by Derrick |
Last Updated: December 29, 2021 Hunting blinds of some form have been used for hundreds of years in deer, coyote, and waterfowl hunting. They are used for some modest protection from the elements and for concealment from animals for hunting purposes.
Table of Contents
Different Types Of Hunting Blinds
Ground Blinds
Ground blinds come in different varieties and you need to be specific with the type of hunting you are doing. Ground blinds for whitetail deer hunting are box shape structures, while ground blinds for waterfowl hunting are low to the ground where the user is prone.
Within the deer hunting ground blinds category, there are different types of blinds.
First are popup blinds that are usually similar looking to a tent or ice fishing shelter, they have nylon material (usually camo) and an aluminum frame. These are fairly portable in nature so they can be moved at the end of the hunt.
The other sub-category of deer hunting ground blinds is stationary blinds that are usually constructed on private land and will not be moved. These can be elaborate and look like a small storage shed or simple as wood boards constructed in a cube shape.
Tower and Tripod Elevated Blinds
Tower and Tripod blinds are getting more and more common, even having full Facebook Groups dedicated to them where people show off pictures and discuss different aspects of building them.
You will find very basic ones, to others that are really elaborate and some that even have wood stoves or propane heaters to keep the occupants warm.
These tower and tripod blinds are designed to sit high up in the air and offer a great view of the surrounding area. The advantage is that these blinds are generally are really comfortable to the occupants and fairly safe compared to the standard ladder tree stand.
These elevated blinds are very popular because they give you an all-around view of your surroundings. You get to see over brush, trees, hillsides, etc. This gives you a much better chance of seeing the game before it sees you.
Duck or Goose Blinds
What are duck and goose blinds? Waterfowl blinds are a specialized type of blind that is used to conceal the hunter from waterfowl while hunting. They are typically made of plywood or other man-made materials, and may be placed on land or in water, and often has a decoy spread out in front of it.
There are many types of duck blinds that overlap with traditional hunting blinds, these include ground blinds that are low profile, camouflaged structures that conceal the hunter from the game.
Canvas or nylon popup blinds are specifically designed for waterfowl hunting, which is fairly portable and easy to move.
Lastly, are pond or floating blinds that are tethered to the bank or an anchor to keep it in place.
Tree Stand Blinds
Tree stands are not full blinds in the strict sense but they are another way to conceal yourself somewhat and allow you to get yourself off the ground and above the deer, making it harder for them to see or smell you.
Commercial tree stands generally come in two different styles, ladder stands that look like what the name indicates, they have a built-in ladder that allows you to climb into the sitting position and climber stands that are mechanical in nature allowing you to climb your way up into a tree to reach your desired height.
Both work great and are a personal preference for which one will generally be used.
DIY Hunting Blinds
Outside of the hunting blinds that we discussed which for the most part are all commercial in nature, there are many different styles of DIY hunting blinds that people have been creating for years on private hunting properties.
DIY blinds can be very elaborate or fairly simple, you will see everything from ones that cost thousands of dollars to ones that are made from free scavenged materials.
There are even hobbyists that enjoy building out different fancy blind configurations more so than actually using them to do hunting!
How Do Hunting Blinds work?
Concealment
Hunting blinds are used for concealment while hunting game, they are a great option to help keep animals from spotting you and allow the game to wander in closer than they would if you were sitting out in the open with less concealment.
Noise Reduction
Sitting in a single spot for hours at a time can cause a hunter to get antsy and you would be surprised with how many slight movements a hunter will make and this movement will create noise that animals’ keen sense of hearing will alert them to a hunter’s presence.
Improving Lines Of Sight
Blinds also allow hunters to see what is happening around them without attracting attention themselves.
Shelter From Weather
Outside of just the benefits blinds provide for concealment, noise reduction, and improving the lines of sight blinds also provide great shelter from the weather.
Blinds were originally used as shelters for hunters. Today, we use them to protect ourselves from the elements and to provide privacy. We also use them while watching television. In fact, some people even sleep inside them (where legal to do so)!
What Are The Benefits Of Using Hunting Blinds?
- Concealment
- Sound Reduction
- Comfort
- Adaptability
Main Hunting Blind Qualities To Consider
Comfort is one of the most important things to consider when picking out or building your hunting blind.
In order for you to feel most comfortable while still being able to keep an eye out for game traveling around you, you’ll need to find something that works well for both purposes. A blind that focuses too much of the comfort side of things may lack some practical items and really not serve the main purpose of a blind (helping you secure game).
Hunting blinds come in many sizes. Size matters when it comes to hunting blinds. For example, you’ll want a bigger blind if you’re hunting with more than one person. Plan for a little extra room than just the human occupants because you will need room for your rifle or bow and some extra gear like a backpack and other support items.
Construction including windows plays an important role in deer hunting blinds. You’ll need taller windows if you’re using a rifle or a bow. The type of hinges and if the blind use any type of window glass is also something to consider (for permanent blinds), or for pop-up blinds ease of setup and breakdown really is the main consideration.
Properly camouflaging your hunting blind is important, it will be set up in the woods or a field, and needs to properly blend in with the environment. Otherwise, it will just appear to be a large, out-of-place blob in the field or woods, that will enable animals to instantly recognize the blind as something that naturally isn’t part of the landscape.
Fortunately, most hunting blinds come in a variety of camo designs.
When purchasing a blind, choose one that has a camouflage design that will go unnoticed in the area you’ll be hunting most. However, to fool a deer, this may not be enough. Always conceal your blind in an inconspicuous location yet close enough to where you anticipate game will appear so that you can get a clear shot. Then use sticks and brush to help further conceal the blind.
Durability and weather resistance plays a big factor in the longevity of your hunting blind, whether it is a DIY blind made out of lumber or a pop-up portable blind you will want to make sure the blind is durable and can withstand the harsh weather conditions of the outdoors.
Many hunters build their own blinds because they want to be sure the blind fits perfectly in their hunting location, you do not want to go through all that work and find out your blind is not durable enough for where you are hunting. What’s the point of building a sturdy wooden blind only to have it ruined in a season or two.
Final Thoughts
In summary, no matter what type of hunting blind you buy you should make sure it is easy to set up, durable, made with quality materials. Always make sure your blind fits in the surroundings of where you will be hunting most. With all these things in mind when purchasing or building a deer hunting blind you’ll enjoy having one around for years to come!
