairs with my thick seat cushion. Comfy, works even at -20 and does not make any noise. That was the problem with my camp trails lawn chair; very comfy but did make the odd noise when I moved.

Did I mention patience......

Took me a bit, but I really like sitting now....

Cheers

SS

[caddisguy]

I don't think I could ever mess around with a smart phone or read a book while hunting. Too easy to miss something. I've watched deer creep through alders without making a noise. I have also spaced out for a couple seconds only to snap put of it and see a deer ass creeping away. How to keep yourself busy? Try not to blink!!

That said, sitting and still hunting are both effective, so I think doing whatever you feel like in the moment should be just fine. Sit for an hour, cover a couple hundred meters over the next hour... repeat all day. Region 2 is cool that way... heck cover 10 meters and your sight picture can change 90% :)