How Often Can You Hunt the Same Box Blind?

Did I just hunt that spot too many times? Sometimes it’s hard to know.

Box blinds are currently growing in popularity amongst hunters for a variety of different reasons including the comfort of the hunt that they provide. They can be a very valuable asset to have in the field, but does that mean that they can or should be hunted more than a traditional tree stand setup?

The answer I have found is… drum roll… it depends. It’s just like any other hunting setup and location. Using your hunting savviness and experience to determine how much a box blind should be hunted relies on factors like entries, exits, scent control, food sources, and deer movement.

I can honestly say that box blinds will bring out some different feelings in hunters and how often they hunt, especially after investing in a high-quality box blind. Let’s go over some things to make sure your box blind isn’t over hunted and provides the best chance of tagging a deer.

Enticing Perks of Box Blinds Can Result in Over Hunting

The pros of using a box blind can greatly entice hunters to inadvertently overhunt their box blind. They have so many upsides: improved scent containment, dampening noises, concealment of movement, and the option of heat when the weather turns colder.

These are great perks of box blinds, but I caution you to not let them draw you to over hunting an area. I am just as susceptible to falling into the trap of using a box blind because of its luxury and perks, but that does not change other factors that happen outside of that box blind.

I also know that box blinds can be quite expensive. Depending on the size and model purchased, it can bring the innate feeling of HAVING to use it or to use more in order to justify the purchase. Don’t fall into this trap and overhunt this location. Think of the purchase as a long-term investment that will last years instead of a single season.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. At least not every day of the week. Trust me, it will pay off more to have numerous setups instead of focusing on one single box blind to pay off all season long.

Trust Your Hunter’s Instincts

At several points during the season, I will have these feelings, based on data I collect by scouting, hunting, and trail cameras, that a certain stand or location just isn’t producing the deer at that time. I know you have probably felt and experienced this too. Trust that feeling with box blinds. It’s no different than a treestand.

When the deer stop showing up, or their patterns start to change, you may have hunted the area too long, or a new feed source is producing. This is all about noticing what the deer are doing immediately in the presence of hunting a location repeatedly. If you are hunting a wooded transition area with persimmons and acorns dropping and you are not seeing anything… Yeah, you probably hunted it too much.

If deer are close to the box blind for a day or two and then all of a sudden, they are coming to that same area but not coming as close to the blind, it’s time for a change. They want to be there but have taken notice of a change and are more on edge. This is the perfect scenario to let that location cool down and hopefully reset.

Don’t force the situation and make matters worse. Trust your instincts to move. Go hunt another location for a bit.

Entries and Exits

Box blinds do offer a lot to the hunter using them, but most of those perks start and end on entry and exit. Entering and exiting the box blind can have a big impact on deer movement. Your stand placement could be dynamite, but the access could blow you up, so to speak.

Having a good entry and exit strategy for a hunting area with a box blind is just as important as any other setup. I highly recommend having a well-thought-out entry and exit plan that is quick, as quiet as possible, and puts the wind in the hunter’s favor. If it’s possible, having multiple routes to the box blind is helpful as well.

Entries and exits can make or break a hunting area. Just because you don’t think you are bumping deer doesn’t mean that you aren’t. So, if you start to notice deer aren’t showing up as frequently as before or stop altogether, you may have bumped them off on entry and exit and, once again, it’s time to change location.

Scent Control

Scent control goes well with entries and exits to box blinds. Just because the box blind helps contain scent doesn’t mean that scent can’t be left behind on access. Keep your scent control on point no different than if you were hunting a treestand out in the elements.

Scent can linger for longer periods than you might think. Deer have a keen sense of smell that can detect even the slightest odor that is off. This is why I always use my best scent control tactics regardless of my location or setup.

I also make sure that I play the wind on entry and exit as best that I can. This goes back to the previous section and having multiple entry and exit options, especially for box blinds. Additionally, if the wind isn’t right, I don’t go. It’s that simple.

Box blinds allow for better scent control, but only once inside it. Don’t neglect scent control to and from the box blind.

Food Sources

Food sources will change throughout the season, and some are preferred more than others by the deer. Know your area and keep an eye on the changes in preference as the season winds on.

There is nothing worse than sitting over a food source that should have deer in it but has been picked over and no longer is drawing the deer. If that’s the case, it’s time for a move. I am very particular about the food source I place my box blind over and when I intend to hunt it. This needs to be a well-thought-out strategy before the season.

Keep in mind that the deer may be temporarily targeting another seasonal food source and moving may be in your best interest just to see more let alone have opportunity for a harvest.

Deer Movement

Pay close attention to the deer movement around the box blind. If you notice that deer are constantly looking at your blind or are watching it for a long time before coming into the open, you are probably making too much noise or accessing the area wrong.

If deer aren’t moving in that area, don’t continue to go back there day after day. Try a different location for a time until the deer have returned to their normal pattern. Find the food source or bedding areas that they are frequenting at that time.

Another great strategy that I can’t stress enough is the use of trail cameras. Having a few up to monitor the deer activity will take some of the guess work out of it. If you see deer showing up only after you leave, you know you are making a negative impact.

I like to practice tracking deer movements in the areas that I hunt. It can be simply noting the time they show up, what directions they move, how far out they are, and wind directions. There are a lot of useful hunting apps to map this out and to take notes. Be studious of all the deer movements and track it for future reference.

The Big Picture

While I can’t give you an exact number of times or days that a box blind should be hunted from, I have given you tactics to utilize in order to optimize your hunts. Being able to see the big picture unfold and analyze it is key to telling you how often you should hunt your box blind.

Use good entry and exit points, keep your scent control on point, know the food sources, and track movement patterns. With that being said, when changes happen with the deer, make a change yourself. Don’t get stuck in a rut. Better to back off and wait for a change in deer activity than to continue pressuring the same location.

By doing these things, I can assure you that you will know how often to use your blind. Take my advice, you won’t regret it!

Think you’re overhunting your blind box? Maybe it’s time to get another! Check out all of 12 Point’s blinds, including the released in 2024 Outfitter Series today.

And if you’re looking to get the most value out of your blind by being able to easily move it away from overhunted areas, consider 12 Point’s Blind Trailer with Stand!

Happy Hunting!