Shacks
by Max August
Recently in our great state of Michigan a phenomenon have been taking place. Everywhere you drive they can be seen in the fields, along edges of woods, on top of hills. They are of every shape, size, and color. What are they? We call them "Shacks." Shacks are the modern version of a deer blind.
Many years ago, the early hunters realized that by concealing themselves they could get very close to their prey and thus increase their success rate. The first blind was probably no more than a tree or a bush that the hunter stood behind. The hunter soon realized that concealment was an important weapon in his hunting arsenal. He also realized that more is better and began stacking branches around the tree to further conceal any movements he might inadvertently make while patiently waiting his prey. As time went on wooden frames were added. They attached or lay the branches against them to allow the hunter more mobility and still allow him maximum concealment. These improvements allowed the hunter to stay on a stand longer and more comfortably and the success rates continued to climb. The final step to the creation process probably occurred on a rainy day with a hunter that had a piece of leather in his game pouch. Not wanting to leave his quest, he attached the leather above his head and now he could endure anything that mother nature could dish out.
Why have these Shacks? As deer became more acclimated to people, hunters had to continue to refine their hunting techniques. Shacks offer complete concealment and a comfort level that allow the hunter to remain on a stand indefinitely. The more time spent in the field the greater the chances are that you will be successful in your quest for game animals. One benefit to hunting from Shacks that will be seen in the future is the ability to take young would be hunters and new hunters and place them in a situation that is very enjoyable and comfortable. Thus, lowering the odds of having a bad first experience hunting. Many a young hunter has gone out only to find that the elements that need to be endured to be a successful hunter too overwhelming. They quickly become discourage and no longer hunt. Shacks eliminate most of the uncomfortable situations that occur and promote a more enjoyable experience. I have personally taken my young girl to my shack often and have thoroughly enjoyed our time spent together talking and sharing the hunt. It does not hurt to have the extra set of eyes to help spot the elusive animal.
Preparation is the key to being a successful hunter and stand hunting is no exception. The late winter and early spring are a great time to check out the lay of the land and figure out the best placement of a shack. Pay special attention to sight range, shooting distances, and elevation. Placement of shacks is probably the single most important factors involved in the shacks success. It is important that you can see the game trails without undue strain and obstructions. Make sure to walk the shooting lanes to see that no unseen brush, trees or rocks may get in the way at a critical time. Removing them may not be necessary but it is important that you know where everything is in your sight range. Do not forget the houses in the area to prevent an accident that could occur in the heat of the moment. Pace off the distances that you can shoot. Place markers or mentally mark different landmarks so when you see a deer you can more accurately place the shot for a clean kill. The shotgun hunter will want to place his stand much closer to the deer trails than the rifle hunter and will want to pay closer attention to the prevailing winds in the area. That brings us to the subject of elevation. I like to place my shacks as high as possible to get the sent up and away from the deer. Obviously this may not always be possible but should be taken into account. Placing the shack as high as possible also places the trajectory of the bullet at a downward angle producing a safer shot.
Constructing a shack is usually done out of scrap lumber and is strictly a matter of personal preference. The shape and size of the shack depend on terrain, visibility, one or two persons, stand up or sit down and anything else the hunter deems as important. The main item that is critical to constructing a good shack is that all possible areas that the deer might travel can be seen and can be shot. Take time to make sure you do not miss an opportunity because you did not place a window in the right place or that you did not allow yourself enough room to get the shot off. If you plan to heat your blind pay special attention to ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Sealing your blind too tightly could be inviting disaster.
Using the blind is more than just going out to it and waiting. Several items must be taken into account while you are on a stand. First stay put. Do not go in and out of the blind and be sure that you have everything that you might need when you head to your blind so you can stay on a stand as long as possible. Avoid the windows. Deer are very conscious of their habitat and changes in what they are used to seeing makes the animals very nervous. Movement is also a sure way to alert the wary white tail so keep your movements well away from the windows. Next hang some hunter's orange where other hunters can see that there is someone in the shack. I wear my orange coat over dark clothes so when I reach the shack I can take it off and hang it from a nail that is visible from outside the blind. That leaves me in dark clothing that further conceals my movements and further raises the odds that I will see the big one before he sees me. Do not eat lunch at noon. Try to be extra alert around the lunch time, many hunters leave the woods then to go back to their house or vehicle to get warm and eat. This movement of hunters tends to cause deer to move also. When you get ready to shoot make sure the muzzle of your gun, is well outside the shack. The sound of a gun going off inside an enclosed area could cause permanent hearing damage. As with any form of hunting the most important thing that you can do is spend time preparing. Shack hunting is no exception. Do your scouting and preparing as previously discussed and they will greatly increase your odds that you will get a deer.
Finally Michigan has special regulations concerning blinds on public lands and a careful review of these rules will be necessary before placing a shack on state land. Build a Shack, kick back, relax, and enjoy the hunt. Good Luck!
