Chapter 6: Methods of Bowhunting
Ground Blinds
One of the most popular methods of bowhunting is using ground blinds. They
can be as simple as a natural blind built behind a tree, bush, log, or rock
or as sophisticated as a portable, enclosed camouflage-cloth blind.
 Blinds usually are located close to game food sources, game trails,
or watering holes.- Ground blinds should always be located downwind or crosswind of the spot
where you expect to see your quarry because your scent will be carried at
ground level and downwind of your blind.
- Blinds can be fashioned out of native vegetation or rigged from a
roll of camouflage cloth or netting, which stores easily in a pack.
- Always clear away all ground cover on your blind's floor to prevent
noise from your foot movements, but remember to replace the ground
cover before you leave the site.
- A small portable stool or plastic bucket makes the wait more comfortable.
- When hunting from a ground blind, it is especially important to use camouflage
face "makeup" or camouflage head nets and gloves.
Advantages
- Can be set up ahead of time along trails or set up quickly at advantageous
spots during a hunt.
- Provide effective camouflage or may conceal the bowhunter totally, allowing
more time to prepare for the shot.
- Can purchase commercially manufactured ground blinds, which are readily available.
Disadvantages
- Make human scent and movement at ground level easier for game to detect.
- Offer limited visibility and shooting lanes.
If you don’t want to be seen, be still. Wildlife
reacts more to movement than shape.
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