Foxholes and Pit Blinds and Scent Control
 

I was curious about hunting deer from a foxhole or pitblind on private property. Most articles, etc tend to be focused on tree stands and maybe ground blinds, but with a hole couldn't you potentially both hide yourself effectively from their line of sight AND prevent your scent from disseminating?

Why isn't this more common?:confused:

It is probably because a hole will fill up with water.

Ahhh yes!!!
 

Just like them thae fellas on "Moonshiners" LOL!!!!

Actually
 

I dug out a bunker in the side of a steep hill over looking my swamp, been using it for the last five seasons (Gun Season), wouldn't trade for a treestand, ever!:cool2:

This is the exact set up I am considering.

There is a huge hill overlooking a swamp which is bordered by a thick forest. There also is a funnel running towards a nearby field.

The concerns about water are noted, but I have a friend in construction who is going to help me build a shelter.

Am I correct in thinking that by using a hole it would control your scent effectively by getting your body out of the wind for the most part?

Great minds
 

I was thinking the something hunting a ravine where we have pictures of a really nice buck. The bunker would potentially be a solution to the raised blind that is very uncomfortable. If you do it please post pictures.

I have considered this too, but digging out a bunker in red clay with all kinds of tree roots with hand tools might take a while. Or dynamite. For sure it would work nicely on a steep bank or hill.

Yes!!!
 

I believe that it does contain my scent better than being exposed in a treestand. The bunker doesn't reall "fill up" with water like a hole in the ground does, it drain pretty well. The major concern is cave in, I've built it out with timber with a tarp attached to the top (before installing ceiling timber. Built the face with tarp and timber (decorated" if you will with a monter tree branch dropped in front with a 1X4' shooting slot cut out .

Also what do you do with the "hole in the ground" when you are not in it or it is left unattended. Remember there are other people in the woods when you are not there. Safety first !!!

Fall in?
 

How would one go about falling into my bunker that is built into the side of a hill? As far as falling into a hole, I have to ask again, how would they do that?

Again, this is part of the reason to do a cover or have a shelter built within it. I 100% agree it would be irresponsible just to leave the hole. :patriot:

I discussed with my friend in construction management (he has a graduate degree and a whiz at everything construction related) and he seems to think this wouldn't be that hard. The main issue would just be transporting the materials to the spot. It doesn't have great road access.

I'd like to have a lid for it and a drain at the bottom for any water that should enter. By getting my body out of the wind it would help with scent control and by having it on the side of the hill I still would have a great view of the surrounding area.

OK I might just have been talking about the OP and his hole on the ground. Just maybe ya think.

I would have "maybe" thought that
 

but you posted just underneath my reply to the other poster who asked me a question, that said, you didn't address your post to a specific poster. Ya think?

Oh gee now we have to post directly under those we are responding too. New rule or something. Ya think.

new rule?
 

Not that I know of, I use the quote button so I don't confuse others when I'm making a particular point with another poster. Quite frankly, I did think you were refering to my actual post. But since an attitude (ya think) has started, I'll leave well enough alone and allow you to relate your experience with bunkers with the young man. Have a nice day.

And sometimes it is obvious to most people as to who the post refers too. You also have a nice day.

I shot my second buck with a bow when I was 14 out of a pit blind. It worked great. Went back in 2 hrs after I made the shot with my uncle and dad to retrieve the buck. A huge bear jumped on the edge of it and caved it in. I guess he didn't want me hunting there.

Geez, what a pissing match. Ya think?

How did you reinforce the pit/trench walls?

We hunt of public goose pits after the hunter are gone at basically at 2pm. We both gun and bowhunt the area. We gun hunt out of the pits and bow hunt the surrounding area. I know of a gentleman and his mentally challenged son that gun hunt out of these pits as well. My brother and I checked with the site manager and he said that it was prefectly legal for this for it is designated as a firearm area and as long as we are not hunting waterfowl after hours, there will be no problems as long as we don't enter the adjoining refuge.
Pretty nice to have a comfy chair and when its cold or rainy out, a propane heater to boot makes a long cold day real nice!!!!!

Pit
 

Goose and Duck hunters use them. I'd say if it was on private property, why not?

Has to be the right setup but that's a technical discussion.

Strategically, it's a viable option.

Allows for some rather convenient extras like heat, cooking, creature comforts, etc. But IDK abt scent cone emanation. Heat rises and with it, your scent.

I once knew some guys that hunted private property in WV from a tree blind. Not just a stand, this was a condo in a group of trees. It had windows, benches, insulated walls, a roof, a propane heater, countertops for cooking and guns and gear... in short a condo!

Some may find the idea appealing. I do not but that doesn't make it wrong, just not 'my cup of tea'.

YMMV.

Thanks for the input.

Versus a tree blind where you are totally exposed to wind, wouldn't your scent disseminate less from a pit?