Sometimes, the best tree for hanging a stand can make you stand out quite a bit. So, what should you do next? I faced this dilemma last year after creating a new food plot. I needed something to break up my silhouette, provide back cover, and avoid spooking the deer. A quick Google search led me to a few options, one of which was from a company called Ghilliepuck.
What is Ghilliepuck?
Ghilliepuck is a veteran-owned and operated company based in New York. The concept behind Ghilliepuck is to help hunters blend into their surroundings, regardless of their hunting location. The Ghilliepuck system is versatile; it can be used in trees, attached to climbing stands, utilized by ground hunters, or employed to conceal a ground blind. I was genuinely interested in trying the product and putting it to the test.
I spent some time browsing the Ghilliepuck website and exploring their products. I found the concept to be straightforward and well-suited to my needs. I decided to order two Basic Puck-Package Hunting Blinds. The most challenging part of the process was choosing from the sixteen different leaf types and colors available. Ultimately, I selected the Maple Sunrise leaves and eagerly awaited their arrival.
My Ghilliepuck order arrived quickly. I opened the package and read the directions on how to set everything up. The Puck-Package included:
1- GHILLIEPUCK
1- Puck-Plug-Adaptor
1- 1/4-20 Thumb Screw (to connect the adaptor the the puck when not using accessories)
1- 8 FT Camouflage Cam Buckle Strap
1- Short Limb (attaches to Plug-Adaptor for center coverage)
8- Twist-Lock Limbs (12 Inch)
9- Connectors (8 for puck, 1 for adaptor)
12- Branches (8 for regular limbs, 4 for short limbs)
I was excited to set up the system, so I went to my property and quickly set it up. It was so easy to put together, and it looked great. I had a few more weeks before the PA archery season started, but I was looking forward to hunting that stand.
Working Flawlessly
I hunted from the Ghilliepuck stand when the wind conditions were favorable. The Puck-Package proved effective in keeping me undetected. Throughout the first archery season, I passed up several bucks, and the does were completely unaware of my presence. Although I didn’t release any arrows from that stand during the first season, I saved my doe tag for after Christmas.
In Pennsylvania, we have a second archery season that opens on December 26th. When that season started, there was still a little snow on the ground, and I knew the deer would be searching for food in my plots. On Friday, December 27th, I made my way to the Ghilliepuck stand for an evening hunt. The wind was favorable, and the temperatures were in the low 30s.
While I was observing four does through my Hawke Frontier ED X binoculars as they approached the food plot, I heard a branch snap to my right. Lowering the binoculars, I saw three more does entering the plot, less than ten yards away. I grabbed my Darton Sequel 33 bow and slowly came to full draw. I released the arrow, and it passed cleanly through the deer’s vitals. The doe ran about fifty yards before collapsing. The Ghilliepuck system had worked perfectly!