Ground Blinds for Whitetails

[katy]

Has anyone had much luck with hunting whitetails out of ground blinds. There is some pretty impressive deer paths that look like highways running along a fence where I hunt but the only cover is 2 corn fields with a fence in between and no trees around to put a stand up. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Also any recomendations on types of ground blinds?
Thanks

 

[Old Buck]

I've been doing some of my hunting and a lot of my video taping out of ground blinds for a number of years now. They can be very effective. I've taken one of my highest scoring bucks from a ground blind and passed many others. We've also taken a lot of does from them. They can also be good for beginning hunters, especially beginning bowhunters because you don't have to deal with shot angle, fear of heights, cold winds, double tree stands and long shots.

If you either brush them in well or leave them on location long enough for the deer to get used to them you can have some very close encounters. Many times I've had deer within 10 yards that didn't have a clue there was a person within a half-mile. Several times I've had deer eating leaves off the blind while I'm inside taping them. I mainly use a variety of styles of blinds I make myself but Double Bull makes some very handy commercial blinds. One thing I've been meaning to do with my Double Bull is to put velcro tabs or sew tie on strings to make brush attachment easier.

The down side compared to being in a tree is they can be very hot in warm, sunny weather, scent is more of an issue, it is more difficult to see deer coming especially when they come from a way you don't expect or if you are in much cover. I use them mainly in or near a food source or other fairly open areas.

Good Luck,
Old Buck

 

[Rembrandt]

Probably one of the most effective and least used hunting techniques...deer use fence lines like we use highways. My favorite is to take about 20' of woven wire, form a semicircle next to a fence and weave brush and cornstalks though the openings. Downside is getting winded, not as forgiving as a tree stand. Since prevailing winds are generally from the N-NW, this should aid in selecting the optimum site.

 

[Shovelbuck]

I've been hunting from the ground exclusively for 8 seasons now, half of those from blinds. Here's a pic of my setup the past 2 years for early season. Deer walk this fenceline like a highway and they also cross the fence 10 yds. in front of the blind. Allthough it appears that this blind sticks out like a sore thumb, I put it up Labor day weekend and will leave it there until Nov. The deer simply get used to it. Good luck.

 

[BW]

I always say the best hunting places are the worst place for a tree stand. A good reason to consider ground blinds as part of your outdoor adventures.

 

[oldgene]

Being in a wheelchair, I have had to use ground blinds for 35 years. One of the items we have had good luck with is small cedars that you often find along fence rows or out in open pastures. The deer are use to seeing them and I think it helps with scent. Good luck.