I’ve had the good fortune of hunting a variety of wild game for over six decades. Much of my early deer hunting involved hounds chasing deer toward an elevated deer stand and gradually evolved into stalk and spot, then to portable tree stands or possibly a deer blind on a trailer. However, as I introduced my children and, more recently, grandchildren to the outdoors, I realized modern kids move around and talk a lot when trying to sneak through the forest.
Over time I realized that there are two distinct ways to harvest a deer. One way, and what I consider the most difficult, is to use the wind, sun, and terrain to stalk close enough to one’s target in hopes of getting a good shot. The second and easiest method is to position yourself along a trail or near a feeding/bedding area and wait for your target to come to you.
How long one can maintain their ambush position is directly related to several issues involving comfort and confidence.
Types of Blinds
- Pop-ups – I learned that a portable pop-up blind is a great way to conceal movement, but these lightweight options have a few drawbacks. They work okay for fair weather, but their shortcomings become apparent on cold, rainy days.
- Permanent Stands – These are great options on an established property with fields and access roads when enough scouting and time have elapsed to accurately predict the local whitetail movements.
- Trailer Blinds – Another newer option is to take a small trailer, build a suitably sized blind, or find a manufactured blind and secure it with welds, straps, or strong bolts. I’ve seen some fair-looking specimens made from wood over the years, but few can compare to some of the modern manufactured trailer blinds. There are several scenarios where a trailer-mounted blind might be a good option. For example, what if you had a new lease with lots of fresh cutovers and limited scouting time before the season began? I believe that this would be the perfect scenario for a portable trailer-mounted setup that you could use as a mobile scouting unit. Though you could test your DIY skills, you might want to check out the deer blind on a trailer offerings from established hunting blind manufacturers.
Trailer Blinds
Standard (Economy)
A 5’x6′ model is designed for off-road use and has five windows for gun hunters. In addition, optional bow windows are available for this fully carpeted economy model.
- 2″ Trailer Hitch
- 26 gauge metal exterior
- Square tube steel structure
- Torsion axle for a smooth ride
- Carpeted floor, wall, and ceiling
- Insect and rodent proof
- Stabilizing jacks
- 12″ tires and wheels
Elevated Trailer Blind (Economy)
An Elevated trailer blind positions the hunter’s eye level at seven feet and comes in two off-road sizes, 4’x6′ and 5’x6′. However, the 6’x6′ model trailer includes 15″ wheels and is DOT approved. Bow windows are also an optional feature on some easy-to-tow models.
- 3 Stabilizing jacks
- 2″ Trailer ball
- Torsion axle
- Designed for rough roads
- Diamond-plate steel floor
- 12″ Wheels & tires
- ATV-friendly
- Side entry via ladder
- Carpeted walls, floors
Off-road economy trailer blind options allow hunters to quickly and safely move their blinds across the roughest terrain and reposition them anywhere on their hunting property. In addition, these blind options afford a degree of comfort and scent control that any gun or bow hunter can appreciate.
A bonus feature of some two-person 6’x6′ elevated economy model is that it can be removed from its trailer and used as a stationary blind by adding the five, ten, or fifteen-foot tower option. The 6’x6′ option also has a DOT-approved trailer with 15″ wheels and 5-ply tires, along with window covers for highway towing. The heavy-duty trailer has a diamond-plate steel floor and is rated to carry an additional 500 pounds.
Handicap Trailer Blind
There are also models that allow a disabled friend or family member to enjoy the outdoors in comfort. This insulated model comes with two inches of foam insulation, carpeted floor and shelves, stained wood interior and trim, exterior window shades, lights, bumper, and a 36″ storm door.
It also includes a five-foot slide-in or fold-up ramp, 15″ wheels & 5-ply tires, fenders, and stabilizing jacks for a solid and stable hunting experience for any hunter with mobility issues.
Insulated Elevated Trailer Blinds
Some insulated elevated Trailer Blinds are built onto DOT-approved trailers and come in three sizes. Each model supplies an eight-foot vantage point and a 360-degree field of view. With a choice of 6’x6′, 6’x8′, or roomy 6’x10′ dimensions, each unit can be removed from its trailer and converted into fixed position elevated blinds with the addition of the five, ten, or fifteen-foot tower options.
Each steel-framed blind comes with stabilizers, tie downs, full carpeting with stained-wood trim, and a 10-year camo warranty. There are also several available options for each of these, made in the USA models, which include:
- Tool Box
- Combo gun/bow windows
- Curtains
- Gun rest pads
- Delivery and setup
Positioning and Setting up a Deer Blind on a Trailer
So, what kind of hunting scenario or hunter could benefit from using a mobile hunting setup?
These trailers are designed to be pulled easily by the average UTV or side by side. The standard two-inch hitch ensures a universal fit, and moving these trailers and setting them up is a breeze because of the torsion bar axles. In other words, anywhere you can go with your ATV, your trailer-mounted blind will follow.
The primary benefit of a portable blind setup is that you can experiment with blind placement throughout the season. For example, early season stand positioning takes advantage of established summer feeding patterns. Then as oaks begin dropping acorns, it’s a simple task to relocate your blind near those trees that show heavy use.
If a property has established smaller food plots, repositioning a stand downwind from deer entry points is also an easy solution. The blind’s small profile also makes adding brush or limbs for additional camo an easily accomplished option. You can immediately hunt from or leave your blind in position for a few days before your hunt. The locking storm door ensures a dry, pest-free hunting experience.
The benefits of this portable deer blind on a trailer setup become evident on a hunting property where you sign a short-term lease. You can purchase a trailer blind, position and relocate it till you’ve found a good spot. At that point, you can remove your stand and erect the 5, 10, or 15-foot tower option, and if you lose your lease or find a better hunting property, you can disassemble your fixed blind and remount it back onto your trailer. Moving, repositioning, and relocating a blind has never been easier when you utilize a suitable trailer blind.
Public Land
Alabama hunters are blessed to have access to around 750,000 acres of state and Federally managed hunting land. Every year many hunters take advantage of this vast acreage to enjoy the outdoors and put meat in their freezer.
A mobile blind is a legal option on most of Alabama’s public hunting land. I checked with the Alabama Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Division folks about the legality of using a trailer blind on Forever Wild or the many WMAs. As long as the blind is parked on an approved road, it’s legal for daytime use.
Conclusion
Flexibility is a factor that serves hunters well in their pursuit of fresh venison. If you have a new property or you’ve had some timber harvested and are not sure exactly how the deer movements on your hunting property will be affected, then using a mobile deer blind might be what you need to help figure out where to position your stands.
Also, if your hunting blinds have been in position for a few years, you might need a new strategy to outfox a local trophy. Biologists that study big bucks have repeatedly warned hunters who used permanent stands that those giant bucks adjust their travel patterns to avoid detection from those locations, and periodically relocating your permanent stands can sometimes pay dividends.
So, if you’re looking for a more mobile hunting option or maybe need another blind for the upcoming season, consider the many deer blind on a trailer choices that can make your hunt easier, more comfortable, and hopefully, more successful.
