In Texas, whitetail hunting mainly consists of corn feeders and box blinds. Whether it’s souped-up or basic, a box blind provides comfort and more freedom of movement compared to ground blinds or tree stands. Hunting out of a box blind can be very forgiving.
Trust me, I get it. It’s nice to be able to have the wind blocked and windows closed on a very frigid day. Or to have your cough partially muffled by insulated walls. With that said, it’s easy to fall into the routine of going to the same blind every hunt. If this is you, I’m going to suggest that you have the “box blind blues.”
The Box Blind Trap
Let’s say it’s your first year on a new deer lease. You’ve spent weekends preparing for the upcoming season by setting up your blinds and feeders, finding the most promising looking locations. On opening day you go to your favorite spot and sure enough, you spot a big buck but don’t get an opportunity to harvest him. That encounter may have you returning to the same spot hunt after hunt. As you continue to hunt the same location big buck sightings dwindle, much less anything worth killing. Box blind blues, indeed.
You may be on a lease where you’re only allowed to hunt one specific spot/blind. When the buck sightings come to a halt it’s time to change tactics to give yourself a better chance. I’m not talking about moving locations, I mean making the most out of your current location. When this is the case, it’s time to think outside the box to break out of the box blind blues.
Break the Cycle
I fell into the same trap before and it took me a long time to snap out of it. However, I did finally change my ways, and here are a few methods that you can try too.
- Move the blind! It could be to a completely different side of the feeder, or ten yards in one direction. The goal here is to get a different line of sight. Just because you’re hunting a feeder doesn’t mean you’re going to shoot the buck AT the feeder.
- Get high! If your box blind isn’t elevated and you’re in an area to do so, raise that sucker. Being able to see longer distances and over small shrubs/bushes can make a lot of difference in success or failure.
- Trim, Trim, Trim! Break out the loppers, chainsaw, or brush hog to open up new lanes. It’s time to get the bush that’s been a nuisance out of the way. Who knows, maybe that bush has been blocking your line of sight of a deer trail.
- Forgo the box blind and hunt from a pop-up, tree stand, or bush! Trick the deer by setting up a new hunting location. While they are staying away from the box blind, you’re in a position to ambush them on their route.
Simple little changes can make all the difference. Hopefully, this gets you thinking about your situation and set-up for the future season(s), and leads you out of your box blind blues and into success.
