question to you antelope bow hunters

[whs]

I drew an archery antelope tag here in Utah. I have been scouting and found a couple already that I would like to pursue. My question to you is this, When you set up a double bull blind on the water, how do the antelope react to the blind? Does it need to be dug in or covered in brush?

 

[mtmiller]

I killed two last year with my double bull. One set up the blind was very close to the waterhole in some higher grass, but not exactly dug in. I ended up killing one at three yards.

A couple days later I set up the blind in a new location mainly just so I could see what was in the area. It was probably the worst place to set one up if you were hoping to keep it inconspicuous from the lopes, but it worked that morning. Two lopes came in and one left. Neither gave the blind a second look.

No shots of just the set up, other than in my vanity shot.

Good luck.

 

[jims]

If it is a dry year and there are no other water sources the antelope will likely still come in to the waterhole even with a recently constructed blind. I have had does and fawns practically drink as I was putting up a blind. Obviously if there are quite a few water sources the smart old timer bucks will water elsewhere. The antelope will obviously get acclimated to your blind more quickly if it blends in.

If you happen to hunt during rainy weather you will be screwed no matter how long your blind has been up! They will water out of puddles...although a few may still wander in to the waterholes.

I usually try to set my blinds up several weeks to a month in advance of the season so I don't have to dig a pit or camo them in. Some areas or states have regulations limiting blinds to day use, no pits, etc so be sure to check the regs! I usually hunt in Wyo where the wind usually blows 380 days a year and never have used portable blinds. I custom make my own and they have withstood the test of time. They are likely less prone to flapping, or being torn to shreads, by wind, cattle, and the elements!

 

[Verticalslope]

Which unit did you draw?