Even so, the exposed hunter can sometimes be a little too obvious to approaching birds, but blinds offer total concealment. When it comes to bagging spring gobblers, my experiences have rarely been textbook perfect. There always seems to be at least one or two inquisitive hens on watch, and on more than one occasion I get caught moving at the worst possible moment and inevitably pay the price.

I know better, but turkeys also seem to possess X-ray vision, and at the least have an uncanny ability to detect human presence no matter how much we strive to do everything right.

BLIND ADVANTAGES
Blinds eliminate all the uncertainties by hiding the human silhouette from view. That is a major advantage not only for bowhunters but for shotgun hunters, even those capable of sitting like a stone for an hour, because at some point they must move, or things don't go as planned.

Blinds are especially useful for hunters like me who lack the discipline to sit perfectly still for long periods of time.

Bowhunters find portable blinds indispensable because they make it possible to rise and draw without being seen.

Blinds also offer another advantage. During the four years I have used them almost exclusively during the spring season, I have noticed that turkeys seem to be oblivious to the presence of a well-placed blind. They may be curious at first, but they quickly dismiss the threat and soon ignore a blind completely. This opens the door to various hunting areas that otherwise might not be possible to hunt any other way.

BLIND BUT NOT DEAF!
The turkey's keen eyesight is legendary, a fact many hunters learn the hard way, but their hearing is also a primary asset against predators and impending danger. Turkeys are not ignorant or oblivious to sounds that may come from a blind. These birds are always on the alert. Once, while sitting in a blind with birds 20 yards away, I accidentally shuffled my feet in dry leaves and they immediately dispersed. For this reason, I take a few minutes to clear away dry leaves, twigs or other debris that might cause alarm after erecting a blind.

The same is true when it comes to sitting in a blind: Get comfortable and plan ahead for the long haul. I used to sit on the ground when I first started using blinds, but doing so became uncomfortable in many situations and I found myself moving or shifting periodically at inopportune times. Sitting on the ground also failed to provide the best shooting angle, or even restricted me from taking aim in some cases.

I now use a portable camping chair made of canvas with an aluminum frame, complete with backrest. It is light and easy to transport, quiet and comfortable, allowing me to sit practically motionless as long as necessary. Equally important, it positions me higher off the ground, increasing my shooting options. Set at a slight angle, the chair permits me to rest my shotgun across my knees, allowing me to lift and aim in a single upward motion, minimizing movement. Other than the blind, the chair is one of the best new hunting investments I have made.