blinds for elk

[82ndreddevil]

So this year for archery elk I am thinking of trying out a blind for when I sit at water holes or watch a trails. Nothing too big, something simple. Possibly something as simple as para cord tied across a couple trees with camo netting or fabric draped over it. I have never really tried a blind for big game and I have heard that you need to leave it out for a few weeks so that the animals get used to it, otherwise they will notice it immediately which defeats the purpose. What do you guys think? I was thinking of using the military style netting instead of purchasing the realtree burlap sheets you see in Cabelas or at Sportsmens. The advantage I see with the burlap is that it is lighter to carry if I just want to keep it with me. I have an abundance of military camo netting but its heavy and seems to me it will need a lot of additional vegetation added to it, otherwise it looks like a wall of camo netting. Any ideas or opinions will be greatly appreciated!

[Lefty]

Hunting out of a box blind at waterholes was my first experiences elk hunting. I use the same blind for bear hunting in griz country
I sat in this Ameristep blind mostly in pouring rain, burlap isn't going to help you then $100

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Elk dont seem to mind
I just left the blind 10 minutes earlier. I m guessing Im less than 600 yards away. I had a nice 6x6 stick his nose inside. Cows and calves rubbing their sides. Bulls kick dirt on the sides, huge 350 plus bulls walk less than 20 yards down wind While I was in the blind.

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[lamrith]

I just picked up a "used" ameristep blind here for $100, used as in he took it out of box years ago and setup in his yard once to see how it worked... They are out there, keep checking your local hunting forums, craigslist, etc..

Even new you can find pop-up blinds for under $200. Well worth it to have good cover from weather (both good and bad) and be comfortable so you can stay on stand all day.

[82ndreddevil]

Thanks for the reply guys! I will admit that those pop ups do appeal to me a bit. My only issues have to do with how far I'll be having to haul it on my back. If I do happen to find that gold mine where I will set up and sit there Day after day I'd be leaning more in that direction. But I'm still trying to locate a true hot spot, a trail or water hole that is consistent. That's why I'm leaning towards the portable idea. Thanks again, nice pics!

[Lefty]

,.... That's why I'm leaning towards the portable idea. Thanks again, nice pics!

I was a terrible turkey hunter, I know if I would have packed in a blind there would have been more dead turkeys. I have a tough time staying still

A blind just makes it more comfortable for me The one year with all the rain, I spent a lot of time hunting that otherwise I would have been in the truck or tent

[82ndreddevil]

Oh I hear you there on the moving around too much, I'm guilty of that ha ha. I am actually considering something like that for my dad since he prefers to sit on the same real estate day in and day out. Also for my dad I won't have to pack it in too far which is a plus. But my question is, do you set it up right before the hunt or do you set it out a week or two prior?

[Lefty]

The OSB blind get set up over one place and sits. I know in the past it has been used by another hunter a couple times. The law allows us in Idaho to set out blinds 10 days before the season. I had set out the blind each year within those 10 days
The pop up blind I moved around a bit. Sometimes because of the wind-direction.
Elk are use to changes and seem to let things pass
I have only seen elk come into a freshly placed blind three times. While some cows seemed to check out the blind, calves showed some interest but bulls seem to ignore all three times they elk just charged in like the blind was part of the landscape.
Ive posted about this before But Ive had big herds with in 50 yards and much closer in camp at night. A white pickup and a tent

with all that said,.. when possible Im going to let my blind sit because I dont know how many didnt stick around because of placement
With t he box blind It was easy to check for track on trails leading in. I never saw where elk turned around within sight of the blind
The pop up blind it was guaranteed as soon as I left the blind elk walked by sometime later that day

[Lefty]

I should also mention Ive set the large blind at 4 water troughs over 6 years 17, 17,22 and 27 yards. the pic is of the 27 yards location
The hub blind was set as 14, 17 and 22 yards from trails

[82ndreddevil]

Thanks for the info Lefty. you sold me, I'm looking for one now.

[CurlyTail]

I have been reluctant to build a natural blind because I don't want to tell other hunters where a great spot is. I would consider putting one up for a week, when I am there, and taking it down at the end of the week. I would favor a natural blind over a pop up if you cannot put it up early and leave it for some time, although it may not matter.