Pros and Cons of Deer Hunting Blinds
Although you can find a variety of reasons why to buy and use deer hunting blinds, there are both pros and cons of hunting from blinds. Here we discuss a variety of the issues you’ll come across when you choose to hunt deer from a blind.
Pros of Deer Hunting Blinds
Concealment is a major factor in the usefulness of hunting blinds. Deer are vigilant prey, always on the lookout for predators, and having a deer hunting blind to hide in makes hunting much easier for the hunter. Even treestands offer less concealment, although if you keep silent enough and your scent doesn’t travel, the tree stand can be more effective than a hunting blind.
Height is not an issue as it is with tree stands. Unless you choose to hunt from an elevated or tower blind, you won’t have to climb a ladder to get into position for your hunt. This is especially helpful if you’re getting older or you’re teaching a young child to hunt.
Age is not an issue. It can be difficult for younger hunters to keep quiet and still. The proper deer hunting blind offers noise reduction, shadow reduction, and concealment so that even young hunters can find success in the field.
Young or old, hunters are safer hunting deer from a hunting blind placed on the ground than from a tree stand. Even an elevated blind is safer than a tree stand if it’s properly set up.
Shooting angles are generally better and less challenging for the hunter from within a hunting blind. Most blinds offer 360° of shooting angles. Treestands that offer that kind of range are rare and awkward.
Many blinds are portable and very light weight. Those that aren’t usually offer excellent concealment as they become a natural part of the environment, as early as a few weeks after placement, as far as the deer are concerned.
Hunting all day is much more bearable in a hunting blind than from a tree stand.
Cons of Deer Hunting Blinds
Scent carries easier from ground level. Hiding in a hunting blind can offer scent protection when the blind comes with some kind of scent shield but not all hunting blinds have that feature. If scent reduction or shielding is important to you, be sure to find a blind that has some kind of scent guard feature.
Ground level or tower hunting blinds are very noticeable and take time for the deer to get used to them being part of their natural environment
Hunting blinds can be very expensive if you purchase a permanent hunting blind, such as from Shadow Hunter or The Blynd. The Shadow Hunter Total View retails at $1,599 (pictured on the right).
Wind flap can be a problem if you use a hunting blind that has fabric walls, such as the Ameristep Outhouse ground blind.
Even a portable ground blind needs to be left in place for a few days to a few weeks to get deer used to its presence in their environment if you want a truly successful hunt. This means you’re at risk of losing your blind to thieves or bad weather.
Summary
So there you have a discussion of the pros and cons of deer blinds. Many hunting situations are unique, but generally speaking, hunting from the concealment of a ground blind is a good option for nearly all hunters. Before you buy a blind, you might want to know how to choose the best hunting blind. Whatever you decide to use to help you hunt effectively, just get out there and take that deer!