Ground Blinds in PA?

firststate · 10-20-2006, 09:04 AM

My buddy had asked me if pop-ip ground blinds were legal in PA? I don't know so I was wondering if anyone on here kn ows. He hasn't bought one yet because he wasn't sure if it were legal. I told him to wait until one of us found out the answer to this question.

He has private land to hunt on if that makes a difference.

PaJack · 10-20-2006, 09:53 AM

Yes, you can use ground blinds...

firststate · 10-20-2006, 10:06 AM

Thanks, I'll pass that message along.

PA_BOW_HUNTER · 10-20-2006, 11:22 AM

I had the same question earlier this year, and aPGCOfficial told methey are legal in PA.

DennyF · 10-20-2006, 06:22 PM

P.36 in the digest.

pahntr760 · 10-20-2006, 08:06 PM

You are correct, partially. Artificial ground blind are allowed use at any time, as long as they meet the PGC guidelines. Blinds made of natural stuff are unlawful in TURKEY seasons only. This is a result, I believe, or a few cases of accidental deaths in turkey season because of mistaken identity. (Grosse Negligence if you ask me). You must still meet the orange requirement, even if you are sitting in a blind. My suggestion is take an extra hat or vest and post it near you location so other hunters know where you are.

aldo88 · 10-20-2006, 08:48 PM

And this is the sad part about our game commsions. The rule are often sometimes confusing.

DennyF · 10-21-2006, 08:52 AM

While some regs are confusing, use of blinds doesn't seem to be one of them. Pilingupnaturally-occuring stuffto make a blind is illegal. Using naturally-formed materials like snags or low-hanging limbs isn't, IF you don't augment them by arranging suchthings to suit your purposes.

Aman-made blindmust be made of listed materials (cotton, nylon, canvasplastic, plywood,etc are man-made materials). Blind mustcompletely enclose the hunter on all four sides and from above to block the detection of movement within the blind. When FO is required at a stationary calling location, at least 100 sq.inches of FO must be displayed outside the blind, within 15' andvisible 360 degrees...go to FO requirements on the same page (36),for a reiteration of the turkeyFO regs.

P. 32: Blinds can be used for big game (see turkey section fo specifics for blinds used while turkey hunting), however the required amount of FO must be worn while in the blind. Although not required, it is suggested that some FO be displayed outside the blind. The turkey requirements are the ones on P. 36.