Noob Question: Overnight in a blind

BullOnParade

BullOnParade

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Eastern Ontario
Okay ... Not totally new to hunting, but never successful. I've been on two trips, with two different friends, one was also green, one experienced, both had somewhere to stay away from the hunting grounds.

My wife and I bought a small plot of our own two years ago in northern ontario, and I'd like to use it for deer this year. The property is heavily wooded, a few trails. We've camped up there a handful of times through the summers and once the winter we bought it, so there's part of the property that is developed as a camp site and likely future build site for a small hunt camp.

My wife is not crazy about me going alone, I'm trying to talk her into it, the alternative is going with my brother, this scenario is for a solo trip ... I have experience with, and equipment for winter camping, cold tenting specifically. I've done solo overnight trips a couple of times, down to -20, so I'm considering equipment for a solo hunt. A thought crossed my mind for deer season this year: could I set up a bivy inside of a hunting blind for overnight sleeping? What challenges would I face, logistical, legal or otherwise?

Specific points I'm thinking about: firearm storage, food prep. Where I park is (best case) a 15 minute hike from the camping site on property, maybe 30 minutes from where I'd probably set up a blind. Any details that might help you help me answer this question, let me know.
 
(part of) the reason she doesn't want me going alone is the distance. We're in Toronto, it's a 6-7 hour drive to the property. I have access to closer spots if it's a day trip, but I want to hunt my own land. While my wife also has her license, our daughter will be less than three months old at season opener. While she can get help with our daughter, she's a worrier.
 
when i bought my property i went to cabelas and bought the alaknak tent and got a wood stove with it. i slept in a cot and the small wood stove was awesome get some hardwood soft wood will burn up to quick and will get cold really quick. i left the tent up all summer and when first snow came took it down. those tents are great and when your done with it just put it on kijiji people are always looking for them. this will get you inside out of the weather and if you get the part that goes on the front it will work for a cook area and extra gear storage. as far as the gun just keep it in a soft case under your cot. it does take 2 people to set up but i think there great to use untill you get a camp built. i take the tent on our moose hunts and sleep 5 people in the large on. i belive there are different sizes. as far as food keep it simple i usually pre cook meals and just warm them up on the wood stove spagetti, stir fries etc easy clean up and takes no time to cook. if you get things set up easily it will be a much more enjoyable time
 
I would not sleep in a hunting blind unless I had good reason to do so. Typically blinds are built at close distances to the kill zone, and I wouldn't want any more scent there than necessary.

Sleep in your car/truck a mile down the road. Get a beefy sleeping bag, add blankets if necessary, and you'll do just fine through the night. Run car heater if necessary to warm up. You can easily warm up in the AM, and drive to your spot.
 
BullOnParade said:
TheCoachZed, great point.
I chalk up being unsuccessful my first season to not enough scent control.
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The biggest part about scent control is wind direction, especially when rifle hunting. Your breath is the breath of a carnivore, something deer are familiar with and know means trouble.

I would agree with the sentiment that I wouldn't want to sleep right where I'm trying to hunt, that's a lot of smell being made at a time when you're not watching the wind (while sleeping, cooking, etc).

Ideally I would want to be far enough away that I'm not concerned about things like noise from car doors or smells. To me, that's at least a few hundred yards from the blind, better yet a km away and either over a hill or across some thick brush.
 
BullOnParade said:
My wife and I bought a small plot of our own two years ago in northern ontario, and I'd like to use it for deer this year.
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I can't really help you with your specific question but I will add that the last two years deer hunts in November, the weather has been BRUTAL! Serious cold (-15C temps for a couple of nights) and snow. (This is the French River area) If you can't keep/stay warm and get dry, it is tough.

Then again, I've shown up a couple of days before the hunt with 15+cms of snow on the ground and three days later, it's gone.

My point, be prepared, the weather can turn on a dime and it can be vicious.
 
I think your fresh baby is more important than this year's hunt. Your woman carried the thing inside her bits for months, time for your turn to put in some work. But then I guess that's why I'm free and single - I don't think right!
 
TheCoachZed said:
I would not sleep in a hunting blind unless I had good reason to do so. Typically blinds are built at close distances to the kill zone, and I wouldn't want any more scent there than necessary.

Sleep in your car/truck a mile down the road. Get a beefy sleeping bag, add blankets if necessary, and you'll do just fine through the night. Run car heater if necessary to warm up. You can easily warm up in the AM, and drive to your spot.
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Exactly what i was about to write . We have 12 foot tower blinds each with a bunk that folds out from the wall and rarely but sometimes someone will spend the night with a propane heater and hunt the morning then come back to the trucks for breakfast .
 
If you spent the night in your blind, make sure you do not make any sounds during the night that might spook animals, such as snoring or cooking.

Also, make sure you have a way to lock your weapon. If a game warden were to stumble across your camping site, he might think you are poaching at night.

David
 
Lookingforantiques said:
I think your fresh baby is more important than this year's hunt. Your woman carried the thing inside her bits for months, time for your turn to put in some work. But then I guess that's why I'm free and single - I don't think right!
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Nah! go hunting else you never will. Set the bar low so you can only improve. You can always make it up to her by bringing venison home and making nice meals ;)
 
huntingfish said:
If you spent the night in your blind, make sure you do not make any sounds during the night that might spook animals, such as snoring or cooking.

Also, make sure you have a way to lock your weapon. If a game warden were to stumble across your camping site, he might think you are poaching at night.

David
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Doesn't need to be locked, just needs a case. Even a gun sock will do.
 
I would consider camping where you are parking. Either in your vehicle or a tent. Use a buddy heater for heat, but turn off when you sleep. Get a good sleeping bag.
 
huntingfish said:
If you spent the night in your blind, make sure you do not make any sounds during the night that might spook animals, such as snoring or cooking.

Also, make sure you have a way to lock your weapon. If a game warden were to stumble across your camping site, he might think you are poaching at night.

David
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Plus you have to think about your own 'calls of nature' and how you manage them through the night and in the area of the blind.

Those can be a definite warning to any wildlife as well as mark your blind location as something to be wary about for future use after they have passed through it.

+1 for something local for overnight away from the blind.
 
Suther said:
Doesn't the law say something like "enclosed on all sides"? Which means you'd need to tie the gun sock closed, or use a zip tie of something?
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What would differ from sleeping in a tent ? I recreate in bear country and the mag is full at night. :)

Grizz
 
Grizzly Adams said:
What would differ from sleeping in a tent ? I recreate in bear country and the mag is full at night. :)

Grizz
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Aren't you in the west though? Alberta I want to say? My understanding is Ontario (and their CO's) are pretty anal about their rules regarding firearms being encased after shooting light. I want to say I have heard (read?) a few stories on here from seemingly reputable people who have talked about things like walking back to the truck in the dark, only to have a CO waiting for them at the truck to check their gun is cased. (OF course, I'm not in Ontario so I could be mistaken...?)
 
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