Bowhunting Whitetails From a Ground Blind

You've found the perfect hunting location but there are no trees to be found in the perfect location to set up and ambush the deer you seek, what are you ever going to do now? Enter, the ground blind. Many bowhunters who have pursued the whitetail deer have done so from a tree stand and never climbed down. The advantages to hunting from a stand often outweigh sitting on the ground; however, a well-placed ground blind can be just as, if not, more effective in certain situations. For example, like when there are no trees or if you happen to have a certain phobia of heights.

There are two main differences between bowhunting from a ground blind and from a tree stand. One, from the height of a tree stand your ability to view the surrounding area is greatly improved. You are able to see movement in nearly every direction, with the exception of directly behind you, and will be able to spot encroaching deer much sooner. From a ground blind your vision is limited by the material that the blind is composed of, in addition to the fact you are at ground level and impaired by the obstacles of the location. The second main difference when bowhunting from a ground blind is that you are at eye level with the deer and it is much easier for them to spot even the smallest of your movements.

It should also be remembered that the ground blind should be placed in position many days prior to the expected hunt. Of course, when you set up your ground blind you will camouflage it with foliage from the surrounding area, but it will still be something new for deer to be leery of. With a tree stand, it's in the air and can often be hunted from immediately upon putting into place. Thus, it takes a little more planning to be successful with a ground blind.