Do you black out for pop up ground blinds or other ground blinds?

[tradslinger]

I have been seriously hunting out of pop up ground blinds the last four years. I have used natural material ground blinds for years and used camo or plaid to hunt out of them. But the pop ups have a black interior and I do believe that unless one is somewhat matched to it, the contrast would be too obvious. I learned about being sky lined in a blind with too many windows open, had a buck spot me very quickly one time. So I use limited openings with one main one to shoot out of. On my property, the wife and I built a 6x8 foot and 7 foot tall ground blind that I lined in black. I actually took the narrow zipper window out of another pop up that bit the dust to make my shooting window. I made this strictly to shoot my longbow out of. Anyways, I wear a black shirt, black mask and black cap. I also wear black coverings on my hands. I also usually have a big aluminum pot that I burn a little bit of wood shavings mixed with some dead leaves. I try to make enough smoke inside to possibly help mask my scent. I have used smoke like this to smoke my clothes as well as me. Actually saw some African anti poachers do this with elephant dung to help with the big predators, seemed like they spent several weeks out in the bush doing their job.  I have seen a few people get away with not blacking out on some of the TV hunting shows but those don't always hunt like we do, it is a show. But I also know of a few guys that seem to get away with murder out in the woods. Of course I am trying for 12 yards or less on a shot at eye level. 

[rastaman]

I’m like you in that I keep all windows closed except for the main one in front of me. I sit as far back in the blind as I can. I used to black out but not so much now. I do stay perfectly still. My shots are from 5 to 15 yards. It definitely gets the adrenaline flowing. 👍👍

[tradslinger]

Yes, I sit way to the back and try to move as little as possible. I leave very small cracks for sneaking a look out to the sides but I try to keep them down to slits. I had to go to a taller stool to sit on because of my back. but your type of feedback is the type of feedback that is useable to someone like me, thanks

[Kenny Henderson]

This is my normal attire when I’m hunting from my blind, I only turkey hunt from my blind as well.

[GCook]

Yes, or at least dark colors like olive drab.  I use elevated shell blinds as well and use the same approach.  However on the elevated, six foot high platforms, I find it less of an issue.  Ground based pop ups black shirt and baclava for sure.

[Cory Mattson]

I never went the black out route. Mostly because I had so much success in the early days before the black out was developed and marketed.
I use soft colors only - tans, browns, greens. Face with some burned cork. I want to blend in with the light and color scheme at the location at that time of year. I sit as others have described here. Back against the back corner of blind so I get more room and a little further back from the window. I LOVE shooting through screens!! One of my favorite things. Yes ONE window open - takes more planning but worth it.
Another thing I don't like about blacked out blinds is I hunt a lot in warm weather. Sometimes early season I am in a blind in 80 degrees - sometimes 90 when I get in. Even October around here is in the 70s. So keeping things as cool as possible is important to me.
I have used ground blinds built at the scene natural stuff. Same drill though I prefer a softer color scheme.
ALL my blinds natural or box are always in the shade and set to blend in with Rocks, Trees, Blow Downs. I've set a few times right next to buildings in urban units. I don't like any blind as a stand alone with the exception of when I hunt fields that have been "round baled".
As years go I am hunting more and more on the ground.
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[mnbwhtr]

I always wear black in popups but my hunting buddy of 57 yrs just wears dark camo and does just as well. This is Antelope hunting without mesh in my shooting window. I have however shot through the mesh with both Antelope and turkeys when they didn't come into my open window.

[TIM B]

Usually wear black but not always.  Think it’s more than important to keep the blind in the shade like was said above.
Shut all the windows you can stand to. 
Sometimes I use gorilla tape to pull a window shade back a bit so I can see better.
Tim B

[GCook]

The mesh is difficult for me to see through.  Especially low light or light shining on it.  But it sure helps hide you.

[Bisch]

I wear a black shirt and hat, and usually have mesh in the windows too.

Bisch

[Sam McMichael]

Cory, it's been a while since I've heard somebody talk of using burnt cork as a face cover. Very retro grade! I like it. We commonly used it a lot when I was younger. Since I only hunt out of brush blinds, I dress in camo. But while we are discussing pop-up blinds, how do you handle a 68" longbow in a pop up? Every time I have tried it, my bow tip seems to hit the frame and make noise. My shortest longbow is 66" long.

[tradslinger]

Cory, it's been a while since I've heard somebody talk of using burnt cork as a face cover. Very retro grade! I like it. We commonly used it a lot when I was younger. Since I only hunt out of brush blinds, I dress in camo. But while we are discussing pop-up blinds, how do you handle a 68" longbow in a pop up? Every time I have tried it, my bow tip seems to hit the frame and make noise. My shortest longbow is 66" long.

They make extra tall pop ups now, I have two of them just for my longbow. One I bought at Wally World two years ago (it is like a mansion) the other one was bought thru same place on internet. otherwise I couldn't do it. I wanted to be able to shoot my longbow or my selfbows as well as my Kodiak

[Josh H]

I black out each time

Black shirt- a glove on my bow hand- black face paint- stocking  hat if cold

In my experience, it really makes a difference to try to match interior of the blind.

I keep one window open- rest closed

It is wild to be that close to the deer and though they are looking, they simply cannot see you l.

Josh

[Cory Mattson]

Long longbows. I haven’t had any problems. Most of my bows are 64” which is shorter than your 66” & any 68”. I have shot a few animals with. 68” bow but that was out of blinds built on site. My Double Bull I do cant my bow slightly which helps. And as stated by a couple a guys it is important to get your back, into the back far corner. This gives you plenty of room to draw and shoot.

I shoot out of my double bull every year in my yard before I go put it in the woods.

Blinds built of natural ingredients On Site i shoot a Judo EVERY time before leaving which gives me confidence I’ll have a clean unobstructed launch.

And the mention of the new larger blinds. I am definitely in on that. I will buy one soon, maybe two.

[Whiteoak63]

I built this blind for my son when he started hunting by himself (crossbow) at 9 years old.
He was allowed to hunt after school if he was done with all his school work.
He killed opening day of the deer season out of it 3 years in a row.
He also killed around 8-10 from hub style blinds before he turned 14.  He always blacked out. Deer would be within feet of him and me when ever I sat with him.
The only time they might see you was those last few minutes of daylight.
We only open one or two windows in the hub blinds.
I have hunted several times out of the hub blinds with my longbow with no issues.
I post this to give a idea how dark you can make one if the inside is black.