WHICH BLIND IS BEST?
The best blind is one that hides the hunter from his quarry but does not hinder his movements while observing game or preparing to shoot. Fortunately, most made-for-hunting blinds on the market today meet these basic requirements. Also, they are easy and quick to erect, and once you get the hang of it, easy to take down, stow in their carrying case and tote from site to site.

It is important that a blind offer ample room for your style of hunting. Blinds 60 to 68 inches square allow plenty of elbowroom for taking aim or drawing bows and are sufficient for one person and his gear. Smaller versions are available but can be too restrictive over long periods. For two hunters, a blind that is 78 inches or even 80 inches square would be more than adequate.

A blind should also have plenty of head space. In most cases, aiming and shooting takes place from a sitting position, but at times it is necessary to kneel or stand, especially with a bow, and the best blind should be big enough to allow those options. It is best and most convenient to go no larger than necessary.

In most cases, the shape of the blind is irrelevant. Some are domed or square, while others are teepee or pyramid shaped.

Some thought should be given to the blind's exterior design and color. While turkeys seem to ignore familiar blinds, at first the birds will be curious, so a camouflage pattern that blends in with the natural surroundings is best.

Fortunately, modern portables are offered in most popular patterns, so take your pick. Some blinds come with "leaf-relief" edging to help break up their silhouette, but the important point is to pick one with a color or camouflage pattern that best matches the natural cover being hunted.

A good blind should have windows or shooting ports on all four sides that can be opened or adjusted to the situation at hand. As a rule, I usually have the window facing the primary shooting area (facing the decoys, food plot, etc.) open only enough to allow good visibility and unhampered shooting, and the side windows open just enough, perhaps an inch or two, to allow some peripheral visibility. Keep in mind, however, that the more windows left open the more light entering the blind, increasing the odds for detection by approaching game.

The light problem may be reduced, however, if the blind is equipped with a dark inner shell, sometimes referred to as a "shadow guard" or "scent guard." Most of these "guards" are made of charcoal-impregnated cloth similar to the popular scent-eliminating clothing.

Unlike deer, turkeys lack olfactory senses, but the black inner lining is equally important in spring because it greatly reduces light reflecting into the blind, keeping the interior dark and eliminating shadows.