Saddle hunting or box blind? Ironically, sometimes polar opposite approaches can reach the same result. Here’s the case for an enclosed, elevated blind. Once a tactic only popular in the South, the “shooting house” concept has become commonplace thanks to commercial offerings such as The Shadow Hunter shown in the image above. Hunters post these enclosed blinds near food, water, or travel corridors and rely on the blinds’ “permanence” to have deer ignore their presence. Several years ago, I had one built in a remote section of our hunt club, and it has served my family well.
Wake Up, Hunter!
My grandchildren live in Idaho, so when they visit, they must adjust a West Coast sleep schedule to a much earlier East Coast wake-up call. As a result, they rarely stay in my enclosed blind for more than an hour until they doze off. Last fall, I used a Primos Can caller as my youngest slept in his shooting chair. Suddenly, I heard a noise outside the blind and spotted a buck just a few feet away. Immediately, I rousted the 12-year-old from his nap and pointed to the deer. Despite the quick wake-up, the lad made a perfect 30-yard shot with his Excalibur crossbow.
Ideal for Families
Another grandson has severe respiratory problems that are greatly compounded in cold weather. Because the blind is contained, I can use a heater inside to keep temperatures in a moderate range. Also, the whitetail rut can be cold and blustery, and having a weatherproof shelter to hunt from keeps us in the hunt longer. The concealment of the blind is perfect for youngsters who have difficulty holding still, and in a box blind, they don’t have to. Coaching is much easier because sound is suppressed, and family conversation keeps things light as long as it’s in a soft voice.
Inside and Out
The Shadow Hunter blind is an example of intelligent design. The elevated platform allows a deer to see under the blind and helps avoid scent detection, especially in warm temperatures when thermals will rise. Secondly, the “porch” enables the ability to hunt outside the enclosure, and I often choose to sit on my porch where I have increased hearing and enjoy the ambiance of a fall day. Finally, blinds should be built to accommodate archers and firearm hunters with windows that open and shut quietly and allow shots in multiple directions.
For the Shadow Blind website and a brief product video, click here.
