Lesson Learned

[tpack]

I learned a lesson about pop up blinds yesterday.I had not even planned on bow hunting but when the tempertature dropped to 48 degrees I couldn`t stand it. I got to the lease at 12:30 and had it set up in some back in some trees close to my feeder in less than 30 minutes . The wind was perfect for the set up or I wouldn`t have even gone. I came back at 3:30 and waited. Feeder goes off at 5:30and sure enough 15 minutes before it goes off 3 bucks that I have on camera everyday are spotted through the trees. They know something is up instantly.THey check me out for 2 or 3 minutes and turn around and walk another direction. A doe come in 5 minutes later and does the same thing.Then two more does come in and blow for about 2 minutes then leave. Then 2 more bucks from another direction get spooked and run off.I finally learn my lesson after 8 deer won`t come to feeder . I take the pop up blind down in less than three and I am on my way back to camp.No deer ever got my wind .I had done everything to be scent free as I could .The blind was not brushed in but it was set back in some brush .I set the blind up last year and threw corn on the ground 125 yards(gun season) away and they would come in the first day but were aware of its presence.They will tolerate something new at a distance but not up close at all. I thought this was probably the results I was going to get but I couldn`t stand sitting at home yesterday with the weather being like it was. Hopefully since none of the deer busted me from my scent they will be back and no harm will be done. But I was right about deer moving yesterday, I watched 3 more bucks and 10 does from camp. First time of the year to go hunting and it was awsome just getting to be in the woods.

[Atfulldraw]

you should have left it up -- they will get used to it.

and the way the weather is this year, you're gonna need it!

[Mike Javi Cooper]

Wonder how many of y'all make sure the blind is scent free as well....

[Mike D]

I agree with Rod, should left it up. Most deer will get used to it within a couple of weeks.

[gofish24]

i've never had much luck like the guys on tv who set up their pop ups and then hunt out of them a few hours later and kill. i set mine up at least a week in advance and always brush them in.

[Rockpit TX]

I have used a POPUP for about 6 years now, and I have found the Key is BRUSHING it in. You need to BREAK UP the outline of your blind. It makes a very big difference. I HAVE Set up my blind, and Hunted in it an HOUR later, and have harvested a 6 point, and many does and spikes, cause I hunt for meat. And with this cold weather I will be taking it with me to have on Standby. I have plenty confidence with the blind, But you just have to take the time and brush it in. Good Luck with the rest of your season

[tpack]

Didn`t want to take the chance and spook deer off for gun season. Fisrt time I had went with bow in 4 years. Think I will wait till after season and put up a good tree stand for next year. I had been shooting the bow just in case I got the itch.We have a blind you can shoot a bow out of with the feeder at 40 yards, so I will probably use it till next year. I really wanted to shoot a doe for some jerky. Here is a picture of two of the bucks that came within 50 yards yesterday .They have been coming in like clock work since the day I put feeder up in june.

[Rockpit TX]

If that was my place, I would have my POPUP in that Brush Clump on left side of picture, with a Hole the size of the window for shootin, and a clean trail into my Popup. Kinda hard to explain, I may need to come Demonstrate

[RdRdrFan]

I put all of mine out at least a month before the season starts. They never give it a second look.

[Jerry Worley]

I put all of mine out at least a month before the season starts. They never give it a second look.

I had mine out for two weeks in Gatesville area. I saw 10 doe and everyone of them stopped to look at. In fairness, I did not brush in. I seem to do better just backing into a cedar.

[flywise]

Since it was at a feeder they had already been going to for awhile they noticed it right away. brushing it in would have helped but in a couple days you would have gotten a shot. Iwill from time to time put one up in a stand of oaks, not brush it in and hand throw corn out. it will usually have deer come in in a day or two. I think it works because it is not in a spot they see everyday like a feeder