Author Topic: Turkey from a ground blind (Read 607 times)

billmaly · « **on:** January 28, 2005, 06:49:04 PM »

I'm considering getting a ground blind for turkey and possibly deer. I've hunted from a blind once before (friends blind), and found it to be a positive experience. Was able to move around more (muscles not tightening and cramping from HAVING to keep still sitting on the ground), and just more comfortable overall. I was not successful (saw turkey, but could not call them in). However, I also got to see deer forage, raccoons prowl around, and just really enjoyed my time out in the woods by being able to move around and watch all around me quickly and easily.

I could borrow the friends blind, but don't want to impose too much, and having my own would open me up to more possibilities. I might also use the blind for deer season.

Anyone have any advice on blind pros/cons, things to look out for before I buy? Any reasons to NOT buy a blind entirely?

turkeyhunter · « **Reply #1 on:** January 29, 2005, 03:16:37 AM »

I guess it all depends on your hunting style. I have hunted out of ground blinds before but generally those were homemade. My father-in-law built an awsome blind last year for turkey out of corn stalks. Man it was cool, but it couldn't be moved. Having a ground blind does conceal your movement but generally I have found that turkeys are smart and any unusual movement (such as the wind blowing the fabric on a ground blind) will send them running. My preference is to use one of the half umbrellas that you can get at Wal-Mart. It is designed to wrap around a tree for deer hunting or you can set it up and put the flat part on the ground. I usually set up against a tree and put that in front of me with branches and such around it. Most of the time though I just pick a good tree to get against with lots of brush around it. Works every time.

Hope I have helped. I guess my suggestion to you is go ahead and get the blind. I think you will find it more useful for deer hunting but you may like it just fine for turkey. It won't go to waste, just be flexible enough to know when not to use it.

Good luck going after tom!

varmit_master · « **Reply #2 on:** January 30, 2005, 05:32:55 PM »

Hi my dad and brother both used the blinds this pass deer season and had good luck with them and they had turkeys come right up to them and feed around them and my brother had a bobcat walk within 18 steps of his blind and he shot it i got me one at home in the box for this spring hunting VM

DaveH · « **Reply #3 on:** February 06, 2005, 03:48:34 AM »

My kids got me a two person outhouse for chrismas this year, I haven't tried it out yet, but I'm going to use it for Turkey season this spring. Like said earier in this thread I also use one of the small pop up blinds I think I got it from Wally's world for like $19. Its small but if provides you with cover.

TomD · « **Reply #4 on:** March 22, 2005, 12:49:15 PM »

I just got back from our local Dick's store. I bought a second pop-up ground blind because I've had so much luck with my first one. For both Deer & Turkey. They had the 'DogHouse' on sale for $69 & I had a $10 coupon...worth every cent!!

Reasons that I like them: hides more of my inadvertant movements & sounds, helps control my scent for deer & predators, keeps me out of the weather, can't fall out of it ;-), my young daughter can sit with me & not mess things up, very easy to move them around the property.

Possum · « **Reply #5 on:** March 27, 2005, 02:09:22 PM »

They are awesome for turkeys when there is not cover around. I set up on a ditchbank that had one pine tree on it in the middle of a huge field last year. Called three longbeards in. There was no cover so I pitched it near the base of the pine tree. Turkeys don't seem to mind a blind, but deer will need to have it slightly concealed. They are more curious than turkeys.

By the way, those of you with children will greatly appreciate a blind. The kids can play games or color or read while they are waiting. A perfect way to keep them occupied while hunting.

daddywpb · « **Reply #6 on:** April 01, 2005, 11:13:08 PM »

Just got one of the Cabelas Lightning Set blinds, and it is awesome. Will be going turkey hunting with it tomarrow morning. Just a pull on the handle inside and it pops up like an umbrella. No poles, no straps - quick, quiet and roomy for two.

JPSaxMan · « **Reply #7 on:** April 02, 2005, 11:45:24 AM »

daddywpb,

You guys can go huntin on Sundays? That bites :evil:

. We have to wait another 28 days before we can even think of hunting turkeys :shock: . Good luck tomorrow!

daddywpb · « **Reply #8 on:** April 02, 2005, 12:07:33 PM »

Fishman029,

For some reason, the turkey season in the WMA closest to us is open for hunting on Saturday and Sunday only this year. Nobody I've talked to seems to know why. The hunting pressure in that area is pretty intense for the first part of the season, and I'm sure it's for the turkey's benefit which is fine with me. I can't go during the week anyway, I was just curious about the reasoning behind the new regs. The season is also a weekend longer than last year. :shock: Go figure. We had a cold front move over our area today, and the temp is supposed to dip into the low 70's tomarrow. Brrrrrr! It's been in the high 80's, so maybe that'll stir up the birds. Anyway, my daughter and I will be out tomarrow morning. Time changes tonight too, so we'll have to leave an hour earlier - aaaaahhhhh! :grin: