New ground blind- please critique

[Autumnarcher]

Built this this week and added to it today after morning hunt.

View from the blind

[Duker]

NICE        How do you get in it  :p

[ChuckC]

where is it ?      

Looks good from here.  

Maybe add a bit more height to the back so when you look over the top to shoot there is breakup ?

Nice job
ChuckC

[wooddamon1]

Looks similar to what I whip together back home in Michigan when I find a heavy trail with fresh sign. As long as you can freely move and shoot I'd say it'll do just fine taking wind into consideration...Good luck!

[ron w]

If it's in a good spot and the wind is right it should be excellent!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

As long as you can extend your bow arm to where it needs to be, you should be good to go.

I tend to make my ground blends too small by accident.

Now if only you can see some deer.          :rolleyes:

[wingnut]

I like to make them a bit taller and shoot through a hole.  That way my upper limb and shoulders are broken up more.

Mike

[Autumnarcher]

Theres no shot behind , thicker than fleas on a goats behind back there. Heres another one i stumbled oon to om my way out. Natural blind, just had to tr a few lanes. Perfect for opposite wind. This area is always loaded witj big rubs but hard to hunt. I finally decided it was time to try.very thick, hence the string tracker.  

[Autumnarcher]

Wingnut any chance you could post a couple pics of how you build your blinds?

[Jerry Jeffer]

I like the second one better. First one looks kind of tight. Either way, looks like you have some nice set ups. Good luck.

[monterey]

Location, location, location!!

[Covey]

I love a good natural ground blind. Heck of alot more comfy than a treestand. Good work!

Jason

[ChuckC]

John, by my comment I meant. .  having a back that keeps your silhouette from being seen in the front is often more important than even having a front.  It is hard to tell from here, but if you peek up to shoot over the front, are you also coming up a bit higher than the back and getting back lit ?

Just a thought.  I like it
ChuckC

[Bobby Urban]

Have you used a string tracker before?  If not - the string does not come out in a straight line but rather unraveling in a big, gnarly ball.  You need to have a pretty clear lane from bow to buck or it will ruin your day for sure.  

Just thought I would mention that as it looks pretty thick where you are hunting.

[Autumnarcher]

Actually, on the first blind, its a lot roomier than appears in the pic. THe background is well above my head when seated.

I sat the second one this evening, but no deer opted to participate in the evening festivities.
I did have a red squirrel keeping me entertained, watching him feed on pine cone seeds and at one point he climbed down the tree I was sitting under. Thought he might jump off on my head!

[Looper]

I've shot a lot of deer from out of a lot more skimpy blinds than that. One thing on the first one, though, is that I'd keep my back up against that tree on the left. If you're sitting out in the middle, with that much light in the background, your head will be silhouetted. It wouldn't hurt to add some extra branches behind you.

[Autumnarcher]

Actually, the tree is my backrest. I always try to build my blinds around a tree to lean against, my back can't take it for long if I don't. Plus, I'm far less likely to fall off my stool when I doze off.

[Stumpkiller]

Originally posted by Autumnarcher:
Plus, I'm far less likely to fall off my stool when I doze off.

I caught myself asleep in my treestand last week.  Standing with my back against the tree!   :eek:    Getting home from work and running out to the stand - maybe not so great an idea!

When I set up a ground blind I make sure I have rear cover so I'm not silhouetted against the background.  I also like a tree to lean against (I use one of Dean Torge's style tree seats).  

Like others mentioned: location, location, location.  Scouting will tell you where the deer are at the hours you can hunt.  

Good luck with it.

[Autumnarcher]

I've used the tracker before, it actually plays out pretty good. I've never had a problem with it snagging enroute to the target. I have good shooting lanes for bothe setups. None of the shots are over 15 yds, most eing around 10 or less.

The pick of the first blind is really deceieving. The back is a lot higher than the front, and is brushed in, but a lot of it blends into the background in the pic.

The 2nd blind sits back in the cedars off the trail about 10-12 yds, and is shadowed really well. There are a lot of trees between me and the trail, with good shooting lanes between them. I may add some more cover behind me, as I think it could use a little more. But man is it comfy. The only thing I added to it was the stool, otherwise its exactly as I found it.

[JamesV]

I agree with Chuck, back cover is very important, even in a tree stand. If the deer can sky-lite you most times you will get busted.