Things to Consider Before Setting Your Blind

A hard-sided blind can be an incredible asset to a hunter, but proper setup is critical to success. Placing one in the wrong spot can leave you skunked or even worse — spooking every deer that comes your way. Before you decide on a location for your hunting blind, consider these tips for a solid strategy.

Consider Food Sources

Food plots and other feeding areas can be excellent spots for getting deer in front of you consistently. But be mindful that if you get nabbed going in and out of a blind here a few times, you could spoil your setup for the season. If you decide to put your hard-sided blind by a food source, ensure you have solid entry and exit routes that allow you to avoid being spotted when deer are feeding.

Find the Pinch Points

Areas where deer naturally funnel between obstacles make some of the best ambush sites for setting up a permanent blind. Look for areas where woods narrow between fields or creeks keep deer on a narrow path between the water and the woods. Whether deer are traveling to a nearby food source or back to a bedding area, pinch points are usually highly trafficked.

Play the Wind

Even though well-made hard-sided blinds provide excellent scent control, you should still consider the wind when setting one up. Position your blind where you can go undetected in as many wind directions as possible, based on how you know deer are traveling the area.

Gather Intel

If you’re unsure where deer are moving on your property and when, take some time to gather intel before setting up our blind. Put boots on the ground to pinpoint travel routes and use trail cameras to help you to determine patterns and know the best time of day to sit in those spots.