Every year I think about it, but never get around to it. Any tips?
I use to, but haven't in about 15 or 20 years. I used them when I hunted areas where there were very few trees big enough to get in. I would dig a pit about 5' in diameter about 2' to 2 1/2' deep with a seat cut in on the off side of my shooting hole. I would take concrete wire ( what you use when pouring sidewalks or residential driveways) and run it around the perimeter of the pit I dug and a piece across the top. I would cover the entire thing with cedar branches, make a door in the back and a shooting hole and, walla, instant blind. Total concealment. The only problem is you can only see what comes directly in front of you. I took about three decent bucks in the early to mid 80's that way. I haven't done it since but have thought about it a few times.
I believe they are illegal here in Illinois.
I've used them in the past also. I made them about like straitshot but not so much cover. Sometimes that's the only blind that will work. You have to be a lot more careful about scent than you do in a tree. Gary
I use them when I can dig in the soil. They seem to work better giving the blind a lower profile. I hunt mule deer near hay fields not to many trees around. Deer seem to get use to they quicker than the bigger blinds.
Thomas, if you try that down here you better know how to swim.---------Bone
I've read about them too - they seem like major pains in the backside.
Bone--I can attest to that!!!!!
Never dug a pit blind, but have shot out of drainage ditches! Around here, there is alot of ditches winding thru, just like small creeks, but are usually dry.
They put you right at ground eye level. I have shot a couple deer this way, and it gives you an option of moving, kind of like the fox holes of war time.
Never dug one myself, but thought about digging one to put my pop-up over, seems this would give me a little more more room to manuvier my longer bows.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/TexasSweat08114.jpg)
Here is of my favourite pit blinds. My Texas Sweat honey hole. I shot alot of pigs out of this hole and most of them at less than 8 ft (most of them in the sandy spot to left of blind). I'm standing in this one, it's quite deep. I love to dig them into cut corn fields as well when there is no other vantage point. Hard to beat a pit blind with some ground cover. I think if you stay low there is less chance of your scent blowing around as well.
If the dirt is easy to dig, "hunt it" & "onewhohasfun" are right. The hole needs to be deep enough & wide enough for concealment. Use my folding stool & see 360 degrees under the woods canopy at ground level. Deadfall can be positioned with enough shooting lanes in every direction. I stand to shoot. Amazing results even downwind deer! Be considerate of livestock & landowners and watch out for snakes.
Sorry Straitshot. Meant to acknowledge your directions instead of OWHF.
ive dug just a hole big enough for my feet/legs to go in (18"s) and then sit on ground. work good in tall grass/weeds.usually back cover is all you need. i rise up a little to shot. do it early so you can loose the dirt.also deer will smell the fresh dirt and check it out! if you have a good spot it can be worth reinforcing the sides if sand so you don't have to dig it out every season. clay is a pain. good luck.
Illegal in Jersey,They were used back in the day for duck hunting and were great.F&G axed the use of them.
Waknstak, what makes you think they are illegal in Illinois? I'm not arguing, just wondering if there is a law against it or not. I've thought about doing it in the past.
2theTOP
Blinds of any kind are illegal in Jersey for deer hunting?
Pit blinds are illegal on BLM ( Bureau of Land Management) lands.
I have used pit blinds on private land; including 'perk pits' used for figuring out if land will 'perk' so as to allow building. Both worked fine.
Last year I sat on the edge of an island ; over the side of it and just above the water; and had a 6 foot shot up at a deer and connected. While not a pit blind; it had the same effect; being under the ground for the most part.
don't need a shovel if you look for the topography.