A Great Morning Hunting

 

 

It was a beautiful morning on Saturday, sitting in the Darkwoods Ground Blind.  I watched the sun come up on the first day of the Pennsylvania archery season opener on my birthday.

 

 

I was hoping for a buck to walk by nice and slow as a birthday present, but it was not to be.  

 

 Instead I had three turkeys in front of the blind for at least 15 minutes.  Hopefully these turkeys bring friends (Gobblers) along with them in November when I can tag them.

 

 

This hen was at 25 yards, in my scope for 20 seconds!  I swear they can read the hunting regulations and know when fall turkey season starts.

 

 

 

 

 

New Home

This is my new fall vacation home.  I plan on spending the first day of archery season here.  By getting it completed yesterday, the deer have almost a month to get use to seeing it. 

My Action Trackchair should be concealed very well and with a little luck I can get a shot at a big mature doe walking by.  The Action Trackchair is larger than most power wheelchairs so the extra room this blind provides is great.

Thank you Ryan and Joe for constructing this for me!  I appreciate all you guys are doing.

Thanks WPA Wounded Warriors

Spring Turkey Is a Bust

30 May was the last chance for me to fill my Spring turkey tag and I did not get it done.  Adam and I hunted hard yesterday in the 85 degree temperatures but could not get a bird to come into our decoy set.

After several hours I could not take the heat any longer and had to pack it in.  On the way out of the ground blind location we seen four Jakes in a yard close to a guys front porch.... Yes we were thrilled at that.  That's why it's called hunting folks.

35 Degree's today

It was only 35 degree's this morning at 5 am when I rolled out of my van and into my ground blind.  I thought this was Spring turkey season, not winter...ugh

I did not even hear a bird today let alone see one.  I am hoping for better luck and warmer weather later this week.  Don't forget, today starts all day hunting here in Pa.  Good luck, shoot straight, and be safe.

New Darkwoods Ground Blind

A Darkwoods Ground blind and trailer system was recently donated to www.wpawoundedwarrior.org it looks like a great wheelchair accessible ground blind.  I can't wait to try this baby out.

Ground Blind Stakes

Okay, you just spent several hundred dollars on a super deluxe ground blind.  Here is a $4.00 suggestion on how to keep it from becoming a several hundred dollar camo kite.

Purchase yourself some good quality text stakes like these from Coleman  and always stake down all four corners.  The thin stakes most ground blinds come with do not do the job.  I like to leave my blind up in the field at least a few weeks prior to the hunt when possible and these stakes secure the blind well.

Folding the Ameristep Blind

This is the best video on folding the Ameristep ground blind...

Ground Blinds Sent

Today I sent two of my ground blinds out to my outfitter in IL. to get put into place for my November hunt.  Deer do not like ground blinds as a general rule, so it's important to set the blinds out a few weeks early and let the deer become familiar with the ground blind.

I am also rounding up all my gear for the trip and getting the van/trailer ready.  There is so much preparation that goes into a travel hunt.  What are your tips, plans for a big hunt?

Ground Blind Bucket Seat

Cabala's has a nice seat for you able body hunters who share a ground blind with us wheelchair hunters.  This 5 Gallon bucket seat cost $14.99, spins quiet and stores a lot of gear.  Best of all it doesn't take up much room in the blind.

Elusion Camo Mobi-Blind

Are you a mobile blind ?  If your ready to roll for spring turkey, go to Elusion Camo and get your Mobi-Blind.  You will disappear into the background and be more independent without using a traditional groundblind....

I can't wait to receive my new pattern Valley Vaporizer, it's in the mail now.  I plan on using it for spring turkey at the end of April here in PA.

Trekker Ground Blind

Cabelas has a great deal on Trekker Ground Blinds $49.99 for the T-200 model which is big enough for a power wheelchair and additional Hunter. I'm not exactly sure I need another ground blind but for the price it's very difficult to pass up.

These blinds spring open in a second ( it does take a little maneuvering to put it back into the bag )  but, I think they are perfect for hunters with disabilities or hunters with small children . 

Trekker T-200 Blind

• Transportable camouflage concealment
• Larger size for two hunters
• 150-denier polyester shell
• Autumn Leaf camo pattern and UV treated
• Windows on each side of the blind
• Shoot-through screens

The ultimate in transportable camouflage concealment and weather protection. 150-denier polyester shell comes in a realistic Autumn Leaf camo pattern and is UV treated. Windows on each side of the blind prevent game from sneaking in behind you. See-through and shoot-through screens allow you several different setup options. Black interior helps hide inside movements. Carry bag and tie-down stakes included. Imported.

Weight: 14 lbs.
Dimensions: 68"L x 68"W x 65"H.

How to fold a pop up Ground Blind

New Rules for Treestands and Blinds

New rules coming for treestands, blinds - Republican Herald

If you hunt on State Game Lands in Pa, you want to read this article... You can place your stand or blind only two weeks before the season and must remove it two weeks after.

Ameristep Crossbones Blind

We just set up the new Ameristep Crossbones ground blind from Cabelas.  It looks like a great blind and is very wheelchair friendly .  It does not set up as easily as some  Ameristep pop ups (Doghouse, Outhouse),  but it is easier to assemble than a  Primos  Dark Horse.

The ground blind looks really well made and should last several years in the field.  The camouflage should blend into southwestern Pennsylvania's fall woods extremely well.

The all-black interior should hide me sufficiently especially if I dress in all black as I did last year.  I will be writing an in-depth review of several ground blinds before this fall's archery season . 

I plan on setting several blinds out this fall in order to deer hunt from. This way the animals become accustomed to the ground blinds and I have a better opportunity for a close  shot.

Building the Perfect Blind

The NWTF has free online plans for a wheelchair accessible hunting blind. If you have the property to build a permanent blind, I would check this one out.

I like several portable blinds from Ameristep and Primos.  How about you ?

Ground Blinds

Since hunting from a tree stand is no longer an option, I had to find a good ground blind that would accommodate my power wheelchair.  I have three and each has its attributes and issues.

1. Primos Double Bull Blind

In my opinion this is one of the best blinds to hunt from in a power wheelchair.  It's big enough for my wheelchair and an additional Hunter to sit comfortably.  I can position my wheelchair on the back wall, and  my crossbow does not stick out the front window.  The black interior allows me to disappear inside the blind. 

The only problem with this blind is it's very difficult for one person to set up.  The Hubs are tight and it requires a great deal of strength to push out the walls and roof. People tell me this will eventually loosen up, but right now it's a problem. 

If you have the opportunity to set the blind up once and leave it all season, this will not be an issue. This is also the most expensive of the three blinds.

2. Ameristep Doghouse

This blind is a little smaller than the Primos Double Bull, but it does accommodate my power wheelchair and another hunter.  It is one of the easiest ground blinds to set up, in fact it practically sets itself up.  All you basically do is remove it from the bag and the steel supports spring open. 

Even sitting with my wheelchair against the back wall, my crossbow is still very close to the open window.  It does not provide the complete interior camouflage as the double bull blind, even though the inside is also black. 

Practice setting up and taking down this blind, watch the video, otherwise you will have difficulty getting it back into the bag.  Once you understand it, it's very easy.

3. Ameristep Outhouse

The outhouse is the smallest of the blinds and definitely a one-person hunting set up.  My crossbow completely sticks out the front window and I have been busted by a few does that refused to walk in front of the blind.  As with the doghouse it sets up in seconds, takedown is a little confusing if you're not used to it.

I guess the old adage, you get what you pay for is true with ground blinds.  I hope this information helps you in your selection.  If you have other ideas please let me know!  Good luck on your hunting season.