How to Build Homemade Hunting Blinds

A homemade blind will conceal you from your game.

There are a hundred ways to build a homemade hunting blind, but the most effective and easiest is the natural blind. A natural blind uses materials that are present at the hunting site such as trees, brush, rocks and stumps. When building a natural blind, the fresh broken brush and undergrowth that you use to build the blind masks your own scent, according to experienced huntsman Marty Prokop. The purpose of a blind is to conceal your shape from your game. With natural blinds this requires some planning and a good barrier between you and your prey.

Things You'll Need

• Knife, saw or hatchet
• Shovel
• Stool or chair

Instructions

1. Scout the area you are preparing to hunt, and make certain that your prey frequents it. Begin scouting up to a month in advance. An added advantage is that your scent will linger, and the prey will become accustomed to it.

2. Find a natural depression at the site, or dig a small wallow, preferably beside a tree, stump or boulder.

3. Cut brush and branches to surround the depression you have found or made. Use some spruce or cedar to help mask your scent. Tangles of brush are good as they are easy to place and keep their natural appearance.

4. Pile the brush against the tree, rock or boulder, creating an "igloo" that will accommodate you and your gear. Interlace or weave together the branches to hold it together.

5. Create spaces or holes in your blind that will allow you to see out and will accommodate the barrel of your rifle. This is easily accomplished by rearranging the brush.

6. Place your stool or chair in the blind. You can position yourself in the depression, or, according to Score-your-hunting.com, you may sit on the edge and dangle your feet into it with your back against the tree, stump or boulder.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure you're comfortable, as you have to sit very still for extended periods of time to keep from alerting your game to your presence.

• Sudden movements will instantly alert and frighten away your game. If you must readjust, do so with slow, silent movements.

References

• Free Deer Hunting Tips: Deer Hunting Ground Blind Building Plans
• Hunting Blind Plans for Hunting Success: Natural Deer Blinds
• Score Your Hunting: Deer Blinds, Hunting Blinds

Resources

• SBWire: 8 Tips to Build a Deer Blind for Hunting Deer featuring Marty Prokop