Ground Blind for rifle question

[woody1975]

We have one of the guys in our group that had back surgery a couple of months ago and has been really pushing with therapy to be able to go hunting with us up north. Long story short, he was told he could shoot a .243 at the most (which is fine, cause we have killed tons of deer with them). His Doctor told him that he does not want him in a deer stand though, so he is going to use a ground blind and I was wondering what the law is with regards to ground blinds on public land? Note the area we hunt does not have a ton of pressure, so we will not have a lot of people to worry about, but am not sure what laws are in place?

Thanks for your help,

DL

[mnguy152]

will i dont know what the law is in mn with that but. I would get a blaze cap for it or put enough blaze oranage on it so everyone would know. just for his safety sake.

[DonBo]

Seems to me the rule book says that orange needs to be visible for 360 degrees around the blind. I've always just hung an old orange coat or jacket above mine.

[nofishfisherman]

Most blinds should have little blaze orange tabs on each side, at least the few I've used did. I'd make sure those are visible and then I also always hang something blaze from a tree above the blind or drape it over the top of the blind.

Even in a low pressure are blinds make me nervous. I was hunting with a friend 4-5 years ago and I knew exactly where he was set up with his blind but because of a light dusting of snow that was falling that afternoon it covered the blind and it completely blended into the background. There was no way of seeing him even if you were looking for him. Since then I always make sure to have something hanging above me that can't be so easily obscured.

[mntatonka]

I don't believe there is a law in place for orange on a blind. I don't see anything in the rulebook anyway. I know it had been discussed to pass such a law, but I don't think it's happened yet.

So legally speaking, you don't have to put orange on your blind. However, I believe you still legally need to be wearing orange while in the blind.

[mwal]

MN or WI ? In WI you need the 144 sq in visible from all directions same as your jacket. MN I do not know

Mwal

[chasin_walter20]

Do any of these laws for ground blinds also apply for private land? We have a couple citiots that recently bought 80 acres that borders the southwest corner of my property and last season were sitting in camo ground blinds in the middle of the alfalfa field.

[nofishfisherman]

Do any of these laws for ground blinds also apply for private land? We have a couple citiots that recently bought 80 acres that borders the southwest corner of my property and last season were sitting in camo ground blinds in the middle of the alfalfa field.

I'm unaware of any specific law in MN regarding blaze on ground blinds regardless of public or private. In my mind its really more a rule of common sense. Its in your best interest to be seen by other hunters.

If a rule were to exist I would assume it wouldn't matter if you are on public or private land. The blaze orange requirement for clothing doesn't distinguish between private or public land so why would it be different for ground blinds?

[mntatonka]

MN or WI ? In WI you need the 144 sq in visible from all directions same as your jacket. MN I do not know

Mwal

I was referring to Minnesota, guess I didn't state that though.

[harvey lee]

I use some cloth material and put it on each side of my ground blind during rifle season. I have used the blaze orange vests one can buy for cheap as it stands out and I would like to know someone will see the blind in the woods even if I am on private property. Some fool on the road could take a crack at a deer in the field with me in the blind.

Safety first no matter what the laws suggests for a blind on the ground. heck I have 1 stand on legs 10ft in the air and I have blaze orange on that also as where it is located, people like to drive by the field and take shots at deer while I am sitting between the road and the end of the field.

[woody1975]

Thanks to all and I agree, safety is priority, and we will be using something, most likely a cheap blaze vest on each side!

DL

[deerminator]

I put a big x made out of blaze orange duck tape on each side of my blinds during gun season. Very easy to see and deer aren't supposed to see it the same way we do so not so visible to them.

[pikerliker]

We have one of the guys in our group that had back surgery a couple of months ago and has been really pushing with therapy to be able to go hunting with us up north. Long story short, he was told he could shoot a .243 at the most (which is fine, cause we have killed tons of deer with them). His Doctor told him that he does not want him in a deer stand though, so he is going to use a ground blind and I was wondering what the law is with regards to ground blinds on public land? Note the area we hunt does not have a ton of pressure, so we will not have a lot of people to worry about, but am not sure what laws are in place?

Thanks for your help,

DL

I sent an e-mail to the DNR asking this exact question 2 years ago. I was told that there was no requirement for orange on a blind but that it would be wise to do so! I clipped a blaze orange vest to the top of mine and made sure I could see it from 360.

[ClownColor]

After almost getting a clip thru my blind and my body...I'll never sit in one again unless its covered in orange. Deer won't care and it'll probably hide your movement more since you're also wearing orange.