This is my fourth season using ground blinds and I have had some success using them. The deer and other animals will get used to them with time. I set mine up around Labor Day weekend which is two weeks before our season starts in NH. I've never had a deer run the other way but I have had them blow before like you said. I've also had deer not care less that it was there even when I had just set it up an hour before. I once had a young doe come within 5 feet of my window. I could have poked her in the nose with an arrow if I wanted to. They are great for hiding movement but as Big Holla said don't put your bare face right in the window. It will stand out. I put a sight on my bow this year that has a light on it to light up the pins when I need it. It works great. Also the best blind chair I've found by far is the Primo Double Bull QS3 Magnum Tri-Stool. I've done all day sits in these chairs without a problem. I still hunt out of tree stands but I have found blinds are handy to have when there are no good trees around.