Blinds (Natural and Man Made) And Regulations

[Gunowner99]

Okay, let's say that this will be my 1st year deer hunting and I want to hunt the ground because I don't have a tree stand, I am hunting state game lands, and well I need to start somewhere so this would be the easiest entry point to see what goes on.

With that in mind, if I sit on a buncket behind a tree, do I need the 100 sqin of orange around the tree?

If I am behind a pile of sticks, same question, behind a log? Behind some rocks?

I understand if I build a natural material one then yes indeed, but what if I am just trying to conceal my location with naturally occurring objects that I do not move to be there?

It is awfully confusing. Maybe I am asking the wrong question?

[heatheroo]

Okay, let's say that this will be my 1st year deer hunting and I want to hunt the ground because I don't have a tree stand, I am hunting state game lands, and well I need to start somewhere so this would be the easiest entry point to see what goes on.

With that in mind, if I sit on a bucket behind a tree, do I need the 100 sqin of orange around the tree?

No............just the usual personally worn required amount of blaze orange

If I am behind a pile of sticks, same question, behind a log? Behind some rocks?

same answer as above

I understand if I build a natural material one then yes indeed, but what if I am just trying to conceal my location with naturally occurring objects that I do not move to be there?

It is awfully confusing. Maybe I am asking the wrong question?

you are overthinking this. Just go hunting and enjoy yourself.

[Gunowner99]

Ha ha, easy for you to say!! So a tree is not a blind, check.

So none of those "naturally" occurring features are considered a blind?

I do overthink things but I will be the guy in the woods with zero experience mucking it up for everyone and getting fines so I am trying to reduce my idiot footprint! All I need is a bunch of people getting pissed at me the 1st time I am in the woods hunting.

[mpan72]

Ha ha, easy for you to say!! So a tree is not a blind, check.

So none of those "naturally" occurring features are considered a blind?

I do overthink things but I will be the guy in the woods with zero experience mucking it up for everyone and getting fines so I am trying to reduce my idiot footprint! All I need is a bunch of people getting pissed at me the 1st time I am in the woods hunting.

If you are hunting state game land you are not messing anything up.

[mpan72]

If you do not manipulate the surrounding and just stand behind a tree it is not a blind. You will need to be wearing the required amount of orange. The digest is clear on when and how much to wear.

[Gunowner99]

I get you. I'll read it again. What do you mean about state game lands comment you made?

[mpan72]

I get you. I'll read it again. What do you mean about state game lands comment you made?

There are so many hunters on state land, not to mention non-hunters, that there is not much you could do to influence the behavior of the wild animals.

[heatheroo]

If possible, setup so you are uphill from where you parked

Avoid an uphill drag if at all possible. My usual spot in Pike Co. is about a 2 mile drag but is mostly downhill. It’s brutal but that’s part of the game. That being said the doe i shot this year was on private land and was less than 100 yards. That may have been the worst drag I ever had. The doe was ridiculously fat and I had to drag downhill then uphill through multi flora rose (thorns) the whole way. That one tested the “have fun” motto.

There is some good advice in the other posts about setting up on escape routes in the SGLs. For it to work you have to be the first one in the woods and the last one out.

[Gunowner99]

I guess the less the distance the better ha ha! So do people leave a cart at their truck and then grab it of necessary? What do you do with the deer while you are off getting a cart?

With the drag, how do you keep the deer from getting all of the earth inside since I assume you field dress before you drag?

I am assuming people don't park too far away from where they hunt otherwise this could be a hard go?

[mpan72]

I guess the less the distance the better ha ha! So do people leave a cart at their truck and then grab it of necessary? What do you do with the deer while you are off getting a cart?

With the drag, how do you keep the deer from getting all of the earth inside since I assume you field dress before you drag?

I am assuming people don't park too far away from where they hunt otherwise this could be a hard go?

You leave the tagged dear there and get your cart. If you use a drag it will protect the dear from the dirt.