Ground blinds are what their name suggestions--hunting locations on the ground that are blind to hunted animals. Setting up a blind on the ground is more difficult than a tree blind, since the ground is where many animals will be looking for predators or other suspicious activity. Ground blinds are a common hideaway for hunters, particularly in meadows, prairies or when nearby trees are strong enough to support a tree blind. There are several things you can do to make your ground blind more successful.
Proper Location
Where you set up your blind is critical. You should ideally set it up within close-to-moderate range of the trails the hunted animals will use or locations they are likely to visit. However, you don't want to position yourself directly on a trail, since this will be easier for the game to spot. You will want to find a location that has some form of cover, regardless of whether you are using a natural ground blind or a ground blind tent, and should locate yourself downwind from where you expect the game to present itself. If your scent gets picked up by the wind and carried to your prey, your ground blind will be useless--they'll stay away from you before you get a chance to see them.
Gravitate to Private Land
Whenever possible, using private land for ground blind hunting is the preferred way to go. You won't have to be concerned with other hunters, and you can set up a purchased ground blind and keep it in the same place for several days. This can save you time on the setup and tear down. There are various advantages and disadvantages to natural vs. pre-made ground blinds, and one of the advantages to purchased blinds is their increased range, with many offering a 360-degree view of the landscape and making it easier for you to aim and shoot your arrows.
Consider the Sunlight
If you are using a ground blind with a roof, you will have to be cognizant of the fast-approaching darkness that will occur inside the blind. Expect to lose an hour of sunlight at the end of the day due to the reduce visibility in these blinds. Unfortunately, this isn't something that is easily fixed--having a light or even bright paint inside the blind will catch the eye of potential game and scare them away. If you are hunting in the winter, you may want to consider using a natural blind without a roof, or getting out early in anticipation of the reduced visibility. In many cases, this may be a consequence you'll have to deal with, as purchased ground blinds feature better protection from the elements than either a tree or natural ground blind, making it your only option for a lengthy stay in the woods.
