Ground blinds,......good or bad for the sport?

[B-Ready]

For years I was a run n gun hunter. Never used blinds or decoy's for a long time. I'm getting older now and had to have knee surgery a few years back. Running the hill's and hollar's  would cause me pain and shorten my hunt. I bought one last year and used it. I see the benefit of using one when your older and in bad weather, with hunter's that are just getting started, along with Kids and the ability to film hunts better. I don't look down on anyone that uses a blind or decoys for that matter. If it helps your hunting experience ...... Go for it!!

[Shadetree Callers]

 It's called the sport of turkey hunting because it is sporting in it's nature . The blinds definately have their place , whether you choose to use one or not . Let's look at history , there have been blinds and hide-outs made for hunting animals like deer and turkeys for thousands of years . Do you really picture an indian sitting with his back to an old oak tree with his bow or spear in hand , NO . They devised methods and places to hide out and shoot their quarry . Just because they didn't have a pop-up blind made in a factory doesn't mean that they didn't use tactics like we do .
 That said , a blind is not appropriate for everyone or every situation . But they have their place in the turkey woods for sure . I'm not sure about the places you hunt , but where i am at we have no fields to set up a blind and wait for a turkey to stroll through . I will set up a blind in the forest, that I can use as a fallback spot when the birds aren't talking . I place one in an area that turkeys feel comfortable and like to be and I softcall occasionally . Believe me it is alot easier to sit still and be patient when you are sitting upright in a seat and don't have swarms of mosquitoes attacking you from all angles . Most times you will find me on the move and a blind isn't very portable so trees and bushes make a better choice . But when your tired old back and knees need a break and the turkeys are silent or it's raining , check inside my double-bull blind for me . If you catch me napping , wake me up , LOL !

[Porter]

It's called the sport of turkey hunting because it is sporting in it's nature . The blinds definately have their place , whether you choose to use one or not . Let's look at history , there have been blinds and hide-outs made for hunting animals like deer and turkeys for thousands of years . Do you really picture an indian sitting with his back to an old oak tree with his bow or spear in hand , NO . They devised methods and places to hide out and shoot their quarry . Just because they didn't have a pop-up blind made in a factory doesn't mean that they didn't use tactics like we do .
 That said , a blind is not appropriate for everyone or every situation . But they have their place in the turkey woods for sure . I'm not sure about the places you hunt , but where i am at we have no fields to set up a blind and wait for a turkey to stroll through . I will set up a blind in the forest, that I can use as a fallback spot when the birds aren't talking . I place one in an area that turkeys feel comfortable and like to be and I softcall occasionally . Believe me it is alot easier to sit still and be patient when you are sitting upright in a seat and don't have swarms of mosquitoes attacking you from all angles . Most times you will find me on the move and a blind isn't very portable so trees and bushes make a better choice . But when your tired old back and knees need a break and the turkeys are silent or it's raining , check inside my double-bull blind for me . If you catch me napping , wake me up , LOL !

Bob great response.  One thing I've noticed, people that are against blinds but use tree stands...  Never figured that one out, but this ole boy is TERRIFIED of heights... I'm talking getting 2 feet off the ground scared!!!

I use blinds for my son and this might be the last year I do that.  He was ready to go this Spring and get against a tree!

I deer hunt out of blinds all the time, since I cannot get up a tree  

I'm still young (although I feel old), but I enjoy running and gunning.  Stopped using decoys a few years ago too...  my reasons are completely different than most peoples.

One thing though.. you are not supposed to sleep in the woods !!!!  dcole... you show those pics and I'll  you!!!  I fell asleep in the woods this spring and my ole buddy texted who knows how many people showing my dead silent stature!!!

[Shadetree Callers]

Mike , when you spend as many hours in the woods as I usually do , you have to sleep a little . I would hate to go home just to sleep . 

[Roy]

hunting out of a blind doesnt seem fair to me.  but thats what u get when u have everyone watching outdoor channel. 

[icdedturkes]

I loathe them.. I cannot buy the comparisons with scentlok, blinds, tree stands and deer either.. A deer relies on three senses for survival whereas a turkey has 2.. Killing a turkey out of a blind is the equivalent of killing a blind deer that has no sense of smell..

I had a friend this year that actually did the pick up the blind while in it and walk across a field closer to a gobbler

[wiltznucs]

I loathe them.. I cannot buy the comparisons with scentlok, blinds, tree stands and deer either.. A deer relies on three senses for survival whereas a turkey has 2.. Killing a turkey out of a blind is the equivalent of killing a blind deer that has no sense of smell..

Sorry, this is a ridiculous comparison.  

You make it out like every turkey hunt from a blind ends with a kill.  We both know the reality is thats not the case at all.. in fact I'd argue the odds of success arent that much higher if at all with a blind.  My rationale for that statement is that most "blind hunters" set up in their blind and thats where they sit until the hunt ends.  Time and again I've seen blind hunters stay put and take their chances rather than moving on a gobbler firing off just 300 yards away.  Even if a turkey does appear in front of the blind, you have no assurance the turkey will be in range.  

On the other hand, a distinct advantage is given to those hunters who can cover ground.  Enough of an advantage that I actually prefer hunting a property with "blind hunters" as opposed to run n' gun hunters.  I know exactly where the hunters are and I also know they probably arent moving.  The difference in mobility virtually erases any tangible advantage offered by the blinds.

[Gitzit69]

I loathe them.. I cannot buy the comparisons with scentlok, blinds, tree stands and deer either.. A deer relies on three senses for survival whereas a turkey has 2.. Killing a turkey out of a blind is the equivalent of killing a blind deer that has no sense of smell..

Sorry, this is a ridiculous comparison.  

I agree, a blind deer with no sense of smell has lost 2/3 of the senses it needs to survive. Now if you shot a turkey from a blind that was blind in one eye and had ear plugs in then the comparison might work....
 

[GSLAM95]

For those of you who badger blind hunters, please tell me that you don't shoot modern day shotguns with specialty choke tubes & Hevi - Shot that will easily reach 40 - 50+ yards.  Do you wear modern camo that makes it easier to blend into your surroundings?  Do you carry a set of pruners and cut some twigs to put around you to break up your silhouette?  Do you use a dog's nose and tracking ability to ever pursue game?  Do you deer hunt from a tree?  Do you use a modern day rifle or slug gun when you deer hunt?  Does your shotgun have screw in choke tubes?  Have you had the forcing cone lengthened in the barrel of your shotgun?  What about recoil reduction is that really fair to take some of the kick out of that turkey load recoil?  Do you have a specialty sight on that barrel for aiming?  

I have seen many turkeys die with my back against a tree and a scatter gun in hand but I have also seen them die while I was on 1 knee behind some honey suckle, standing knee deep in a creek bed, flat on my belly, sitting with my legs crossed behind a log, sitting behind a knee high pole blind and yes even in a ground blind!

Almost 10 yrs ago I went to mainly bow hunting turkeys and have to admit I have only taken a couple of dozen or so without a ground blind in a run-n-gun style of bow hunting.  I have taken quite a sum more from a blind bow hunting and must admit I like the relaxation I get sitting in a portable ground blind, especially after sweating my rear off packing in my blind, stool, video tripod and misc equipment on my back while having a decoy bag in one hand and my bow in the other.

Try entering the woods just before first light with the above equipment and take off for that gobble you hear just in ear range.  I guarantee it will test your woodsmanship, patience, calling abilities etc etc if you want to consistently fill your tags!
I purchased a 20 gauge for taking youth hunters out and after patterning it I was amazed what some of these guns are now capable of.  After taking a 12 yr old out during youth season and watching her squeeze the trigger on a nice
long beard I decided to carry this thing on a hunt or two.

I ended up filling 3 of my tags with my back against a tree and the 20 gauge in hand this season and it was exciting, but the two that I took with my bow out of my Double Bull this spring had the adrenaline pumping more and were totally more challenging and rewarding hunts.

In closing I don't care what your weapon of choice is or what means you hunt by!  If it is legal in your area and ethical in your mind then please go out and enjoy the privilege of hunting.  Hunters are a small group in todays society, turkey hunters are an even smaller group and an old saying comes to mind, "Together we stand - divided we fall"!
I hope the rest of your fathers day is both relaxing and filled with rewards, if your father is still around give him a hug today and tell him how much you love him, mine is gone, I miss and love him dearly!  
  

[Dcoleinpa]

I don't look at turkey hunting as a means of survival and i highly doubt anyone sitting on a computer talking about turkey calls and such does either, until then I will look at it as way to have fun in what I call a  "sporting" manner.

Nothing in the turkey woods is full proof... if there was such a thing I feel sorry for the man that uses it.

[J.L. Erb]

Some agree with the use of them, some do not.

In all reality, at the end of the day, who cares, hunt the way you want.

 Hunt safe and ethical, leave no trace, and enjoy your time in the woods, we are all stewards of the land as hunters, hunt the way you want to, if it is out of a blind, go fer it.

[icdedturkes]

Wiltz, I hunted out of a blind once and had 12+ hens within 1 foot and could have grabbed their feet from underneath.. I then said this is un sporting and in No way would have happened outside the blind..
As for a blind being no advantage vs a mobile hunter I agree, until the moment of truth... No skill is required to move and close the deal... Its not that I dont have respect for a guy who can sit still by a tree for 3 hours, its the guy tthat needs a crutch to do so.. It is not a style vs style argument
Gizit, it is the same.. Take away a deer's sense of smell which a turkey does not have.. And put a blindfold on a deer which essentially a blind does and you have a animal that has a sense of hearing..

ON A SIDENOTE: It is nice to see this discussion go on without lockdown either know it disagrees with ones hunting style

[CDCorder]

Personally, I do not care for them too much because I don't get the full outdoor experience and they are hot as heck. The only time I have ever hunted from a blind is when I took my daughter on this past year's juvenile hunt. That said, I don't have any problem at all with someone using one. I do carry one of those little collapsible HS portable "blinds" (the cloth on sticks thing) in my vest for those times when there is no cover, if that counts. Most of the time I will just cut a small limb or two to stab in the ground in front of me if I need extra cover. I really don't see the difference in that and a blind. The bottom line is I'm trying to stay hid, and I am trying to kill turkeys. I will use whatever I think I need to use to do that. If that means using a blind, I would have no problem doing just that although it is not my normal preference or style.

Clint

[mikey715]

Whatever makes you ENJOY turkey hunting or turkey sports is fine with me. Blinds,decoys,whatever.. I will use a blind,but I dont shoot 3 1/2 or even 3 inch shells,what did they do 30 years ago without them?   Like Bruce said,to each his own..It doesnt bug me to use decoys,blinds or the guns of Navarrone . What ever floats your boat,as long as you enjoy it! No one should feel bad about it as long as its Legal. I really like them with a bow or when it rains..not that bad to carry one with you..only thing that is bad is that Darn LazyBoy,them straps really dug into my shoulders!!!

[hoobilly]

sometimes I need it, most times I dont...didnt use it at all in 2 years. But I have places I hunt that I will need it do to lack of cover.

To each his own... when we criticise others we start sounding like deer hunters arguing whether we should use bow rather than firearms.

If you kill a turkey legally...your a hunter. hunt on!