? for you ground hunters

[BOHO]

how do you build a ground blind? I know about getting in a tree top but what about actually building one from scratch at a desired location. What do you try to accomplish and how do you go about it?

[LKH]

Surprisingly you don't need much if, and that's a big if, you can keep still and get your background well established.  If there are trees to work with carry a strap on seat of carry one of the light ones, preferably with a back rest.

Don't build up your front so much that you can't shoot most directions.  

Ideally you are 15-20 yards off the trail with scattered trees/brush between you and the trail.

Don't set up down in gulleys no matter how good the sign looks unless you have a very good wind.

Make sure you have good back cover and that you are not sillohetted!

Bisch

[Butch Speer]

So far, some excellent  advice.

[britt]

I built my blind out of corn stalk burlap and 3/8 re-bar for poles/stakes. About 5ft. high and 7ft long. Shaped into a half circle. Cut small windows to shoot through. I set-up a buck decoy about 15yrds from blind. Harvested a nice doe this past Oct.

[JEFF B]

i just sit against a tree and that  works for me plus if ya want to  hide ya self put up a camo tarp  

A few dead sticks and I fill it in for the day with a Bush In A Bag.

[Blog on Bottom]

I don't build blinds much because I like to be mobile. I like what has already been replied - I prefer something behind me to break up my outline as opposed to something in front of me.
I do like to set up where there is a big tree or some obstacle about 5-8 yards away so that I can draw as something walks behind it. If hunting turkeys, I like even more in front of me since it is so difficult to draw on them.
Don't know that that is the best way, but it works fine for me...

[damascusdave]

Not all ground hunting is done from a blind...I got within 15 yards of both a mule deer doe and a whitetail buck this fall...plus I got to kill a grouse with my bare hands

DDave

[Duncan]

x2 on the back ground cover. Not so much front cover is needed if at all. A neat trick you can try when there are still leaves on the understory to create background cover where there is none is to pull a limb down behind your tree that you are sitting next to and secure it with a length of cord. Of course it helps if you have some low limbs available where you are hunting.

[TGbow]

Background cover is more important but I like enough in front of me so that it helps hide some movement when I go to shoot.

Depends on what kind of terrain you hunt too.
Here on coastal Alabama most shots I take will be under 20 yards because of thick terrain, that's where cover in front helps also. I like to cut out a hole in some thick bushes, set up in a blow-down, whatever's available take advantage of it.
Move as little as possible, and dont get discouraged..it's a learning exper.ience

[Mojostick]

Depends where you're at. If there's low hunting pressure, you can get away with "a lot of a little". If hunting in a place like central Michigan with 20 other hunters per mile, you need far more cover than you'd ever think to be consistently successful and don't plan on having many shot options and instead, have one tiny opening for that "one" very high percentage shot.  

If very high hunting pressure, you need lots of background cover and lots of front cover, if you intend to draw the bow. In an area like mine, with what many would call extreme hunting pressure, you can't lift a bow off your lap without lots of cover. Compare that to where I hunted in Illinois where I stalked a buck across a cut corn field and it didn't seem bothered by me. You'd never get 400 yards from a deer in a field where my property is in central Michigan.

[BOHO]

Thanks for all the tips guys. I hunt in west central MS and its VERY HEAVY hunting pressure. I'm going to build some ground blinds for next year in February while I'm scouting. Just wanted to see how some of you guys do it as I have never built one before. I have killed a few off the ground but thats sitting on the edge of a ridge overlooking a creek bottom with a rifle. We hunt river bottoms.

One of the biggest advantage of Howard Hill's shooting style is speed and equipment that allowed him to shoot fluid, accurate and quick. If you are sitting on a tree seat and a deer or a turkey gets into a shootable position, it is  better to not stare a hole through your targets eyeballs. Stare at your boots and keep tabs on the game without staring at it. Then when it is time to shoot, get on with it. Watch the John Schulz You Tube and you will get the idea.  I have found that animals pick up on slow movements almost to the same degree as fast ones. Sometimes a turkey will get the jump on you no matter how fast or slow you try to shoot. They can see well enough to tell if you have a turkey tag in your pocket, so they can see every move you make, even your eye balls. Quite often, a quicker shot will get to the bird before it jumps, well slow form will get you stuck at half draw.

[Cherokee Scout]

My experience has been that when building a ground blind less is usually better. I have spooked more than one deer by trying o build the blind too good.
Deer notice changes to their surroundings, especially major changes. Build them small and do not try to get too close, and sit "still".
One limb with leaves cut from a nearby tree and stuck into the ground at your side is better than building a log house of limbs to be totally concealed.

[Sam McMichael]

I gather up limbs and brush from the area of the blind, but be careful not to take so much that the hunt area is too open. When I trim the shrubbery at home, I take cuttings and pile them on. Now that Christmas is over, I will collect as many discarded trees as I can and add them. Over time the brush dries out and settles, so you will need to add to it from time to time. Make certain you pay attention to the backdrop

Also I am setting out Nandina (sp) bushes to grow a permanent brush screen. Also, I am planting Four O'clocks, a type of perennial flower that grows about 4 feet high. If that works out, my permanent ground blinds will require much less maintenance. Lastly, do all your blind work well in advance of the season so all the changes you make will look natural to game. Sudden, massive changes in your blind will be noticed by the deer.

[wooddamon1]

However you end up slapping something together, if possible make a couple blinds on either side of the trail/trails you'll be watching to take advantage of different wind directions. Where I hunt in one public spot, it seems to switch often. Having blinds ready to go I can make a quick move and stay hunting.

[jonsimoneau]

Carry some pruners and a good length of cord with you. Cut thick stuff and stick it in the ground behind you. Use the cord to tie the cover in front of you into a V, giving you lots of shooting lanes. Wear a Ghillie suit.

[BOHO]

Awesome tips guys. Thanks so much. Keep em coming if ya think of anything else