Deer hunting blinds have been used by hunters for centuries, dating back to natural materials like piled brush. These blinds have become more popular for hunters in the last couple of decades because they are so versatile and easy to assemble.
Since deer have outstanding eyesight, it’s important for you to be well-hidden, which is what the blind is for. Keep reading to learn all about deer hunting blinds, including why they’re essential for hunters and how you can choose the best one for your needs.
What Are Deer Hunting Blinds?
Deer hunting blinds are basically small cabins or hut-like structures that are generally big enough for one or two people at a time and provide cover for hunters.
These blinds blend in with the area, concealing you from the keen eyesight deer possess, as well as providing protection from the elements. They make it easier for you to keep hidden while hunting without sacrificing your range of motion, so you have plenty of room to aim your weapon.
Types of Deer Hunting Blinds
Typically, most deer hunting blinds fall within two categories: ground blinds and elevated blinds.
Each type of blind has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s essential to do your research to make sure you’re choosing the best blind for your intended hunting style.
Ground Blinds
Ground blinds are deer hunting blinds that are placed directly on the ground. This allows you to take advantage of any strategic location and gives you the best opportunity for a clear shot.
With portable ground blinds, you can easily set up wherever you want, following trails or high-traffic watering areas. For the most part, these ground blinds are easy to set up, but they can sometimes require brushing-in, scent-camouflaging, or opening a window to better conceal you from wild game.
If you don’t want to move your deer hunting blinds around, you have the choice of a more permanent ground blind structure. These blinds are easy to assemble and set up and require very little maintenance. You may need to conceal your ground blind with leaves, brush, or other natural materials found in the woods around you.
Elevated Blinds
Elevated deer hunting blinds, which are sometimes called hunting towers or tower stands, are more permanent structures that are mounted on support platforms. Elevated blinds create a vantage point with increased visibility, safer shooting, and natural concealment.
Since these blinds are mounted on a platform, they are challenging to move. It can be done, but you would need to separate and dismantle the structural support of the hunting blind, which is a time-consuming task.
If you decide to go with an elevated blind, make sure the platform structure is engineered with sturdy materials that are resistant to harsh weather conditions.
Why Deer Hunting Blinds Are Essential
Concealment
One of the biggest reasons hunters use deer hunting blinds is to conceal them from their prey. These blinds will hide most of your movements, making it easier for you to reach for your weapon, line up a shot, and fire without spooking deer in the process.
You can surround your hunting blind with nearby branches, leaves, brush, and other vegetation near your setup, which helps animals get used to the new object quicker. The natural scents and shapes of the vegetation help the blinds blend into the natural surroundings until they become invisible to wildlife around them.
Deer hunting blinds allow you to observe deer up close and personal without alarming them or alerting them to your presence. You’ll be able to line up your shot stealthily from the windows of your blind.
Protection From Elements
You’ll be protected from harsh weather conditions like rain, wind, or extreme temperatures while you’re waiting to spot a deer from your hunting blind. These blinds allow you to stay comfortable enough to focus on observing and waiting for a deer to cross your path for hours, rain or shine.
During winter weather, you can even use a small heater inside your deer blind to help keep you warm. Just make sure you get a heater that is equipped for safe indoor use and follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely.
Safety
Another huge reason deer hunting blinds are essential for hunters is because they minimize the risk of accidental shootings. Since you’re concealed in a hunting blind, the likelihood of you being mistaken for game animals is drastically reduced.
Elevated blinds, like tree stands or tower blinds, are excellent for providing the best line of sight possible, reducing the chances of you shooting at your target from an unsafe angle. Inside your hunting blind, you’ll be concealed and protected in a strategic position where you can observe, stalk, and harvest deer.
Scent Control
A deer hunting blind is fantastic for masking your scent. Sitting in the enclosed area inside your hunting blind will mask your scent from drifting through the breeze in the area you are hunting. Strategically choosing which windows to keep open and which ones to close are big factors in masking your human odor as well.
You’ll still need to be careful to pay attention to the direction the wind is blowing and don’t forget to use scent-elimination products for the best results since deer have a keen sense of smell.
Choosing The Right Deer Hunting Blinds
Now that we’ve discussed different types of blinds, as well as why they’re essential for hunters, let’s talk about how to choose the best deer hunting blinds for the application that you intend to use. Choosing the best hunting blinds comes down to many factors, including the environment, windows, materials, and camouflage.
Consider The Environment
When you’re looking for the best type of deer hunting blind, the first thing you should consider is the environment and location. Choose a blind that suits your needs and preferences.
Ground blinds are versatile and excellent for setting up on different terrains, while elevated blinds are better suited for hunters who prefer an elevated vantage point. Understanding the environment around you will help you figure out which type of blind will best suit the location you’re hunting in.
You should evaluate the area to make sure you’ll have a clear shooting lane, with an unobstructed view on all sides so there is no blind spot to worry about if at all possible. The background is essential in blending in with your surroundings and making sure your blind doesn’t stand out against the natural environment.
Size and Comfort
The size and comfort of your deer hunting blind are essential, especially if you’re planning to hunt with another person or two other people. Your comfort in a hunting blind is crucial since you’ll most likely spend extended periods there waiting patiently for a deer.
As a general rule, the smallest hunting blind you can comfortably hunt out of without feeling cramped is the best because these blinds are easier to conceal and move. You should be able to move enough to ready your weapon when you spot a deer.
For solo hunters, a small blind will suffice, but if you plan to bring along another person or two, you’ll want a hunting blind with extra room so that everyone fits comfortably. You’ll also need to make sure the blind is large enough to accommodate all of your gear and equipment.
Windows
Deer hunting blinds come with various window configurations of different sizes and shapes. Some windows are large, while others are smaller, but they’re necessary to keep your scent in and the elements out of your hunting blind.
You’ll find various types of windows, including mesh windows, which will improve your concealment, hinge-glass for super-quiet opening and closing, as well as aluminum track windows, which are excellent for narrow bow hunting apertures.
Materials/Camouflage
Since you’ll need to blend in with your surroundings, the materials used to engineer the deer hunting blind are crucial. The blind will need to stand up to the elements while remaining inconspicuous of wildlife.
Wood, particularly oak, is the best material for a deer blind because these trees are populous in deer’s natural habitat, so it blends in really well with their environment, effectively camouflaging your hiding spot.
Other materials that are great for hunting blind frames include aluminum and stainless steel since they are corrosion-resistant and extremely strong. These materials are great for permanent setups because the frames hold up to the elements for years.
There are various choices for the material used to construct the sides of your hunting blinds. Polyethylene plastic panels are excellent options because this material is UV-resistant and won’t deteriorate from prolonged exposure to the elements. Brushed polyester is another great material if you prefer a soft-sided hunting blind.
No matter which material you go with when selecting the best deer-hunting blind, just make sure it’s sturdy and comes with camouflage. Camouflage can be painted on the exterior or even woven into the fabric of the side panels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a blind scare deer away?
Deer may be a bit skeptical at first, but they will quickly adapt to the presence of the blind. Within a couple of weeks to a month, deer won’t even pay attention or notice the blind anymore. It’s become part of their natural habitat at that point.
Where should I put a deer hunting blind?
Deer tend to repeat their travel routes, which forms a trail. If possible, place your blinds near trails like this, and your chances of a successful hunt rise significantly. You can also place your blinds near a food source or water source, so streams, rivers, and trails are the best places to put your deer hunting blind.
Wrapping Up Deer Hunting Blinds
Whether you’re looking for ground or elevated blinds, we hope this guide has helped you see why deer hunting blinds are essential for hunters and helped you figure out how to choose the right one.
Are you interested in more tips, tricks, and gear? Check out the hunting section of our page for essential equipment and the best ways to make the most of your hunting experience.
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Born in Madelia, MN, to a now 5-generation Minnesota family, Ryan’s MN roots go deep.
A painter by day, Ryan founded Life in Minnesota in 2013 with his wife Kelly to chronicle their musings on everything Minnesota. Ryan and Kelly are raising their 7 kiddos in Maple Grove, MN.
When he’s not shuttling his kids around to hockey practice, you might find him in the shop working on his leatherwork. Undoubtedly, there will be a family trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area every summer, and of course weekends at Grandpa’s cabin up north in the summer.