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Post by 44fanatic on Aug 5, 2012 10:23:16 GMT -5
Last year near the end of archery season, I began to realize that getting in and out of my climbing tree stand was becoming more of a chore than my old bones (and bad ticker) were happy with.
Around the same time my wife decided that she might like to tag along on a hunt or two.
I bought a Field and Stream pop up hub blind at Dick's for $99.00.
The first few times I set it up, I thought it looked like a space ship had landed in the woods. I thought it would detour every deer in the county away from me.
Man was I wrong! I set it with a deadfall behind it and placed some dead branches in front and deer walked by it the same day without even giving it a second look!
I used it two times in different locations and both times, deer walked up on me the same day it was set up. I even had a pair of crows land in front, fly up on the roof and try to peck their way inside. Maybe they thought it was a giant trash bag.
I'm totally sold on this thing and will be trying to find a new home for that Summit climber I only used a couple of times.
Anyone else have any experience with hub blinds?
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Post by Richard on Aug 5, 2012 19:36:12 GMT -5
Sounds nice! My only thought with ground blinds is they limit your view? Unless you have it situated on the top of hedge row overlooking a nice field?
Richard
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Post by edwardamason on Aug 6, 2012 12:07:04 GMT -5
Sounds nice! My only thought with ground blinds is they limit your view? Richard It depends on how you set them up. Ive been full circle on the type of hunting I do. I went from Ground Hunting to stalking then to tree stand hunting. Now days you will probably find me in a mix of all the above depending on my mood and the hunting situation. What I have found over the years is that tree stand hunting in generally more comfortable and generally more productive if set up properly. As far as ground blinds go I have tried some of the pop ups. I have not found one yet that suits my needs. I have two different approaches to setting up a ground blind. Fixed and portable. If I find a high traffic area I generally will set up a fixed blind that stays up all season long. Sometimes made of natural elements and sometimes burlap bags stretched out or a mixture of both. I have used hay and straw bails and found I am almost invisible in those. Deer seem to be oblivious to them. I have had times in them if I had a bayonet I could reach out and spike them. As to portable blinds I generally carry a couple of long pieces of burlap and para cord with me to set them up in prime locations. Can be put up quickly and quietly. They are light in weight, don't take up a lot of room. Make little to no noise and can be very versatile in the way you can set them up. Depending on the terrain I generally try and set my blinds up overlooking a open field or from a high point of elevation if hunting hard woods. |
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Post by ET on Aug 7, 2012 19:49:17 GMT -5
44fanatic
I too am at an age where physical climbing is becoming questionable as a wise move.
My only experience is with semi dug fixed ground blinds made from natural surroundings. Easy access, easy to put a waterproof roof on it and seems to contain scent where deer have come within less than 10ft not knowing I’m there. Of course it needs to be in an area of deer traffic whether it’s a travel route or escape route. Out of 7-controlled 1-week hunts I have managed at least 1-deer every year except one.
One of the boys in another group also swears by the pop-up blind and gets his deer every year. His favorite tactic is using a wicker container I believe is called a “Pee Willy Wick” with doe in heat scent positioned out front along with using a doe in heat call. He does get some nice bucks.
As for stalking I seem to push deer to other hunters in the area. So for me now it’s just a sit back and wait in comfort calling out once in a while. Then it’s tag, drag and freezer bag time.
Ed
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Post by youp50 on Aug 9, 2012 6:42:53 GMT -5
I have one hub and three spring steel pop ups.
They all see use every season. I like the hub best for the rigid frame. The major drawback is it has to be laid down nightly or the snow will bust it. The spring supported ones just lay down on their own. My current hub blind is several years old and uses reinforced plastic tubing for the hub hinges. The newer metal hubs are better.
A blind, chair and heater and life is good. Especially on rain/snow days.
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Post by muzzleman 54 on Aug 9, 2012 12:46:03 GMT -5
I have been useing my hub blind since 2005. first time out with my son I shot a 9 point buck that walked up about 75 yards from us and did not know we were there.
I set it up in the corner of a stone wall along a trail. I used a latter for years, but it got to cold sitting there for hours. got myself a heater buddy, now i can stay there till dark. I do get out and still hunt . but I have a place to go when it gets nasty out. been hunting since 1968 , so the blind is much better for me now. lou.
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Post by muzzleman 54 on Aug 9, 2012 12:49:50 GMT -5
forgot to tell you I shot the buck with my 50. cal. savage smokeless. I now use it during rifle season for everything. put my 30-06 in the closet. lou.
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Post by gunny on Aug 10, 2012 10:57:42 GMT -5
I use ladder stands, raised box blinds , hang on stands , Loggy Bayou climber , Sumit climber,Primos 360 Vision , Brickhouse hub, Lucky,s Tent blind . I think i might have a few dollars tied up in staying concealed. ;D
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Post by muzzleman 54 on Aug 10, 2012 18:16:27 GMT -5
sounds like some nice equipment. I have 2 ladder stands but dont use them much anymore now that my wrists are bad. hurts to climb. wish i was 20 again. lou
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Post by Al on Aug 11, 2012 3:09:03 GMT -5
I use ladder stands, raised box blinds , hang on stands , Loggy Bayou climber , Sumit climber,Primos 360 Vision , Brickhouse hub, Lucky,s Tent blind . I think i might have a few dollars tied up in staying concealed. ;D Lucky's Tent's is 10 miles from me. Not the cheapest, but they are nice. |
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