Ground Blinds

[sakoshooter]

I'm trying to get some honest info on the use of ground blinds. Do you use one? Under what conditions? Which brand/model do you recommend? Shooting idiosyncracies from the blind? What's your routine to get ready to hunt from one?
Thanx in advance for the info guys.

[Dblstks]

I have used them before. I have only used them on antelope. I have heard/seen others use them on elk. For the antelope I use them at watering holes. Elk blinds are good for wallows and heavily used trails.
There are so many brands out these days it really comes down to personal preference. Double Bull blinds are well known. Cannot recall off the top of my head the brand of blind I have but I think it is a primos predator den. I have used other brands and had a hard time with them. I really like the blind I have. I will have to check the brand later for you.
It certainly takes some getting used to in regards to shooting from them. Having a good seat is a key. Something that will not make a lot of noise when you need to reposition. My dad had a white tail doe at 15 yards in a ground blind. He drew on her several times and had his arrow fall from the rest. She stared a hole right through him but never spooked.

They have there applications but certainly are not for everyone. Do some research and maybe even purchase an inexpensive brand first to see what you think.

[danceswitharrows]

If you are going to use a ground blind it needs to be up for a long time for the animal to get used to it.  I would not plan on putting it up and sitting in it the same day...unless you just want to drink coffee with your tag soup inside    I have used them but have MUCH better luck with treestands.

[bow4elk]

I love my Double Bull Matrix 360 (recurve model, which is 6" taller).  I bought it primarily for turkey hunting and for getting my girls out with me on more hunts now that that are 6 and 8 years old.  Best money you can spend for introducing young kids to hunting  

You want a blind that won't flap in the wind and one that will be completely dark inside.  Black internal walls is key to staying hidden - that and wearing all black from the waist up.

[sakoshooter]

Black inside brings up another question: Some of the blinds I've seen at Cabelas have windows all the way around. Great for shootin any direction but obviously you cannot open all of them or you will be silhouetted plain as day. I guess you'd have to face it toward where you hope to have a target and only open half or less of the windows.
As far as putting it up for the animals to get used to: I totally agree other than worrying about theft. They sure are obvious looking when you walk up on one.

I'm thinking of using it for elk hunting.

[bow4elk]

Black inside brings up another question: Some of the blinds I've seen at Cabelas have windows all the way around. Great for shootin any direction but obviously you cannot open all of them or you will be silhouetted plain as day. I guess you'd have to face it toward where you hope to have a target and only open half or less of the windows.
As far as putting it up for the animals to get used to: I totally agree other than worrying about theft. They sure are obvious looking when you walk up on one.

I'm thinking of using it for elk hunting.

You're correct on the windows.  If you follow the Double Bull "50/100 rule", you will reduce spooking game, especially whitetails.  Deer are most spooky with blinds at close range.  If you're in tight quarters and you expect deer to see the blind inside 50 yards, then the rule is brush it in very well.  If they can see it from 100 yards, then you don't need to be as concerned with brushing it in well.  Having said that, my 8 year old daughter rattled in her first blacktail buck (I was stoked!) with me about a week ago.  He appeared 20 yards from the blind and never gave it a second glance.  Elk and especially turkeys don't seem to mind them one bit.

[fishermanjoe]

I have had experience with two types of ground blinds. My favorite is the double bull dark horse. I used it for turkey hunting. worked out well is some conditions and not so well in others. They say you can shoot though the mesh, which i have, but have had more luck with the mesh down. One of the reasons i like the dark horse is the fact that you can fit two (husky) guys comfortably with two big lawn chairs. For turkey hunting you will have to scout out a spot and place the blind a couple of weeks before the season for them to get used to it if you are near their regular roosting spot. The other way is to put it out in the middle of a field completely obvious with your deeks. For some reason it does not bother them if you are not trying to hide it. My deer hunting experience has been putting the blind up two days before the opener, they are a little wherry of it but will commit to the trail if they see no movement. The other blind i have had experience with was a bending frame that folds down into a circle. I cant remember the name of it. I will tell you one thing about that type of blind, it is a pain in the arse to break down in the woods. You just about have it then a stick gets in the way or something and the dang thing will spring up in your face.

[Bean Counter]

I own the Ameristep Penthouse TSC (total scent control). I'm not sure how effective the scent control part is. Yes, its blacked out inside. It supposedly has "shoot through windows" but i'm not sure how you'd replace them once they've been shot up a bit.  I don't like how there's velcro and zippers. I'd like to see magnets (quiet release). It does have a bigger skyline than a smaller blind but its nice being able to stand up in it.  There's plenty of room for two big dudes in there to stand, sit in chairs, or spoon on the ground. 

[Button Nubbs]

I think I just went "blind" from that mental image...

[bow4elk]

I own the Ameristep Penthouse TSC (total scent control). I'm not sure how effective the scent control part is. Yes, its blacked out inside. It supposedly has "shoot through windows" but i'm not sure how you'd replace them once they've been shot up a bit.  I don't like how there's velcro and zippers. I'd like to see magnets (quiet release). It does have a bigger skyline than a smaller blind but its nice being able to stand up in it.  There's plenty of room for two big dudes in there to stand, sit in chairs, or spoon on the ground. 

Double Bull addresses all the issue you list.  Shoot-through netting (mesh) is one of those things that seems like BS until you try it - a lot.  I have not had any arrow accuracy issues out to 30 yards.  I keep it pretty taut without a lot of "waves" so my arrow hits it pretty much perpendicular.

[sakoshooter]

A ton of good info guys.
Another thought just came to mind: Fiber Optic pins - I shoot from under my shop porch roof on rainy days sometimes but the difference is night & day when I step out from under that roof to where the sun's UV rays can hit the fiber optic wraps.
How does the darkness inside of a ground blind affect your sights? Seeing threw your peep? Any problems?
Do you guys with the Dbl Bull blinds practice shooting threw the mess?
Can't the mosquitos get in threw the arrow holes? Just kidding.

[bow4elk]

A ton of good info guys.
Another thought just came to mind: Fiber Optic pins - I shoot from under my shop porch roof on rainy days sometimes but the difference is night & day when I step out from under that roof to where the sun's UV rays can hit the fiber optic wraps.
How does the darkness inside of a ground blind affect your sights? Seeing threw your peep? Any problems?
Do you guys with the Dbl Bull blinds practice shooting threw the mess?
Can't the mosquitos get in threw the arrow holes? Just kidding.

1. FO sight pins - not a big deal, never noticed but at once light starts to fade in the evening I put up the netting to see better anyway.
2. Yes, practice shooting through mesh with broadheads, in hunting clothing.  tip - buy the double bull foldign chair too - it's the best thing going for shooting from a blind.
3. Mosquitos - But a Thermacell and use it in the blind.  End of issue.  (they new earth scent pads are excellent too!)

[sakoshooter]

Bean Counter, If you spooned a little less, you'd probably shoot more elk.
I always get pitch all over me from the pine cones when I spoon.

[Bean Counter]

How do you know I'm not spooning the elk?     

[lokidog]

The netting is pretty good camouflage, but I am not sure I would shoot through it (archery).  Saw a blind with magnetic strips holding the netting instead of velcro, great idea.

Remember, if shooting a bow, it is a LOT harder to draw while sitting than kneeling or standing.  Just ask Weathergirl from last year's hunt.   

I tried mine for elk once, they definitely saw it.  Be sure to brush it in really well.