I usually leave mine out for the season, every year.....down fall, i have spent many mornings fighting mice for my room back and an occasional bird......there are other great blinds out there but, you can tell just by the hub design, there are none equall to a DB.... not only that but all my other blinds including a couple over $200 you can see daylight thru the stitching in the top and when it rains you are getting dripped on all day long....there is none of those stitching in the top of this blind......

as far as not brushing in, i have had deer look at me in a treestand with blue jeans and a sweatshirt on and as long as i hold still, have never had one spook.... I still wear camo most the time so, for the little extra work, i will always brush in.