[lastchance54]

Does hunting from a blind reduce your chances for success greatly? I have a nephew that's very fidgety and I figure putting us in a blind might be the way to go. I've never hunted from one.
Thanks for your opinions.

 

[mauser06]

Many birds are killed from blinds every season....


Personally I don't use them....but they seem to work...if I had a situation such as hunting with a kid I'd try it...

Can be much easier for a kid to stay in the woods when they can move a little bit and be comfortable...

 

[Birch812]

I always hunt turkeys from a pop up blind. They set up easy, are easy to carry in and out and helped keep me dry with the weather we have been having this season.
This is the same blind I use to hunt geese and it never seems to spook the animals, in fact I almost got run over by deer several times sitting in one.
It blends in well with the wood line of the open field I hunt spring and fall turkey from.
Its comfortable not being exposed to wind or rain and movement isn't an issue

 

[cspot]

With turkeys you can pop a blind up and hunt in it immediately and the turkeys will walk right past. That doesn't work well with deer as they know something is different. Turkey though don't pay any attention. They still can see you in there though so sitting still is still important. The blind does help mask movement and will keep you dry.

The downside to blinds is that they are bulky to carry in and out and if you hear one the next ridge over then you either got to leave it or hoof it with you. If you are looking at staying put for the day then they are great.

 

[xarcher]

All good advice. Great for kids. Take a book or hand held video to keep them occupied. If you know of an area where gobblers frequent or is close to a roosting site, set it up the night before to avoid making a racquet in the morning. Throw in a couple folding chairs, sit back and enjoy the morning. Some blinds have shoulder straps sewn into the bag. Throw it on your back and you are still hands free to carry a decoy, gun, whatever.

 

[Everyday Hunter]

Many birds are killed from blinds every season....

Personally I don't use them....but they seem to work...if I had a situation such as hunting with a kid I'd try it...

Can be much easier for a kid to stay in the woods when they can move a little bit and be comfortable...

^^^^ THIS ^^^^

I have never shot at a turkey out of a blind. I feel, for me, they're too limiting. And I've never found it necessary to use one. The only exception is when I've had a kid out.

Steve.

 

[good ole boy]

Cspot was dead on.You can set it up and leave it w/out packin it in and out if you are on private land with little or no pressure.I haven,t used one in a long time but have one at my disposal and they are a great tool in the arsenal.Just make sure you keep the windows closed except for a sliver to look out and to poke the barrel out of cause they will catch movement inside if you shadow yourself between open windows.You don,t need camo but wear dark clothes.

 

[TrashPanda]

My dad has gotten a spring bird the last two years out of a blind. He is mobility impaired and can't walk around, so we have no choice but to just sit. He also can't get down on the ground, so I have a chair inside for him to sit on.
It is set up on private ground where nobody will bother it and we leave it up from about two weeks before the season until we are done. You have to be very patient if you are going to choose to hunt that way and it can be difficult to have to call turkeys in to one particular spot.

But still, on wet and rainy days like today, sitting in that blind - dry - was very nice.

 

[mattg1500]

I have 2 4yr olds I take hunting with me and I set my 2 man blind up on private land and last year we took a bird with a bow, this year we went without it and got a big goose egg. lol. do your best to use a blind with a pattern that matches your surroundings and you should do just fine. Good luck

 

[BOOTOXEN]

Have one and shot them from it but I don't use it anymore. The best part about turkey hunting for me is getting them super close and having that "open" experience.
If your taking newbies or kids, a great way to go.

 

[Blue Bird]

Back when my kids started hunting, blinds weren't legal to use like they are now. Regardless, I never had any issues with them being too fidgety and spooking a bird, etc. I personally won't ever use one as I like using my camo clothing to help conceal me, plus I would find a blind too limited in field of vision. About the only thing I could think of that would make a blind useful is on a rainy crappy day, it would make for a much more comfortable hunt than sitting out and getting soaked.

 

[bowhntnonly]

It's how I have been hunting them as I am trying to get one with archery gear. Unfortunately it is limiting in my opinion as your trying to call a bird into a certain spot. It can be a pain to try and move to get in position on a bird. Especially taking the blind , your weapon then throw in a chair or decoys. Next year I will probably be after them in a different way.

 

[dce]

Learning where and how to set up are the two most important things in turkey hunting.Learning when to move and how to move are just as important.Letting a kid blow some opportunities is how they learn.Using a blind is an effective way to teach a kid how to kill a turkey but an ineffective way to teach them how to hunt turkeys.I'm sure that opinion will invoke some hatred but it's the way I feel.Furthermore,if you have to bring a game to keep them occupied,you're doing something wrong.

 

[fall gobbler]

Learning where and how to set up are the two most important things in turkey hunting.Learning when to move and how to move are just as important.Letting a kid blow some opportunities is how they learn.Using a blind is an effective way to teach a kid how to kill a turkey but an ineffective way to teach them how to hunt turkeys.I'm sure that opinion will invoke some hatred but it's the way I feel.Furthermore,if you have to bring a game to keep them occupied,you're doing something wrong.

I think you are dead on on every point.

 

[good ole boy]

I think a lot depends on their age.You can,t compare a mid to later teen to a pre teen.

 

[R. S. B.]

I have never used a blind for hunting turkey and probably will not use one as long as I am able to ride a bike or walk to find a turkey wanting to play the game. Sitting and waiting for a bird who isn't gobbling isn't my type of hunting though I might one day be so old or immobile I have to hunt that way.

But, I have spent many, many hours sitting in a blind while trapping turkeys for research. Turkeys usually aren't even the slightest bit concerned about a blind being in their comfort zone. I have had whole flocks of over a hundred turkeys walking past the blind within just a few yards, on both sides, to get to the trap site. They are just as unconcerned with a vehicle being used as a blind. Talking in the blind doesn't even mean anything to them. In fact it is like the human voice either doesn't mean anything to them or they don't hear it. I have talked to many turkeys that just completely ignored it as if they didn't even hear it. It is one of those mysteries of nature I have never been able to figure out, as to why some turkeys, in fact it seems most turkeys, don't react to the human voice.

Dick Bodenhorn

 

[dpms]

I hunt out of blinds a lot since I primarily hunt with crossbows.

When turkeys are in close, they increase your chance for success. But, they are a pain to carry in and run and gun with so most opt to set up in a good spot and wait it out. That reduces your chances of working a fired up bird located by running and gunning.

IMO, when all is considered it is a wash. 50/50.

I can be sitting in a blind some mornings and hearing gobbling off in the distance. I know that if I left the blind I would have a better chance of killing them then sitting where I am at. You just have to trust your set up and wait em out. Patience is key with blind hunting.

 

[Turkeyman]

I concur with R.S.B. regarding blind usage. I like to rely upon my turkey hunting skills rather than Double Bull and DSD or such. I very well may have to resort to one if/when I can't do it the way I do, so I don't denounce anyone for using them. And, yes, I see the advantage when using a bow/crossbow or where fidgety kids are involved. But I just find it a total blast to raise/hear one and off I go! If I were in a blind and heard a bird several hundred yards away I'd abandon it in a flash! My greatest thrill and enjoyment from turkey hunting is everything that precedes the gun going off. I want to fool that turkey...it's enough that I rely upon proper camo, calling and turkey woodsmanship.

 

[DoubleGobble]

I agree with you. My father in law has a blind and is immobile. Haven't used it in years for turkey hunting. I like to move. Set up location makes or breaks the hunt. And that can change frequently and quickly. I personally would never use a blind or decoys when hunting alone. I have used decoys in the past but only when I'm taking someone else.
Even with an immobile hunter I would like to have the opportunity to move him even if it's 50 yards. I have no objection to hunters who use blinds. My preference is to have the opportunity to move and use the terrain, foliage, camouflage and living and down trees to determine the best place to get one in shotgun range.

 

[Fullfan]

I think that blinds have their place for kids and older hunters. We have not and will not use them. Just no need for them, we are always on the move. But I do think there are way to many ppl out there who put out a decoy spread and sit and wait for the gobbler. Not my kind of hunting.