Advice on Ground DEER Blinds.....

Boeing · Nov 27, 2014

I know there are hundreds of deer hunters out there who might offer some suggestions on this. I have hunted many times in a tree stand and IF....I can sit still I might get a deer. (I tend to get the wiggles when I get cold) Anyway, I planted a nice food plot at the junction of my property and the next guy's. The woods around are fairly open and if would be impossible to get to and from undetected. I bought one of those camo "pop up" boxy blinds to go into the brush beside the plot. Not real noticeable (to a human) and sets up easily. It is SO light that it blows over easily so you need to tie it or stake it. THAT makes it much less portable. SOOOO....here are the questions...It is made of a light vinyl fabric and I don't think it would survive long in the open elements. Also, there are bears that occasionally tear things up around my land.....(drain pipes off gutters, Plastic propane bottle covers) AND irate deer have even torn trail cameras off trees. IF I leave this blind in place is it likely to be torn up by critters or elements? OR, If I put it up, take it down, put it up, take it down would it not ADVERTISE when I am in the area and keep the game away? This is a dilemma......but it IS warmer than a tree stand and I can wiggle What is the BEST way to use this pop up blind?
Thanks

STx · Nov 27, 2014

This is what we do in Texas. It's going to be insulated with paneling on the inside walls and high shelves. I've already installed the propane heater, the mornings can be kind of chilly. I would thing this would be bear proof and after 2 or 3 weeks, the deer won't even notice it anymore. It took my buddy and me about 3 hours to build this and only cost about $300 in materials. We did have a generator and a gas powered air compressor to run power tools and nail guns though, that probably cut our build time in half of using screws or a hammer.

The blind is 4' x 6' with the floor 8' off the ground. The 4x4 posts were set 3' deep in concrete and we ended up cross bracing them as well. It's rock solid and should last a LONG time.

The last photo is the view from the blind.

robstaples · Nov 27, 2014

I've used a portable blind(various ones )for 30 years. I set up one or two days before opening day. My brother puts food down in my area starting 3-weeks in front of season. He's 50 miles and I'm 550 miles away. (private land) The deer will look at the blind but I stay dark inside and about 90 yds away. Other hunters on the property have hard wall blinds (permanent) and can make a little more noise inside. Scent seems to be my biggest issue. Stay warm so your quiet and comfortable , and low scent emission ( minimize heat). Has worked for me. Just got back from 6 degree mornings with no extra heat. ( I used a down sleeping bag and lots of clothes) , Does came in but no bucks during the day.( 3 feet of snow too!! ) of course the deep snow overroad some of the deer's caution. But the bucks came in at night( trail cams). Thinking of trying Texas deer hunting!!

Danny C · Nov 27, 2014

STx said:
This is what we do in Texas. It's going to be insulated with paneling on the inside walls and high shelves. I've already installed the propane heater, the mornings can be kind of chilly. I would thing this would be bear proof and after 2 or 3 weeks, the deer won't even notice it anymore. It took my buddy and me about 3 hours to build this and only cost about $300 in materials. We did have a generator and a gas powered air compressor to run power tools and nail guns though, that probably cut our build time in half of using screws or a hammer.

The blind is 4' x 6' with the floor 8' off the ground. The 4x4 posts were set 3' deep in concrete and we ended up cross bracing them as well. It's rock solid and should last a LONG time.

The last photo is the view from the blind.

Nice raised blind! Been thinking of building something very similar!

JMER817 · Nov 27, 2014

Love mine as well. Nice staying dry when the weather gets bad. Extends my huntin season.

Boeing · Nov 27, 2014

Michigan Rob,
Do you LEAVE your pop up "set up" the entire season? I usually do BOW, which is about 2 MONTHS. I was concerned about bears tearing it up but I guess that is a risk to be run....
My friend uses one on a HUGE field but he sets it up THAT morning and puts a doe decoy about 50 yds in front. The deer focus on the decoy and seem to ignore the blind. He takes it down EVERY day..... He also has a UTV and an open field to take this stuff out and in........
BTW........anyone use these for TURKEYS in the spring?

Gator6x4 · Nov 27, 2014

A neighbor built a platform three steps off the ground it looks to be about 8x8, never measured it. He places a camouflage tent on it and leave it up if he is going to hunt multiplie days but takes it down when he is not. It doesn't seem to bother the deer, he kills several every year.

robstaples · Nov 27, 2014

Boeing,
I leave mine up for the week or so that I hunt ( gun only). This year the top half caved in from the snow over night. My current blind is called "Bone Collector" and the five sides "pop/ spring" open. While it is reasonably easy to setup and take down, that would be too much every night and to noisy in the morning. Then there is the chair and "wool insulation". If you need to tie yours up, I'd suggest a tree branch/mini log super structure that you leave up (TePee shape or functionally equivalent for your blind) and leave your blind up overnight if you're coming back and take down and store under tarp (local storage) for longer away periods. Any food / or smells-like-food and the bears will find it and rip their way in. Another idea, years ago, I transplanted little pine trees into a circle to surround my blind site with the intent to trim shooting lanes and have permanent camo. Trees look great now but I've moved to another site further from my brother. I'd suggest a permanent rail in some form for a rigid gun rest. I could fill a small book on all the blinds I've tried over the years. Important things, quiet floor under feet, wool over noisy fabric, openings that don't drip inside from the rain. Walls that don't flap from the wind. Just a few.

grnspot110 · Nov 27, 2014

Mine is permanent, 6' x 6', made mostly of used lumber:

It sets on high ground, overlooking some open area & trails:

This guy came within 40' of me:

I use one of the "Buddy Heaters"

in in cold weather, makes a good place to get out of the weather when I'm working at the farm!

kneedeep · Nov 27, 2014

Another idea- We use a popup to hunt different setups. Wind, trail deer are using, neighbors corn pile (LOL), etc. Can also use in orchard when fruit comes in early in season and as long as deer using area.
Have a 'temporary' (not attached to ground) blind 8' platform box on big greenfield overlooking 25 acre cut soybeans and woodline.
The 'Condo'(my son named it 10 years ago!:dance1

Drilled wheat in the beanfield and Condo across ditch from same spot- AMBUSH!!!!

My experience with popups is they are great for a quick set, hunting several days in same spot, misting rain and old farts who can't climb ladders.
If you leave it out all season it may not survive, JMHO :confused3:

EddieWalker · Nov 28, 2014

Since it's your land and you will be there for a long time, why not just build a permanent blind? Like the others have posted, you can put a heater in there and make it as comfortable as you want. If you get tired of sitting, stand up and stretch your legs, twist around and do whatever you want to get the blood flowing again. I have some really comfortable fold up chairs in mine that I found at Walmart that are great. You just have to be careful of getting too comfortable and falling asleep.

Eddie

kneedeep · Nov 28, 2014

A sled type platform on the ground with walls and roof can be moved around with a UTV or tractor. My Duck blind is on skids in case it needs to relocate.
Also, I save some magazines every year that I don't read for the Deer Blind to keep my mind alert. A comfortable chair and heater is a sure fire recipe for a afternoon nap which will guarantee NO MEAT!!! :laughing:

STx · Nov 28, 2014

EddieWalker said:
You just have to be careful of getting too comfortable and falling asleep.

Eddie

Is that a bad thing? I get some of my best sleep in the deer blind. We put office swivel chairs in where you can adjust the height and they recline, so...

Boeing · Nov 30, 2014

How do GROUND level blinds compare with 18' up a TREE? I like tree stands, it's just that I get cold and start wiggling.....
Anyone use DECOYS? Seems like a good one could keep the attention off the hunter.....

JMER817 · Nov 30, 2014

Boeing said:
How do GROUND level blinds compare with 18' up a TREE? I like tree stands, it's just that I get cold and start wiggling..... Anyone use DECOYS? Seems like a good one could keep the attention off the hunter.....

The higher up that you are the better chance of your scent not being detected. In a tree stand you have a much better view. A ground blind that isn't too open can also hide your scent. After hunting in a ground blind the last couple seasons I am liking it much better. I can move around easier, and am more comfortable which in turn allows me to bstay out longer.

forgeblast · Dec 3, 2014

Stx awesome stand, this summer when I build mine I may have a few questions for you. I have the spot, now I need to find out how far I can dig down, there may be bedrock and that may change the plan. thanks for the pics they are great!

dclynch · Dec 3, 2014

After a fall and many weeks in the hospital and months of pain. My wife said no more trees for me.

So I built a shed that sits about 10' off the ground and I have a actual stair case with hand rails to get in and out. I spend a lot of time at the property and have food plots planted and made trails to all the blinds that get mowed twice a year sure makes it nice to be able to sneak into and out of the woods. I went all out on mine and insulated and this year installed paneling. Next spring it will have vinyl siding on it. It was cold this rifle season but a little buddy heater on low and I was sitting without a coat. This has been in place for 5 years the deer don't even look at it anymore. We have 5 sheds on the property and we also use a popup blind that we leave out all season. after a couple of days the deer don't pay any attention to that either.

STx · Dec 3, 2014

forgeblast said:
Stx awesome stand, this summer when I build mine I may have a few questions for you. I have the spot, now I need to find out how far I can dig down, there may be bedrock and that may change the plan. thanks for the pics they are great!

Ask away, I'll be happy to help. If you can't dig down deep enough, you can always flare the legs for the base, like this -

They sell elevator brackets so you don't have to worry about getting the angle just right - 4x4 Elevators,® Set of 4 - 83819, Tree Stand Accessories at Sportsman's Guide

Then you can use guy lines and mobile home anchors to seady it in the wind. I have soil that's easy to dig in so it was easier/faster/cheaper for me to just set my posts in concrete.