It’s that time of year! We’re back out in the field, tucked away in the blind, waiting for that perfect shot. But before you settle in for a long sit, you need to make sure your blind is set up correctly.
The difference between a successful hunt and a busted one often comes down to the smallest details, and one of the most critical—and often overlooked—is how you set your windows.
I recently put together a video detailing a big tip for my fellow turkey hunters: Make sure your windows are set right! Watch the full setup video here:
Here are the two critical rules to follow when preparing your shooting lanes.
1. Keep Your Openings as Small as Possible
The first principle is simple: less is more.
When you look at the inside of your blind, you want to leave the smallest possible openings that still allow you room to shoot. In the video, I show how I use very small, triangular cuts—only four of them open in total [01:10].
- The Goal: You need just enough space for your barrel and sight line. Any extra opening is a weakness.
2. The #1 Rule: Do NOT Let the Sky Show
This is the big tip that truly elevates your stealth. As you’re adjusting your window height, make sure that none of the blue sky is visible [01:38].
Why is this so important?
- Reason A: Turkeys are on the ground. You’re not duck hunting! Your field of vision should be focused strictly on the ground where the turkeys are [02:11].
- Reason B: It’s all about light. Seeing the sky means too much light is entering your blind [02:20].
A ground blind is called a “blind” for a reason. If you let too much light in, the interior of your blind becomes illuminated, which means any movement you make—whether it’s adjusting your gun or reaching for a call—will be easily visible to an approaching gobbler [02:28].
By cutting off the view of the sky, you maximize the contrast between the dark interior of your blind and the bright woods outside, turning your windows into one-way mirrors. This gives you the concealment you need right up until the moment you pull the trigger.
Final Takeaway
When you’re out there, remember the three key points:
- Keep your windows small.
- Keep your blind dark.
- Do not see the sky.
Check out the full video, Turkey Blind Setup – A BIG TIP – Make Sure the Windows are Set Right, on the Otter Creek Redneck channel for a visual demonstration of exactly how to set up those windows and shooting lanes.
Good luck and happy hunting!