| With the right placement and concealment, using a | | | | swallowed up by the shadow of trees or other tall |
| ground blind can be just as effective as using an | | | | landmarks around you. |
| elevated stand. Deer will rarely spot you if you use | | | | If you know the trail a deer typically follows, don't |
| these tips to conceal your blind. Deer see sharp | | | | set up your blind where the deer will walk straight |
| edges very clearly, so don't set up your blind on a hill | | | | towards it. Set up at an angle to the trail so that the |
| or ridge, where its profile will stand in stark contrast | | | | deer is less likely to see your blind. If possible, |
| with the sky. Set up in an area with background | | | | position yourself so that the deer, following its usual |
| cover that is at least as tall and wide as your blind, | | | | route, will be angled away from or broadside to your |
| for example at the base of a hill, in a dip in the | | | | blind. |
| terrain, or in front of a stand of trees. | | | | Another concealment trick is to set up decoys to |
| Find a good hiding spot where the natural vegetation | | | | distract game and draw their attention away from |
| breaks up the pattern of the landscape, such as a | | | | your blind. Depending on the type of hunting you do, |
| scraggly stand of trees, low-hanging branches, a wild | | | | decoys may or may not be a good option. If the |
| mix of grass and brush, a downed tree, or a large | | | | decoys seem unnatural to a deer, they can work |
| pile of wood or hay. Your hiding place will vary | | | | against you rather than for you. |
| depending on the landscape. If the spot you want to | | | | To keep deer from sniffing you out, check the wind |
| set up your blind lacks natural cover, you can make | | | | direction and set up your blind downwind from where |
| your own. Drag a pile of dead branches over to your | | | | the deer will approach you. Spray your hunting blind, |
| lucky spot to draw attention away from your blind | | | | clothes, and equipment with an odor neutralizer to |
| and to make your blind look less out of place. | | | | further conceal your scent. |
| The cover behind you should be the thick and full. It | | | | If you hunt on private land, the best way to keep |
| should be as tall and wide as your blind and have few | | | | game from balking at the sight of your blind is to set |
| if any "holes"--places where the sky shows | | | | it up well before you plan to hunt. Before long, the |
| through--in order to fully conceal your profile. You | | | | deer will come to accept your blind as a natural part |
| need less cover in front and to the side than in the | | | | of the landscape. They'll walk right past your blind |
| background. Pay attention to the shadow cast by | | | | without a second glance, setting you up for the |
| your blind. If possible, set up so that your shadow is | | | | perfect shot come opening day. |