The Best Ground Blind For Bowhunting In 2021

Are you thinking of buying the best ground blind for bowhunting?

To be successful in bow hunting and avoid detection by wild animals, you need the best ground blind for bowhunters. Apart from discovery by wild animals, the right bowhunting blind can protect your gear and keep you dry.

It can protect you from stormy weather and other conditions. For example, it can protect you from heavy rain, wind, and the harmful UV rays of the Sun.

In this post, I review the best ground blind for bowhunting, how to set up a ground blind, and what to consider when shopping for a ground blind. I also cover FAQs that every bow hunter needs answers.

What Is a Ground Blind?

It is a cover device that offers bow hunters mobility and concealment. As an excellent concealment tool, it helps to reduce the chances of detection when bowhunting. How? By keeping the bow hunter wholly hidden from sight.

As such, the bow hunter can move from one position to another without revealing his location. There are different types of ground blinds. You have duck blinds and deer blinds.

Compared to a tree stand, ground blinds are more comfortable to set up, easier to handle, and much safer. Unlike tree stands, you can plant your feet firmly to the ground when using deer blinds for bow hunting.

During the winter hunting season, the ground blind provides warmth thanks to the thick material. Since ground blinds have a camouflage design, they blend well with the environment.

Why Use A Ground Blind?

The most obvious reason for using this excellent concealment tool is to avoid detection by wild animals such as deer. Thanks to the thick material and the camouflage design, the ground blind blends well with the environment.

As such, wild animals will find it difficult to see or smell the bowhunter. Not only that. You will have a better vision of your prey and even target your prey with ease.

Another reason for using a ground blind is the ability to have your feet firmly on the ground. Unlike tree stands where sudden movement can startle the wild animals, a ground blind offers proper support with your feet firmly on the ground.

As such, you can spend hours tracking your prey without detection. Last, ground blinds protect you from extreme weather conditions. They include the harmful UV rays of the Sun, rain, and wind.

How To Properly Set Up A Ground Blind

To properly set up a ground blind, there are several steps you need to consider. By doing so, not only will you learn how to choose the right location, but you will learn how to think like your target. Want to know how to set up a ground blind properly?

Keep reading!

The first step is to find a location with ample cover. The more the background cover, the much easier it is to blend in the environment. For example, look for areas with overhanging limbs.

The limbs can conceal your ground blind and blend it into the natural landscape. Remember, the key is to find a spot where you can stay hidden.

Apart from finding the right location, you need to set up your ground blind early. The reason for doing so is to ensure that the deer get used to your ground blind. If the deer notices an unfamiliar shape in the vicinity, it will have no reason for coming to that area.

I recommend setting up your ground blind before the season starts. It can be a few days or weeks prior. As such, you give the mature bucks time to get familiar with the lay of the land.

It’s essential to ensure that your pop-up blinds for bow hunting are securely tied down. To do so, drive the stakes into the ground. Use a rope to tie the blind to all four stakes. The cord can also help you to secure branches to conceal the blind better.

Once you secure the ground blind, get in, and check your shooting lane. You need to have a clear view of the grounds. Make sure no leaves or branches are blocking your shot and sight.

Think like your prey. That means, taking into consideration the popular travel routes and feeding grounds of the deer. By looking at their patterns and finding a spot to conceal your blind, it will be easier to hunt deer and duck too.

Be mindful of the strong winds. You don’t want any strong wind to knock down the ground blind and reveal your location. If you set up your screen downwind, your scent will give up your position.

Take note of wind patterns before choosing the right spot. Adjust your position according to the wind pattern.

Editor’s Top Pick| Top 5 best ground blind for bowhunting

1. Ameristep Care Taker Ground Blind

Ameristep is a trusted brand founded in 1992. Since then, the company has been innovating new ground blinds to keep hunters hidden from deer. One of its best products is the Ameristep Care Taker Ground Blind.

Designed to accommodate two hunters, it comes with the polyester kryptek camouflage, which gives instant concealment to the hunters. Compact in size, it is lightweight and easy to transport. Not only that. It is easy to deploy in a variety of environments.

For example, you can deploy the Ameristep Care Taker Ground Blind in a heavily wooded area. Why? It has the ShadowGuard interior coating, which helps to eliminate silhouettes and shadows.

For easy take down and set up, Ameristep incorporated the Spider Hub frame. This sturdy and dependable frame is durable and can withstand extreme weather. Also, it protects the hunters from the harsh UV rays of the Sun.

The ground blind comes with shoot-through mesh windows, which offers more shooting opportunities for the hunters.

Pros

• Comes with the rugged Spider Hub frame for easy takedown and set up.
• Has ShadowGuard coating which eliminates silhouettes.
• Compact in size
• Has replaceable camo shoot-through mesh windows.
• Durable

Cons

• Heavy raindrops from trees can make an unnatural sound that scares deer away.
• No loops for brush material.

2. Primos Double Bull Deluxe Ground Blind, Truth Camo

As one of the best deer blinds for bow hunting, the Primos Double Bull Deluxe Ground Blind has floor space measuring 60 inches by 60 inches. It is enough space for two adult hunters to fit in. The blind also has a zipperless door that allows silent entry and exit.

As such, you will not spook any deer. Its equipped with the double Bull hub system. The hub system is a patented system that allows for easy set-up and takedown. The system also strengthens the structure, making it suitable for use even when raining.

What you need to know is that the Primos Double Bull Deluxe Ground Blind has a 180-degree front window. This window offers lots of shooting opportunities for hunters. It has the shoot-through mesh, which conceals the hunters’ position too.

The good news is, hunters can adjust it accordingly. That means, they can raise or lower the mesh window covering or revealing as much as they would like.

Pros

• The blind is very spacious.
• Comes with a carry bag.
• Great quality
• Comes with a lifetime warranty.
• Has a zipperless door.

Cons

• Expensive compared to other ground blinds.

3.  Ameristep Doghouse Ground Blind

Are you in search of a two-person hunting ground blind from Ameristep? If so, the Ameristep Doghouse Ground Blind is a great choice. The exterior includes a large open window. Perfect for firearm hunting.

Hunters can add shoot-through mesh covers on the large windows. To blend well with the natural landscape, Ameristep applied matte finish on the Durashell Plus fabric.

To prevent silhouettes and shadows which can spook the deer, the ground blind has ShadowGuard interior coating. Weighing 13.79 pounds, it (fabric) is water-resistant. As such, it offers protection from the rain.

The blind does come with a beautiful carrying bag. Thanks to its compact size, transport and storage are easy.

Pros

• Has the Durashell Plus fabric with a matte finish.
• Can accommodate two adults.
• Comes with ShadowGuard interior coating that eliminates shadows and silhouettes.
• Easy to transport
• Comes with a carrying bag.

Cons

• Hunters will have limited movement when drawing back.
• Tall hunters need to use a short chair for sitting in or the window will be too low.

4.  GhostBlind 4-Panel Predator Blind

Made with unbreakable, waterproof plastic panels, the GhostBlind 4-Panel Predator Blind is like no other blind we have reviewed. Unlike other archery hunting blinds with real tree camo, this blind has mirrors. Both the back panels and mirrors are plastic.

The reflective panels tilt forward, reflecting anything in the vicinity. As such, it eliminates the glare from the sky or the Sun. Deer and other game will not see the panels unless they are 6 inches from the blind.

Due to the mirrors, the blind will look precisely as the ground and the surrounding environment. As one of the deer blinds for bow hunting, it is lightweight and compact. As such, it’s easy to set up, easy to carry, and relocate.

It has a unique hinged design that allows you to fold the plans to the inside. Hunters have the option of buying extenders. These extenders add 7 inches to the top of the panel.

Pros

• Made from shatterproof plastic.
• It’s waterproof.
• Perfect for all hunting seasons.
• Hunters can shoot from a seated position.
• Comes with several accessories such as tent stakes, tie-down cords and bungee cords.

Cons

• Offers no protection from rain and Sun.
• Has no overhead concealment which means it’s not perfect for duck hunting.

5. Barronett Blinds Big Cat Pop Up Portable Hunting Blind

The Barronett Blinds Big Cat Pop Up Portable Hunting Blind has smart hub technology. It also has durable fiberglass poles and high-quality fabric, which makes it easy to set up and takedown.

As a big blind, it can accommodate up to 4 adults. Thanks to the vast space, you can shoot while standing or while sitting down. The company incorporates large unobstructed windows.

Not only do they offer excellent views of the hunting grounds but several shooting opportunities. What you need to know is that the windows are adjustable. You can open or close them depending on your preference.

These are noise-free windows. You can open and close the windows without scaring the deer away. The blind also comes with an over sized duffel back. It has backpack straps making it easy to carry.

To set up the blind, open the duffel bag, pop out every hub, and enjoy your hunting experience.

Pros

• Large and spacious
• Easy to transport.
• Comes with the Blood trail camo and the 3D illusion of outdoor foliage for better concealment.
• Has a noise free window.
• Built with strong components.

Cons

• The entry has a zipper which makes noise.
• Has no floor.

Ground Blind vs. Tree stand

For many years, bowhunters have been debating about ground blind vs. treestand. Some say a ground blind is best while others prefer a tree stand. The truth is, both have pros and cons. In this section, I look at both options and help you decide which is best for your needs.

Comfort

Over the past few years, tree stands have improved in terms of support. For instance, the majority of tree stands come with memory foam and zero gravity seats. As large platforms, they also have room for gear storage.

The problem is, you have to maintain the same position for the better part of the day. As such, when evening comes, you will be glad that you are descending to the ground.

With a ground blind, you have more storage for your gear and legroom. There are ground blinds large enough that allow you to stand in. You can even fit a few accessories, such as camping chairs.

Thanks to their thick material, they protect you from the harsh UV rays of the Sun and bad weather.

Concealment

When you are high up in the tree, the only cover you have is tree foliage. The foliage helps to conceal you from the deer. Since you are high up the tree, you are away from the deer’s detection zone.

As such, the deer will not detect your scent. Not only that. Deer and other ground-based prey never look upward unless there is sudden movement in their vision. Or, if they hear something.

When it comes to ground blinds for bowhunters, they are great for concealment. They have real tree camo, which blends well with the natural landscape. They also conceal the bow hunter from the deer.

Once the hunter enters the blind and closes the door, it will be difficult for the deer to detect the hunter’s presence. Even though all blinds have camouflage fabric, you need to conceal them with tree foliage.

It is typically called brushing in, and it allows the animals to get used to the presence of the new structure.

Shooting Opportunities

As said earlier, tree stands have a significant advantage – tree height. While up in the tree, the hunter has several shooting opportunities. The problem is the tree foliage limits the hunter’s shooting lanes.

As such, he or she has to cut down a few of the leaves or branches to have more shooting opportunities on certain occasions.

With ground blinds, hunters have to shoot from designated windows. While opening too many windows increases shooting opportunities, it also increases the chances of detection. It is essential to find a great location to expand your shooting opportunities.

Mobility

Ladder tree stands limit your movement. How? You cannot move to different locations to take advantage of shooting opportunities. Apart from the ladder tree stands, you also have hang-on tree stands.

These stands offer mobility better than ladder stands. Why? They are easier to move. All you have to do is identify a new spot.

Ground blinds are par with hang-on tree stands when it comes to mobility. The problem is, you cannot set up a blind and take it down after a brief period. Not only is it time-consuming because you have to secure the blind with stakes and cover with foliage, but you will also reveal your location.

How to Choose the Best Ground Blind for Bow hunting

Shopping for the best ground blind for bow hunting can be a difficult task, especially for beginners. Not only are they not aware of the features but the dimensions and accessories. To ensure beginners make the right choices, buyers need to consider several things.

Here are the top 6.

A. Ease of Setting up

The best ground blind should be easy to set up. I recommend models that you can set up in 10 to 15 seconds. To ensure an easy set-up, the majority of ground blinds use the pop-up hub system.

They also come with stakes, tie cords, and bungee cords. When shopping for ground blinds, consider models that are easy to take down too.

B. Waterproof/water resistant

If you live in a region where it rains a lot, you need a ground blind that’s waterproof or water-resistant. It will act as a barrier against the raindrops. As such, you, your hunting buddies, and gear will remain dry.

C. Location

The best blind should fit in any area to offer clear shots of the game without detection. What you need to know is that in individual states, you are not required to cut the sagebrush. To avoid violating this law and others, set up early. Why? It provides you with enough time to find the perfect location.

D. Camouflaged Fabric

A majority of ground blinds come with camouflaged fabric. It conceals you from the game and prevents you from spooking them too. To enhance your concealment, some models have an interior coating that eliminates shadows and silhouettes. Others have a matte finish that blends well with the environment.

E. Weight

Your ground blind should be easy to carry. It should come with a duffel bag. The carry bag should have back straps for easy transportation. If the ground blind is heavy, it will be difficult to carry it over long distances.

F. Type of Windows

If you don’t want to spook the game, I recommend models with noise-free windows and doors. Such windows and doors have no zippers. Most brands offer velcro windows or magnetic windows and doors.

They have a variety of adjustments, which boosts your hunting experience. We recommend buying blinds with 3 to 6 windows that offer a 360 view of the hunting grounds.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

1. Are Ground Blinds Good for Bow Hunting?

Ground blinds have been used for centuries to conceal hunters from the game. Not only do they offer protection from weather elements, but they are suitable for bow hunting.

2. What Is the Easiest Ground Blind to Set Up?

Modern ground blinds have smart hub technologies and durable fiberglass poles. But the simplest blind to set up is the Ghost Blind 4-Panel Predator Blind. All you have to do is tilt the panels forward.

3. Are Turkeys Afraid of Ground Blinds?

Blinds do not scare turkeys even in an open field. But, if given enough blind pressure, turkeys can get scared.

4. Do Ground Blinds Control Scent?

Yes, ground blinds control scents, but to be effective, you must study the wind patterns. We recommend changing the position of the blind depending on the wind patterns.

5. Can Deer See You in a Ground Blind?

A ground blind conceals the hunter. The majority of screens have a camo pattern on the fabric that blends well with the environment. It makes it difficult for the deer to see the blind

6. Does Human Urine Spook Deer?

While human urine contains ammonia, sodium chloride, urea, creatinine, and potassium, it does not affect or spook deer.

7. Do Pop up Blinds Spook Deer?

Yes, they can spook deer if you set in an open field. You need to conceal the pop blind with tree foliage to avoid detection.

8. How Far Away Can Deer Hear?

A deer can smell a hunter from half a mile away. Its sense of smell is 500 to 1000 times better than humans. Just like their sense of smell, deer can hear 100 times better than humans.

Final Verdict

The best ground blind for bow hunting brings lots of practical use and versatility despite the many differences. As a must-have product for hunters, you have to find that which suits your needs. For example, if you want a ground blind that has room for more than three people, we recommend the Barronett Blinds Big Cat Pop Up Portable Hunting Blind.

If you are looking for a blind that can accommodate two people, we recommend the Primos Double Bull Deluxe Ground Blind, Truth Camo, and the Ameristep Doghouse Ground Blind. Our choice of the best ground blind for bowhunting is the Primos Double Bull Deluxe Ground Blind.

It’s easy to set up, accommodates two hunters, and made from durable material. Not only that. It has a zipperless door. As such, you will not spook the game during entry or exit.

Best of luck!

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