Pop-up ground blind question
 

I have never use a pop-up blind for deer hunting so I was wondering, when putting one up do the deer notice it and how long before the season should it be put up? Any other suggestions that could help me along? Thanks in advance!

Put it up at least a few weeks before it will be used and brush it in good to take away it's outline.

Make sure you know your requirements for blaze orange flagging if there are any in your intended hunting area.

I would put the blind up anywhere outside for a good while and spray it down even before placing it at the intended hunt site just to get it good and aired out.

I set mine up about 3 weeks before the hunting starts. Make sure u get one the nice and roomy, had friends drop in on rainy days.

I have been using them for going on 10yrs and have taken deer the same day I put it up!!! I have put up the night before and taken deer the next AM. If you have a spot that has deer activity and can get in and put it up quietly, do so and hunt straight out of it then!!! My brother killed a deer 3 yrs ago from the pop up blind before he was done setting it up!!!! Cleaned the deer and took blind almost up back down and loaded back up on 4 whlr.

I second second chances comments.Blend it in good with the surroundings and your good to go.

Depending on where you hunt and the time of year I will say a an Amerstep pop blind just sucks.
they have no water proof flaps over the zippers which will get water in them from melting snow and freeze up and unusable.
I contacted them and was told they were to be put up every morning and taken down every night at the end of the hunt, not designed to be left out here in Michigan during deer firearm season.
I only have one left that I got some rubberized camo material and made flaps over all the zippers to make the water run off.

I have set up in the early afternoon and had deer come to stare at the blind and keep getting closer because they wanted to know what that thing was. Of course they were all does and button bucks but were deer.

:D Al

The problem of pop-up blinds
 

The first problem is a pop-up blind, is that it isn't in anyway a permanent structure. Keeping them out in the cold and rain and snow isn't meant to work after awhile. It's good for what it does; nothing more.

Knowledge is needed to brush them in; hide them better. Knowledge is needed to repair them. A limb falling on a blind will do wonders to a blind. A Mr. Fix it can keep it operating, as long as possible.

A $100 or $200 structure is just that. It's the attempt to make it what it isn't, of some great permanence, that's in error.

I would also throw out there that something blaze orange is a good idea even if your state doesn't require it.

During the gun season on public land, for sure. And even on private land if there is even a chance of another hunter. Otherwise, what happens when a deer is between you and another hunter?

Thanks for info everyone! I will be ready now when the season starts again this fall!

They do sell caps of blaze orange for pop up blinds. Fellows next door bought blaze orange cloth from Wal mart and drapes it over some bushed by their hub style blinds when they are in them.

This isn't a pop up but is portable although a bit on the heavy side at 22 pounds. Nice thing is the zippers do not freeze up as they have a flap over them. Holds a good amount of snow with out collapsing too.



:D Al

I had one when my son was smaller.I sat it up in the yard to air out,sprayed scent control on it.Found a good spot in the woods where a tree had blown down and it made a natural place to set it up.I sat it up a few days before the season.And saw deer every time we hunted out of it.They didn't seem to pay any attention to it.Went in one morning with my son to hunt and just couldn't find it in the dark,,when it came light..Lol it wasn't there.I guess someone else liked it.I guess there are pros and cons as to leaving it..It was on private property,but poachers n trespassers don't care,,just a past experience.Good luck and shoot straight.

Had 3 that when I went back they were shredded and and a rubber hammer to put the pegs in and elected it their in the blind and a bear had bitten the rubber head. And their where bear sign all around the blind. He did that to 3 of those doghouse blinds. Know I have a wooden blind build and he never played it any mind. My father watched him out of it this year for 45min and when he leaves the bear was still their. next day the blind was fine. But also put up blinds and in 30 min had deer come.right up to them.

I,m with Valentine.I only leave mine out for the duration of the season I plan on usin it.If a bad weather front or storm is gonna hit I will take it down to protect it till the weather passes.When it was new I too aired it out and sprayed it with a sealant especially around the seams with Camp Dry.I also clear away branches and briars that could damage it if they would rub against it.I like to secure it to saplings ,roots or other points if I can to help secure it.

One thing I do with my Pop up in snow conditions when I leave. I use my monopod as a center support pole using my chair to get the height I need.
Works rather well.

JW

For the orange "flag" on a blind it must be visible 360-degrees and a cheapo blaze orange vest works great.