Ground Blind

[DSARGE.308]

Went on post and reserved my hunting area for '07 and I am fired up! I have a 400yrd circle that I am limited to, so I cannot stalk or set up multiple stands. I am wanting to hunt from the ground this year. I have tried a few blinds, but cannot find one that allows me to draw. I shoot a 72" longbow, and I am 6'3", so I need room. Has anyone got any experiance with traditional hunting from ground blinds. I am kicking around the idea of building a portable/collapsable one out of PVC pipe, zip ties, and camo netting with an open top. I have talked to alot of folks that love the ground blinds, but I will have to give up my "view from above" in the tree. I also wonder if there will be more of a problem hiding my scent. Lastly, the South Texas rattlers will be around till it cools off!! Based on your experiances with trees vs ground blinds, what are your pro's and cons. Finally, what is a "trad friendly" brand of blind or plans of blinds ya'll have built? Thanks for your advice.

[duck'n]

I am pretty much forced to hunt from the ground based on the height of the brush down here where I hunt.  I have had good luck with popups but if I was in your shoes, I would make up a ground blind using a cattle panel.  I don't know if I can post a link so I will play it safe and PM you a Texas bowhunting website where you can find great instructions on building these.  The guy that posted the instructions is a traditional bowhunter and that is the beauty of it...highly adaptable for shooting longer bows.  You can also create camera ports or viewing windows for kids/non-hunters.  I have been wanting to build one but where I hunt, I have to stay real mobile.  Oh and you can dig the bottom out a bit if you need more clearance.  Anyway, check your PM's.  As for the buzz sticks, they are a problem regardless.  I will say I had more resident pear rats and unidentified 8 legged friends than I did snakes but you always want to be safe.

If you opt for a popup, there are some newer models out there including but not limited to the Double Bull Matrix recurve model that should allow you to shoot that 72" bow.  You can go to Cabelas in Buda and check em out set up.  Good luck.  I really enjoy hunting from the ground now.  I didn't realize how much till I climbed up in a tripod late last year.  I couldn't wait to get back on the ground!

[kirkwhitehead]

if you decide to go w/ the cattle panel blind,I have 4 or 5 full length como netting you can have.
some sob was tresspassing 2 years ago and i found his spot, so they did not cost me anything. you pay shipping or we can meet up somewhere.

as far as commercial blinds, the double bull in recurve model will get the most votes, for me just under 5 bills is too high. I have been looking at the ground max pro escape. for about 150 it might be a contenter. it also is a tad bigger than any of the 2x bulls.

if you want that netting shoot me a pm.
kirk

[VinnieB]

i made a blind out of a twelve foot piece of camo burlap. i zip tied 4 tobacco sticks into the burlap. i can fold it up and carry it nicely. i carry a hammer in my pack just to make sure it holds still. the whole blind cost me 5 bucks.

[benderofwood]

You are a pretty good size fellow and your 72 inch longbow will almost force you to have a open top blind, but don't get discouraged; you can build a great blind for a fraction of the cost of a commerical blind;

Mine is built out of pvc pipe {1/2 inch} that includes camo material that is made to slide on like a curtain and a few extra small drill holes in the pipe so that when set up I can take small branches and sticks and place them in the drilled holes to add a natural look; as for the top, I carry in the backpack, a small camo tarp just in case of bad weather but otherwise leave the top open for the ability to shoot; love to ground hunt;

Also there are times that I just carry a small folding limb saw and make a natural blind out of the surrounding brush; works great as well;

As far as your scent, a bath in a no-scent soap and be sure to hunt the wind in your face;

Good luck and keep us posted on your hunts this fall;............  

[Deadsmple]

Why not a blind made with whats out there? It doesn't take much to make a good natural blind. All you really need is good back cover. this little blind has served me well.
 
Just remember to set up so that all trails you expect the deer to come down direct the deer past your blind not toward it.

[Shawn Leonard]

A Double Bull would work well in  the recurve model. If the circle is 400 yards across ya could set up sevral stands easily. I have a five acre peice I hunt and have 6 stands on it. Shawn