Heath Wood
After a hunter has spent many hours scouting to find the right location to place a ground blind and spent additional time cleaning pathways to get to and from the blind quietly, the last thing we want to happen is to arrive at the blind, ready to hunt only to find it shredded to pieces, turned upside down or worst of all, to not find it at all. All of these problems could happen, if for the simple fact that the ground blind was not staked down properly.
Most of today’s ground blinds come with small loops on the bottom of each corner as well as loops on the top of each corner. These are all there for a reason, and that is to tie down the blind so that it stays in place while hunting or until it is time to hunt. The thing that hunters need to consider is if they are staking the blind down for a one time use or to be able to hunt all season. Most ground blinds come with stakes, unfortunately these stakes are usually not the strongest. Some are even made of small wire which is ok for staking down the blind for a few hours while hunting, then pulling them back up to take the blind back home. However, if a hunter is staking down the blind to leave it for an extended period of time, they will want to purchase some stronger stakes, as well as a strong rope.
Once the ground blind is in place, use a hammer to drive heavy duty stakes into all four corners as well as into the sides (if loops are provided there). Spikes need to be 8 to 10 inches long with a 90-degree angle on top or with a plastic cap so that straps or loops cannot pull off during strong winds. After all of the stakes are placed in loops, take a string and attach it to the blind in the upper corners then drive another stake away from the blind around 6 to 8 feet. The next step in securing the blind is to attach string to the stake and repeat this step on all four corners. By putting string attached to the stakes, it keeps the ground blind upright during strong winds or rain. This also allows for all water to run off properly as well as keeps its braces from being broken, fabric torn and most importantly it keeps the blind in place so that when it is time to hunt the blind is ready to go.
Preparing a ground blind needs to be done several weeks before hunting, unless you’re only hunting one time. When getting a ground blind ready, it takes time in the field which can spook deer. By doing all preparation work several weeks before season, this allows time for the area to settle back down to normal as well as allows all human scent that is left behind time to leave the area. Deer will also have time to become familiar with the ground blind in their habitat and will be ready to hunt when the time is right.
