Eye-Level Hunting

More whitetails are taken from tree stands than from the ground by a good margin. That doesn't mean tree stands are the only way, or necessarily the best way to hunt whitetails or any other animal.

For the last couple of years, I have been using ground blinds more and more. Ground blinds offer several advantages. Most of my hunting is done near my home in California, which offers wide-open spaces and few trees. For those not partial to heights or simply unable to climb a tree, ground blinds may be your only option. I spend a good portion of the hunting season atop high ridges glassing hillsides, and when I find a good spot, I am on my way with a blind. Ground blinds offer portability, concealment and relief from the elements, which puts you at an advantage, especially when turkey hunting. Turkeys' eyes are way too good to risk trying to set up and fool an old gobbler within bow range. With a blind, however, not only can I maneuver to call, I can use a rangefinder and even pick up my bow and draw without being detected.

Double Bull's new T2 in Predator's Deception gives you less--less weight to carry and less roof outline to worry about hiding from wary whitetails. The T2 comes standard with a black-backed interior to keep you dry and conceal your movements and a huge pass-through net, and five additional window openings offer 360 degrees of shooting. The T2 easily accommodates two archers six-feet-and-under shooting modern equipment. The frontal section of pass-through netting will take 20 to 30 shots before requiring factory repair.--DD