The natural hide

[avator]

We have an acre of wooded area just outside the fenced in area North of the house. It runs up behind the barn. I already blazed an ATV trail through the woods and there is an old raised railroad bed that runs the middle of it with the swamp pond on the left and woods on the right.
About halfways up the RR bed there are some small trees that form an arch over the path. This is where I will make the hide using that arch as the framework. I'll use bushes and fallen branches to finish it off. There are a couple fallen trees running through it to provide seating.
I've added a few pics of it below and will add more as I go. First is a pic heading out the gate. Then a pic leading up to it on the RR bed and next is a closer pic of the hide.

[avator]

Even with what little rain we've had this past week, the swamp pond is at it's lowest level. In the rainy season it fills on both side of the RR bed and attracts alot of the local critters. The old boat in one of the pics floats around when the water rises.
When I first went through the gate this morning I jumped one of the does and her twin yearlings that stay in these woods. Most days we see them in the morning and late afternoon. I don't hunt deer and to be honest, I hope these ones survive the season. We enjoy watching them grow and develop. I didn't get any pics of them because the tablet did not power up in time.

[avator]

On the opposite side of the RR bed is more open and gives clear shots to the ground and trees. This area also gets very wet and marshy.

[avator]

As you could imagine, eyes need to peeled and head on a swivel because this marshy swamp area is laden with things that can cause you harm. Moccasins being #1 on that list.
Next pic is from the woods looking up into the hide. It already provides alot of cover and just needs a little tweaking.
And finally a pic heading back down the RR bed to the house.

[Xraycer]

Nice!

I, too, have never outgrown my enjoyment of playing in the woods.

[avator]

Dude, once it's finished I will enjoy sitting out there and popping things floating in the swamp pond. Even if it's just a bb gun. It ain't always about killin' stuff.

[Xraycer]

Dude, once it's finished I will enjoy sitting out there and popping things floating in the swamp pond. Even if it's just a bb gun. It ain't always about killin' stuff.

I'm thinking a hammock, and learning to shoot from said hammock 

[avator]

LOL... did I mention the mocs? I don't want to get too comfortable.

[Bicycleman]

Sweet!  I have thought of something similar for the woods where I hunt.
Hummm, I wonder what I could build with ROCKS?   
(The name of the community is ROCKVALE!  (Truth.)

[Xraycer]

LOL... did I mention the mocs? I don't want to get too comfortable.

Are they climbers?

[avator]

LOL... did I mention the mocs? I don't want to get too comfortable.

Are they climbers?

Not sure but certain areas of my body hang closer to the ground when I'm laying in a hammock. I can just see things getting all cheeky and junk.   

[chutesnreloads]

Are they climbers? I've many times seen moccasins in tree limbs over the water sunning themselves.
 From the description, bet there's a fair population of skeeters too

[avator]

Wendell.. now that you mention it, I remember someone telling me a story about floating down the river in a canoe and a moc falling off a branch into the boat. He said he almost beat a hole in the bottom of the canoe with the paddle before he got the snake out.
And yes, mosquitoes are thick around here at times. We are also surrounded by cattle, horse and goat farms and those big biting flies are no joke either.
Like I said... lots of things around here that want to eat you.

[Bicycleman]

Self explanatory: 

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Hi Bill.

Thank you for the pictures.


Best Wishes - Tom

[Blowpipe Sam]

Looking good Bill.  The only blind I built this year is under water right now.

[Tater]

Nice set-up Bill.

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Hi Bill.

I'm sure your "Natural Hide" should work out great for you.
I've done the same thing but I called them "brush blinds".
Mine don't have any snakes to contend with.

Best Wishes - Tom

[chutesnreloads]

Think I'd rather deal with mosquitos than those biting flies.
Maybe this thread'll motivate me to action.
We have a fallen cedar tree along side the stock tank been saying for years I would make a hide in.
Aside from the cattle, you never know what'll show up for a drink or to hunt frogs and such

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Hi Bill

We get lots of mosquitoes, deer flies, black flies and other biting insects ..........but not in Fall and Winter. 

They all go away after the first hard freeze and are gone until late May or early June.

When I am out in the blinds it is after all the leaves are down and it is already starting to get cold.

I bring a small amount of charcoal with me for warmth.

I put it in an old coffee can and light it up.


Best Wishes - Tom