Working on a blind for first hunt in years.

It's been quite a few years since I've done any kind of hunting. Job and other hobbies took all the time for it. Things have changed now, and I've a lot more freedom and free time. This year I decided its time to get back in the woods for a more grounded hunt. No high powered rifles or fancy deerstands this go-round. Just a flintlock and a shooting bag. In this flatland it's kind of hard to do any stalking, so I went with a ground blind.

A downed Osage Orange was the starting point. I brought in a couple of dead snags with the skid steer and positioned them to make a V on the ground with the Osage. I stacked up a few more limbs, and I think it's a pretty good looking start. Now if I can just keep the cattle from destroying it. .

It's in the SW corner of some timber that's inside a 35ac pasture. Best of both worlds, and two different kinds of shots. So excited to try it out this season, I just had to share.... +10 points if you can spot the furball.


Facing West:


Facing South:


Facing East:

Looks like a great spot to sit for a while. Anymore I don't even care that much if I get anything or not, it's just about being out there that matters most. Good luck from that blind, oh and that furball has some perfect camouflage going on in that blind, it took me a while! It always makes me smile to see a dog out and about having a good old time like a dog should.

What's the prevailing wind direction during deer season?
That should be the first consideration before starting on the blind. Also, Any shot to the west is going to be quite a reach for your rock lock.
South or east should be the best chance. Around this area (Fla., Ala., Ga.,) a SE wind means rain and warmer temps. Prevailing winter wind direction here is NE.

Good luck on your upcoming hunts.

Black dog left of your machine.

It did take a bit to find the pup. He’s got a grey spot on his head that matches the lichens on the trees. It does look like a nice place to sit for a spell. Good Luck!!!

RM

A 16' ladder stand makes a good place for an old guy to sleep . The wind is no issue w/ladder stand. Pesky deer tend to wake a fellow up , too. Put some hot lead on 'em , and then ya can have meat loaf sandwiches , next time ya all come out..........Planning is everything , in a deer blind. Coffee , candy , doughnuts , it's all good. Skid steer would make dragging a deer easy , and skinning easier.

Patocazador said:

What's the prevailing wind direction during deer season?
That should be the first consideration before starting on the blind. Also, Any shot to the west is going to be quite a reach for your rock lock.
South or east should be the best chance. Around this area (Fla., Ala., Ga.,) a SE wind means rain and warmer temps. Prevailing winter wind direction here is NE.

Good luck on your upcoming hunts.

Black dog left of your machine.

Click to expand...

Pato, no real steady direction of the wind. It can be out of the North just as much as the South. It takes a front to bring in a hard North wind. The blind has a clear 360° thanks to the cattle keeping any underbrush and the lower leaves clipped clean.

I'm going to place a few small markers (painted rocks) out at 50 yards (blue) and at 100 yards (yellow) in a couple of places to give me a range reference. I don't plan on taking any shots past 75 yards.

Nice looking spot. One of those folding camp chairs up against that big ole tree and you'll be good.
The November deer woods, my favorite place to be.

The rising cost of Beef is bringing more guns back to the woods. Ground blinds can be very
effective if the windage is right and you can stay still for an extended time. Tree stands are
usually better because deer focus more on the ground (for snakes, food and obstacles).
Again the firing lane needs to be adjusted for wind. Carry an airtight jar on string for pee.
Do not talk and do not move but extremely slow slow motion if you have to.

William Lincoln said:

The rising cost of Beef is bringing more guns back to the woods.

Click to expand...

The rising cost of what? I think its the rising cost of everything that is pushing me out there

Buy yourself a 48" X 25' piece of mosquito Camo netting in a color appropriate to your woods surrounding
Have a friend sew on pockets running the width of the material that will accept a 1/2" or 5/8" dowl rod stained brown
Sew the pockets starting on one end of the material and place a pocket every 6'
Sharpen one end of dowel rod and slip a blunt ended dowel rod into each pocket
You now have a 6X6 see out blind ..360 degree visibility ..weighing 3 pounds ...use anywhere..camp stool height you will be "mostly" oobscure ..very top of head might show so move slowly as you search
Use Camo clothes , face mask and gloves like turkey hunting
Effective? ...last season with the wind in my face ..I had a 6 point come from right to left passing the blind in front by 15' and he bedded down 30 ' to my left
Look thru the netting not over .. to shoot ..just start the muzzle s l o w l y over the top of the netting timing the move when the deer is looking away

Enjoy
Bear

Brokenbear said:

Buy yourself a 48" X 25' piece of mosquito Camo netting in a color appropriate to your woods surrounding
Have a friend sew on pockets running the width of the material that will accept a 1/2" or 5/8" dowl rod stained brown
Sew the pockets starting on one end of the material and place a pocket every 6'
Sharpen one end of dowel rod and slip a blunt ended dowel rod into each pocket
You now have a 6X6 see out blind ..360 degree visibility ..weighing 3 pounds ...use anywhere..camp stool height you will be "mostly" oobscure ..very top of head might show so move slowly as you search
Use Camo clothes , face mask and gloves like turkey hunting
Effective? ...last season with the wind in my face ..I had a 6 point come from right to left passing the blind in front by 15' and he bedded down 30 ' to my left
Look thru the netting not over .. to shoot ..just start the muzzle s l o w l y over the top of the netting timing the move when the deer is looking away

Enjoy
Bear

Click to expand...

Genious

This was my first blind last season on opening morning at the edge of an open, harvested soybean field. Wasn't much in the way of concealment, but sitting still is the main thing. It allowed me to sit back from the edge of the field a couple feet. A meat buck was dropped within 10 minutes of legal light. The shooting stick has shot BP before, so the less uptight of our group should be able to view this without any heart ailments. LOL



This was the 'blind' I dropped a big doe from with the 54 Lyman GPR in Muzzleloader Season. Looking past this Walnut tree to the outcrop of small trees on the right, about 125 yards behind this tree is the hide I employed the evening sit before. When I saw where the group was coming out of the woods from I set up closer to the action with my back against this pictured tree. It worked like a plan. Again, sitting still with some cover to break up the outline and the wind in the face has been my success for many years. The sun was partially in my favor, as well. I prefer the ground over a tree/ladder stand hands down. A spot and stalk is even better when practical.






I hope you have a fun and successful season.

Looks like you have a good spot to hunt. Good luck this season.