Elk/Deer Ground Blind?

[GilpinGuy]

Lots of good points/advice here. Thanks guys.

I do understand the limitations of sight when you're basically in a tent with a few windows. Very legitimate point there.

I am not one who can sit for 10 hours in one place and hardly move muscle (I've done it, but don't like it). Typically, I go out before dawn to a predetermined spot, sit my ass down as the sun comes up and wait for the first 3-4 hours after dawn. Then I walk and sit....walk and sit...until mid afternoon (2-3PM). Some of the guys I hunt with think I'm nuts. "Elk aren't moving around past 10AM or so" and shit like that. I get it, but I'd rather stalk around and try to kick something up than sit around camp bullshitting about how you didn't see shit. I get razzed a little every year, but hey, I got a week to kill something with my muzzleloader so I'm gonna use as much of that time as I can. FWIW, I've seen more elk/deer when walking than when sitting and the only elk (bull) I shot was when walking. But that's not proof of anything, just my experience.

Then I go back out after an hour or two of some chow and rest until dark. Last year, after 5 FULL days of hunting and seeing nothing I blew it on my last day, right before dark. I heard faint rustling behind me. I remained motionless. Same light rustling continued for a while and I figured it was a friggin squirrel as usual. I SLOWLY turn my head and see a cow maybe 10 yards behind me staring right at me with eyes as wide as they can be opened. We stared at each other for a few seconds and she was gone like a shot. Being in a blind might have put her in the freezer last year. Yes, I know, my fatigue and impatience was my fault.

A spot for a cache and weather protection. This is one of the big reasons I'm thinking about this. Get to the blind before dawn. It's usually freaking cold. Sit in there nice and warm near a traffic area and when ready to walk (and it's warmed up a bit), shed a few layers and leave them there with some extra water. And if it starts to storm when walking, make your way back to the blind to wait it out. Maybe go back to the blind for some rest instead of heading back to camp for an hour or two mid-day.

Where we go is about an hour drive from my house, so packing a blind in/out really isn't a big deal. I can bring it in several days before the season, set it up and leave it. The area isn't overrun with hunters so it would "probably" be ok. There's always a risk of leaving anything in the woods. Shit, I had some stuff stolen from a well established camp once, only to have it all returned the next day. If I can find my post about that I'll add a link here. What a weird deal that was. LINK

Cabelas. This is where I'd go to look at them first, if they have some set up. It would certainly be best to actually step inside one and play with it before buying it unless I got a STRONG recommendation for something I couldn't go see first.

Sorry, I didn't mean to turn this into a technique thread about elk hunting, but I am JAZZED to get out in a few weeks, so it's on my mind constantly. I've only been going for elk for 5 (maybe 6?) years so just trying to up my odds as much as possible.

Thanks again!

And man, if this rain and cold keeps up, we could have some excellent early elk hunting this year.

[Shooter45]

I feel the same way in wanting to see them setup before purchasing one. Then you can compare them side by side with what you like. The Cabela's in lone tree has 4 or 5 different brands and styles setup right now. It made it very clear to me some of the features such as windows, shooting ports, and how they are adjusted. One brand had velcro for the windows. Seriously? My favorite was one offered by Cabelas around $159 regular pricing I believe. It had a unique system to me and was silent. It had a slider system to adjust the windows and screens. It had window openings on all 4 sides which I thought was amazing.

I think you're in the right process and I'd strongly recommend going to seeing them in person. Now is the time of year when a lot of companies should have the blinds setup on display with on weeks before bow season opens. Good luck man.