Regardless of your quarry, hunting from the ground can be advantageous or just preferred for a number of reasons. First of all, it's hard to fall out of a ground blind! Lightweight models can be more portable than a tree stand and placed where trees aren't readily available.

A ground blind provides more warmth when hunting in winter. With that added comfort, being able to stay out longer may mean the difference between coming home with game or empty-handed.

Using a blind is one of the best ways to conceal your movements. With a blind large enough, you can even have a hunting buddy or youngster along and fidgeting is much less likely to be noticed by the sharp eyes of your prey.

When taking pictures or videotaping a hunt, blinds are great for concealing tripods and camera equipment and any movement involved with adjusting that equipment.

Depending on your particular needs, there are ground blinds that meet virtually any job requirements. Here is a sampling of what manufacturers have to offer this year.

AMERISTEP
Dream Season
Ameristep recently introduced the new Dream Season model, which offers a variety of shooting options with its vertical window design. Magnetic zippers allow for multiple window variations of up to 21 different options. The window configuration is an ideal match for bowhunters.

The Dream Season Blind is offered in the new Mossy Oak Treestand camo and is constructed of high-quality Durashell PLUS fabric that eliminates excess noise with quiet, weatherproof and wear-resistant characteristics. The hub-style construction is extremely rugged and durable, providing excellent stability and easy setup. The blind comes in a Scent Blocker carbon-lined backpack/gear bag that prevents scent contamination during travel and storage.

The Dream Season blind has a removable floor. It is 67 inches high and 60 inches square, but bows out to measure 74 inches hub to hub. When packed, it is a compact 8 inches wide by 43 inches long. The blind weighs in at 20 pounds, with a suggested retail price of $399.99. www.ameristep.com.

PRIMOS
Dark Horse
Primos introduces the Dark Horse blind that allows a full 180-degree shooting window, spanning the entire front of the blind. The opening features Primos Double Bull's Silent Slide window adjustment system. The window can be opened or covered with shoot-through netting and adjusts vertically from 1 to 20 inches.

The back of the blind has a black interior to eliminate "profiling" and also features four shooting ports and two viewing ports to allow shooting from the rear of the blind without compromising concealment.

The Dark Horse blind is constructed of a cotton/poly fabric that is weather resistant, quiet and won't shine. The Ground Swat camouflage pattern is designed specifically for use on ground blinds. There is also a 5-inch flap that forms a seal along the ground helping to prevent scent and light leaks. The Dark Horse boasts a 7-second setup time!

The center height of the blind is 67 inches and the floor space is 5 feet by 5 feet. The shooting diameter is a generous 78 inches. The suggested retail price is $399.99. www.primos.com.