Thoughts on using a ground blind with shotgun?

[That7MagDude]

I use a ground blind when I'm hunting turkey with my longbow and don't feel the slightest guilt. If I'm using shotgun I just camo up and sit against a tree like everyone else. Now this weekend I'm taking my 6 year old with me and as anyone with young boys knows, sitting on the cold hard ground without moving is beyond impossible for anything over 2 minutes. Was pondering popping up the blind for the two of us but a part of me feels dirty using the shotgun out of the blind. Am I alone in this or is this a common conundrum in the turkey world?

 

[Taudisio]

I use a ground blind when I'm hunting turkey with my longbow and don't feel the slightest guilt. If I'm using shotgun I just camo up and sit against a tree like everyone else. Now this weekend I'm taking my 6 year old with me and as anyone with young boys knows, sitting on the cold hard ground without moving is beyond impossible for anything over 2 minutes. Was pondering popping up the blind for the two of us but a part of me feels dirty using the shotgun out of the blind. Am I alone in this or is this a common conundrum in the turkey world?

I am taking a first time turkey hunter and his three year old this Saturday. We will be doing the exact same thing. I have no issues with it as I am trying to ensure he and his kid have an awesome experience. It’s more fair to the turkey than shooting them out of the roost, or with a rifle, so there’s that.

 

[Wheels]

I strictly hunt out of ground blinds for turkeys now. I use archery equipment but have used a shotgun in a blind before. You still have to get the birds into range, so not sure how it’s different than hiding by a tree. Plus, I can enjoy my coffee and browse Rokslide when it’s slow…

 

[rookieforever33]

If anything a ground blind makes it harder. True that it hides some motion but it also blocks your view, your hearing, and makes it hard to relocate 100 yards away to move in on hung up toms. You can really mess up a bird sneaking in and spook it also. Hunt away, guilt free. Just because its sitting doesn't mean its easy.

 

[Jack321]

Young kids fidget. Go with the ground blind.

Took my 2 kids out for youth season. My son can't sit still, Gound Blind worked like a charm.

One day was raining, we were dry. Another day was colder, so I had a heater.

I brought coloring books, snacks, drinks, tablets with ear phones (much to my disliking) and even my wifi hot spot. They csn only sit for an hour or so and watch the grass grow before they become bored.

With kids. Stick with the ground blind. You'll be glad you did when they're fidgeting.

And remember when hunting with kids, it's about them and their experience, not you. You're already hooked, the key is getting them hooked (if you want a hunting partner for life) and if they're miserable, and your pushing them to do something they don't want to do, they'll end up hating it and only do it because you like it....for a while before they give it up all entirely.

 

[Honyock]

I would definitely use a ground blind with kids. I usually use a ground blind when turkey hunting on our place (private land). In fact, my son and I doubled up yesterday on two toms from a ground blind. As I have gotten older, comfort has moved on up on my list while turkey hunting. They are a lot more comfortable and also great in the rain. I've had no issues killing turkeys from a ground blind.

 

[DWinVA]

I used a blind w/ my recurve & shotgun both guilt free. Now I mainly run & gun w/ the shotgun w/o the extra hassle of a blind. I do recommend ear plugs if shooting a shotgun in a blind. I have left ear hearing issues after killing a long-beard w/ a shotgun from my blind.

God Bless.

 

[Tmac]

Blinds and shotguns go together like peanut butter and jelly for Turkey. We use them along known travel paths from roost to feeding, first and last thing in the day. Run and gun the rest of the time.

 

[dtrkyman]

In that instance of course, I rarely hunt from a blind, but got a bird last year in mosquito infested drizzle, two thermacels going and zero mosquitoes coming in!

 

[Esteban]

Blinds and shotguns go together like peanut butter and jelly for Turkey. We use them along known travel paths from roost to feeding, first and last thing in the day. Run and gun the rest of the time.

I dont think you're supposed to put PB and J on a turkey....blinds are cool though

 

[juju]

It's common. I kust hunted the way I would if I were doing a quick morning hunt. And remember you're out to have fun with the kid. It's more like when you were a kid yourself playing cowboys and Indians. We're lifelong hunters because we love being in the woods, not because of dead critters.

My hyper 5yo had no trouble sitting still when he saw a flock of Jake's with a long beard in two cross that paved road and walk to thirty yards, tho. They had his attention.

ETA: by that point he was tired of camo and just wearing a gray T-shirt.

 

[OneGunTex]

Killed my first turkey out of a wooden box blind. Didn't realize "wear camo" meant ALL camo, so was told to sit in the blind and hang my hand out the window with a box call once or twice.

Highly doubt that bird came to my "calling". He just wandered by and I killed him hahaha

 

[Zdub02]

As mentioned - you're hunting with a kid so take the blind. It'll fun for you both and he can play on the ground if the action is slow. Hope y'all have some luck this weekend

 

[bnsafe]

go for it. whats the difference in that vs sitting in one for rifle deer? or in a treestand for that matter. if its legal its ethical an fine.
my grandson shot his first out of a blind last weekend and he would not have been able to without it. Im thinking bout putting mine out today for next week. I typically dont but my lease is small enuf I cant run and gun so why not go out an sit in a chair and be comfortable.