I already have 9 box blinds out on our property, with 2 more to go up, good for gun hunting as they are 10'-18' high.
The platform I build will portable by the forks on my tractor. I am looking for mobility of the platform, without the weight of a box bland. Want to be able to move into areas where my gun blinds are not suitable for bow hunting. Take the blind off, move the platform, and re-set-up the blind.
I know where the movement from bedding to food source is, just want to be able to tweak ... many of these areas do not have good trees for hand on or ladder stands ... at least not within the 50 yards I want to be.
I am look for feedback on experiences with using a ground blind for bow hunting. I will probably mount the blind on a 6'-8' platform so I can be a bit elevated and see over the screening cover surrounding the food plot. This will be up close to the deer so concealment is important. Would leave this up most of the season from Sept to Nov.
- What brands have good sturdy support?
- Screening materials for the windows?
- Can you shoot an arrow through without deflections?
- Can you shoot from a chair or only standing?
Appreciate any input on good brands you have had success with.
Elevation is more important for a low exit wound than it is even for concealment and visibility. The biggest issues I had when I started bowhunting from ground blinds was the lack of blood trails. Even a well placed shot that hits both lungs with a large diameter broadhead produces little blood to follow. A high exit wound allows the blood to fill up the chest cavity rather than dripping out as the deer runs. You often get a spray of blood followed by no blood for quite a way and perhaps another spray point or two along the trial. If you are persistent, there is a lot of losing and eventually reestablishing the trail. A shot that is less than ideal is much tougher.
I have not found an elevated commercial blind that is effective than those I build for the same price. I elevate mine so the floor is 8' to 12' or so off the ground depending on the terrain and vegetation. If I'm shooting a compound I shoot standing and window height becomes more important. For a crossbow, sitting is fine. I like windows that push out because they shade. The biggest concealment issue is being backlighted. I like to situate blinds so that I have a windowless corner to sit in. This thread shows one I built for me:
http://www.habitat-talk.com/index.php?threads/foodplot-stand-transfered-from-the-qdma-forum.5529/ This one is 6x6 and higher than most because of the location. It is the only one I've built for myself. Most I build 6x8 which allows me to comfortably take a youngster.
I shoot expandables and prefer not to shoot through a screen. With the elevation and push out windows, the shading is such that I can sit in the blind undetected and only move when the animal is close to shooting position, calm and distracted from me.
Many blinds intended for vertical bows have narrow vertical windows. Since I build mine for multiple weapons (compound, crossbow, muzzloader, rifle, and even shotgun for turkey), I prefer horizontal windows. With this approach, I need to get the windows at just the right height so I can stand, keep good form, not hit the pop-out window, and make a shot inside 25 yards. I make my pop-out windows adjustable so I can open them wider for vertical bowhunting and only as much as needed for a crossbow or firearm.
I'm a fairly big guy. I want a minimum of 6x6 for one person if I'm using a bow.
Thanks,
Jack