Ground Blind Success, Tree Stand Shift, and Bear Precautions

[Grunt64]

I’ve had solid results hunting from a ground blind Taking one out at 140 yards—great for concealment and scent control, though wind still needs watching. That said, I’m shifting to the tree stand for now.

Two weeks ago, a black bear attacked a 100 lb pig about 700 yards from my blind. I’ve got trail cams out and suspect it was a transient, but I’m not taking chances. I’ll be in the stand with bear spray and a 150gr hollow point loaded with steel shot from my .308 Texan, pushing 330 FPE. If he ever starts up the ladder, I trust the spray will stop him—but I doubt it’ll come to that.

I’ll be running the caller in the same area. Based on past patterns, coyotes tend to swing downwind of the sound, so I expect them to follow the same path. Setup’s dialed in for that.

They have been coming from the woods on the right and breaking cover to cross the open area to get back in woods again to the left, come out to the wood line on the other side. The wind won't be in my favor for another week.

 

[Chief55]

I used to call Black Bears quite often when calling coyotes out west, especially if imitating the sound of a hurt fawn. They like an easy meal just as much as the next guy. I taught a friend to call using a fawn in distress call and he called in a nice Black Beer and shot it on opening day for deer, elk and bear. I used skunk sent as a cover sent. It worked very well.

 

[Ezana4CE]

I’ve had solid results hunting from a ground blind Taking one out at 140 yards—great for concealment and scent control, though wind still needs watching. That said, I’m shifting to the tree stand for now.

Two weeks ago, a black bear attacked a 100 lb pig about 700 yards from my blind. I’ve got trail cams out and suspect it was a transient, but I’m not taking chances. I’ll be in the stand with bear spray and a 150gr hollow point loaded with steel shot from my .308 Texan, pushing 330 FPE. If he ever starts up the ladder, I trust the spray will stop him—but I doubt it’ll come to that.

I’ll be running the caller in the same area. Based on past patterns, coyotes tend to swing downwind of the sound, so I expect them to follow the same path. Setup’s dialed in for that.

They have been coming from the woods on the right and breaking cover to cross the open area to get back in woods again to the left, come out to the wood line on the other side. The wind won't be in my favor for another week.

@Grunt64 Bears don’t need to use ladders. If one climbs your tree, I’m confident it’ll climb right on up the trunk. I hope you don’t have to worry about that. That’s a jacked up situation to be in. Are bears climbing trees occupied by men hunting from stands a periodic occurrence in your neck of the woods?

How’s the coyote hunting from a ground blind been working out for you? Any kills yet? When you mentioned “taking one out at 140 yards” I don’t know if you meant bears, coyotes, or pigs.

 

[Grunt64]

@Grunt64 Bears don’t need to use ladders. If one climbs your tree, I’m confident it’ll climb right on up the trunk. I hope you don’t have to worry about that. That’s a jacked up situation to be in. Are bears climbing trees occupied by men hunting from stands a periodic occurrence in your neck of the woods?

How’s the coyote hunting from a ground blind been working out for you? Any kills yet? When you mentioned “taking one out at 140 yards” I don’t know if you meant bears, coyotes, or pigs.

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, If it comes with in 10 feet of the stand ill hear it with all the dried leaves. I haven't talked to anyone who has had a bear climb their ladder, but YouTube has some. The 140 yards was a coyote from the ground blind, chest shot. I have all ways hunted coyote from a blind, Concealment, Scent Control, and Shot Stability just to name a few advantages. I hunt alone at night, just a bit spooky, gets your blood pumping,lol

 

[Ezana4CE]

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, If it comes with in 10 feet of the stand ill hear it with all the dried leaves. I haven't talked to anyone who has had a bear climb their ladder, but YouTube has some. The 140 yards was a coyote from the ground blind, chest shot. I have all ways hunted coyote from a blind, Concealment, Scent Control, and Shot Stability just to name a few advantages. I hunt alone at night, just a bit spooky, gets your blood pumping,lol

@Grunt64 I get it. Just made it in from a night hunt. I spooked my yote when I turned my torch up too bright. It was either that or my axioms dog who kept standing up while I was trying to prepare to shoot. 140 yards on a yote with an airgun is damn impressive!

I had to look up the bears climbing tree stands. I’d never heard of that. We used to hunt them with hounds. I’ve never hunted them over bait so I didn’t even know that was a thing.

 

[Grunt64]

"Are you running 940nm? That wavelength’s been a game-changer for me in close to mid-range setups—less glow, less risk of spooking. As for that 140-yard shot, I can’t take all the credit. I’m running a ZULUS 5–20x HD LRF, and once it’s dialed in, it’s like cheating—in a good way. No fumbling with a separate rangefinder, no guessing holdover. Just range, adjust, send.

That coyote at 140? Nothing like hearing that solid THUD and watching the eyes go out. Still gives me goosebumps. But moments like that also remind me—when you’re hunting a predator, you’re never just the hunter. This season taught me a hard truth: never underestimate a wild animal, especially a predator. They don’t play by our rules."