Hunting from Blinds and Stands

Tower blind Fancy deer blind cedar deer blind

In Texas, it is very common to hunt from some sort of blind. Blinds visually hide the hunter. Some blinds can muffle sounds and reduce a hunter’s scent to game. You still need to be quiet in blinds and limit unnecessary movement so game is not alerted to your presence. When hunting in less familiar areas, sitting in a blind helps prevent you from getting lost. They also can provide a shooting rest for the hunter’s firearm. Another advantage of hunting from a blind is the time you can spend watching the habitat and animal activity around you. Be especially careful climbing up to a tree stand or elevated blind. Far too many accidents happen from falls or improper handling of firearms.


 

Elevated Blinds

Elevated blind Old blind and feeder

Elevated blinds come in a variety of styles and configurations. Some are prefabricated, others are home made. Many times they are paired with a feeder. Prior to the hunt, the condition of the blind should be checked. Special attention should be paid to the floor and ladder or steps and any necessary repairs should be made. Hunters will also need a chair or stool to sit upon. Beware of a squeaky seat. Many times a layer of carpet on the floor will help muffle noise.


 

Ground Blinds

 Inside ground blind Board blind

Ground blinds can be prefabricated, homemade, or constructed from available brush and wood in the vicinity.


 

Pop-up Blinds

Pop up blind

Pop-up blinds are portable blinds made of fabric, usually with collapsible poles that provide structural support. They do not provide a rest for shooting.



Tree stands

Hunter in tree stand Hunter using haul line to up bow to tree stand 

Tree stands are structures that attach to a tree, usually comprised of a ladder and a seat. A safety harness should always be used to climb up (and down from) the stand and also worn the entire time the hunter is in the stand. Unloaded firearms or bows should not be carried when climbing but rather raised or lowered by an appropriate haul line.



Blind Placement

Blind

Always get the landowner’s permission before building or setting up a blind or stand. Be sure the landowner gives approval of the blind’s location. Placing a blind or a feeder too close to a property line can be dangerous, unethical and very discourteous to neighbors.



High Racks

High rack on truck

Some hunters have stands erected on top of vehicles. These structures can be a very difficult place from which to shoot since any movement by the hunter or other passengers will be transmitted through the vehicle’s suspension and amplified at the top of the stand. This type of elevated stand must be sitting still for a responsible shot.



Duck Blinds

Ducks flying overhead have unobstructed views of hunters on the ground so many hunters utilize blinds to conceal their presence. Duck blinds come in a variety of styles and usually hunters will add nearby or similar vegetation to blend in more effectively with the habitat.

Box Blinds

Duck hunter shooting from a duck blind Box blind Hunter shooting from inside box blind

Box blinds are above the ground and some have platforms for retrievers. They usually have built in seats for hunters who can stand or sit to take a shot.



Pit Blinds

Hunters inside pit blind

Pit blinds are sunken into the ground lowering the profile of the hunter’s position. Vegetation is added around the sides to better conceal the blind and give the hunters a screen to hide behind.



Temporary Blinds

Temporary blind

Temporary blinds are screens attached to poles that can be arranged to form a blind. Lacing the screen with vegetation adds to the camouflage.



Layout Blinds

Layout blind Hunter shooting from layout blind Hunters face exposed in layout blind

Layout blinds are portable blinds that hunters can easily deploy and position to their best advantage. They are designed for a single hunter who lays down in it to conceal themselves. Flaps on top open to allow the hunter sit up to take a shot.



Floating Blinds

Floating blind Hunters inside floating blind

Floating blinds are very popular in some states and usually are a box blind on pontoons. They allow hunters to deploy in deeper waters, and must be tied or anchored.



Available Cover

Available duck cover Hunters view from inside tall grass cover duck hunters in timber camo with dog

If a blind is not available duck hunters will make use of available cover to conceal themselves.