Do any of you guys use a portable blind? I am thinking about getting one of those one man chair blinds. Seems like they would work well. Of course, the little black birds are smart and might notice the man made materials.
I have been using an Ameristep Ringer Blind lately with good results. Light, compact, easy to set-up / take down. I also use a backpacker blind quite a bit. As Shane pointed out, doctoring them up with some natural stuff just makes'em better.
I use one of the chair blinds promoted as being a duck hunnting chair blind. It works great, really portable, but still use some local "brush" to help it blend in even more
I use a ghillie poncho or just plain camo clothes...I dont move n I figure by the time I do they iz in trubble haha. This weekend I am going to try and experiment sitting right out in the open in a corn field on my hunting stool wearing the ghillie and put my ecaller about 30 yards in front of me and see what happens...I am hoping they will come right in low...if this works I will not have to always be looking for low trees and such and field side shooting spots...I also have and still do..shoot quite a few birds when in a hurry from right behind my suv...they usually come in a little higher so I use a turkey choke when doing that...but some still come screaming right in...especially on farms they are used to rigs...when they get smart to my suv...then I park it aways off and get away from it and hit em...HOSTLE, AGILE AND MOBILE !!
I also travel during the day for work so the suv blind is great when I am on the road working n see crows in a shootable field I pull over...throw the fx3 out...load the M2000...hopefully pop a few and then hit the road again....very quick in and out.
I like the idea of a ghillie suit. The ultimate personal lightweight blind. You will have to let us know how your experiment goes Nasty. That would be the way to go if it worked out. Until then I think I am definitely going to put some natural stuff around a portable blind.
Crownut, If it has a fixed roof or a pop up roof, I would not recommend it . When you flip open anything you will alert the birds to your presence. If it has a permanent top you visibility is greatly reduced along with ability to shoot.
Nasty, Being fully camoed, even in my leafy wear. The days I am not in a blind and standing in cover of brush and or trees I sometimes still get picked up. When I take a knee I am seen much less. The draw back of dropping down, your ability to shoot is reduced. If you sit right out in the open, as soon as you shoulder your gun every bird you can't see will flare and your TBC will be low. If you have a great spot with big numbers, I would save that tactic. It's fun to try something different.
I have a series of cheap wood frames constructed throughout the countryside. Have been shooting some of these locations for years. Just staple on some burlap or other cammo that fits in with the location and good to go in less than 5 mins.
Top is open. Blinds should come up to ones shoulder hight IMO. You can shoot from standing straight up without having to hunch over as crows approach. Any crows that come over the top as to see the shooter will be in prime position to become fertilizer.
247, some of the best blinds IMO are hay bales, old grainaries and abandoned farm implements...especially when running and gunning.
Ted
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