Sunday, November 27, 2011

Blind Hunting

G-10 ground blind set up in ruins of 18th century homestead in Big South Fork.

I like most hunter's in the eastern hardwoods use tree stands  which hang high up in  the canopy of straight timber.  But I have also found times when the deer are using areas characterized by thickets and small scraggly brush.  It is these time that I employ my G-10 ground blind which is less than ten pounds and folds up into a small backpack.  This portability and weight translate to a much more mobile and faster Envirocapitalist.  I don't believe you trade much as much visibility in a ground blind as you gain in comfort. Just recently in The Big South Fork National Wild River and Recreation area I shot a doe (which later field dressed out at about 85lbs or 45lbs of table fare) at 36 yards with my Horton Crossbow.  The doe never knew I was in the world and as you can see from the above picture I had not spent a bunch of time brushing up the set, I simply set the blind up within bow range of the deer trail near a scraggly tree to break up its outline.


The Envirocapitalist relaxing in G-10 ground blind wearing camo hat knit by Cousin Jaime

While I still prefer more active types of hunting, blinds are fast becoming my favorite type of stand hunting. It is so much more comfortable than a tree stand and allows you to move more which keeps me attentive longer. I have found it to be just as effective as climbing 15 feet up a tree and while it may have a reputation as for older hunters I am not to proud to hide on the ground. If it was good enough for Daniel Boone it is good enough for me.  I have spent much of this month in the woods and have three deer in the freezer to show for it. Stay tuned those stories to follow.........Your Pal The Envirocapitalist.