OK so I have done searches and gotten little bits here and there of all the blinds but everyone posts "I just got this" or "I haven't tried it yet".
So heres your chance fellas...I'll list a bunch of blinds to be used strictly with traditional gear and you guys chime in on those that you have used in the past few years since your last reviews.
What length recurve/selfbow/longbow did you use?
Do you cant the bow or shoot verticle?
How big of a person are you and how did you fit in the blind?
How many people/gear can/did you fit?
How easy is it to setup?
What style blind do you prefere?
What are pros/cons of the blind? (material, glare, noise, dimensionsm, etc)
How are the shooting windows adjusted/positioned? (too low/too high, better for taller/shorter person, etc)
OK so theres some questions you guys can get started with and here is a list of top blinds today I hear of. Please add in there if you feel i have left any out.
Double Bull Matrix 360
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jsp?id=0064174&navCount=19&parentId=cat540014&masterpathid=&navAction=push&cmCat=MainCatcat21424-cat20011-cat540014_T GP&parentType=index&indexId=cat540014&rid= (http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jsp?id=0064174&navCount=19&parentId=cat540014&masterpathid=&navAction=push&cmCat=MainCatcat21424-cat20011-cat540014_TGP&parentType=index&indexId=cat540014&rid=)
Primos Ground Max Vision
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jsp?id=0057271&navCount=17&parentId=cat540014&masterpathid=&navAction=push&cmCat=MainCatcat21424-cat20011-cat540014_T GP&parentType=index&indexId=cat540014&rid= (http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jsp?id=0057271&navCount=17&parentId=cat540014&masterpathid=&navAction=push&cmCat=MainCatcat21424-cat20011-cat540014_TGP&parentType=index&indexId=cat540014&rid=)
Double Bull Dark Horse
https://shop.primos.com/pc-1135-135-dark-horse.aspx
Primos Ground Max Predator Den
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jsp?id=0054481&navCount=18&parentId=cat540014&masterpathid=&navAction=push&cmCat=MainCatcat21424-cat20011-cat54 0014_TGP&parentType=index&indexId=cat540014&rid= (http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jsp?id=0054481&navCount=18&parentId=cat540014&masterpathid=&navAction=push&cmCat=MainCatcat21424-cat20011-cat540014_TGP&parentType=index&indexId=cat540014&rid=)
Ameristep Penthouse TSC
http://www.ameristep.com/blinds/penthouse.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wElR_SIdOxA&feature=channel_page
Yukon Tracks Enforcer
http://www.marinegeneralcatalog.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2133
Hidden Hunter Blind
http://www.hiddenhunterblinds.com/
Here is why I started this thread...I have an ameristep doghouse blind and it states its 68" tall.
I can't shoot my 62" recurve out of it b/c i hit top so somewhere along the line just reading dimensions didn't get me very far other then now having a blind dedicated for my father to hunt shotgun out of LOL.
So I need real life testimonies of all the blinds you guys have used.
What I will be using it for...
Strictly hunting with with more then myself IE friends family etc. Strictly traditional gear. The people I will be hunting with have never hunted before so something user friendly and something we can get away with some movement and such would be nice.
My brickhosue isn't dark inside so deer pick off any movement very quickly.
Deadbolt, I have an older ameristep,smaller one, I can shoot a short recurve out of it but i'm limited, I'm looking at the hidden hunter blind now that 3rs has as I love to hunt out of these blinds on occation! I'll be watching this thread as i would love to everyones responces!! Jim
I bought a Yukon Tracks Enforcer and it sets up in less than a min. I haven't used it hunting yet but I have shot my PLX 62" out of it with no problem. Check out that aution site **** they have them for about $175 shipped. I paid more for mine. Hope this helps.
Deadbolt, I hope you'll find this video helpful. I'll say this, If I could find a hub style blind that is 90 inches tall I'd buy it in a heart beat, because I feel it would be a bit more easy to pack. Currently the Amerstep Penthouse that I own I can wear like a backpack, & and put the chair & other stuff inside of the pack the blind comes in. Setup is'nt too bad, putting the 2 rods together & sliding them thru the loops. I guess actual setup time for me with this blind is 10 miuntes, which I don't mind. It would be nice to have a quicker setup time, but I want & need a huge blind like the Ameristep Penthouse, because for me comfort & maneuverability are huge priotities in a ground blind situation. So I too am open to suggestions as well. This is a great thread that you've started here. :thumbsup:
Click the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wElR_SIdOxA&feature=channel_page
I have a DB Darkhorse Recurve Model. I'm 6'2" and shoot a 62" Kota Prairie Fire out of it.
My son (5'6" tall) and I fit in it with our bows (he shoots a compound). My daughter (8) even joined us one evening.
We sit on the DB folding chairs and there's no issue for height.
The Recurve model is heavier, taller (about 7") and is more expensive. It's worth it to me. When I'm practiced it's less than a minute to setup.
I have several blinds DB darkhorse,Vision, Ameristep models and a few others. The Vision is one of my favorites for the money good size and I like the widow layouts.I have several 54" bows which I can get away using in smaller blinds like the Ameristep Bully in my picture its so light and packs small for carrying its one of my go to blinds for a pack in/out blind hunt. One thing I have noticed from alot of ground blind hunts on deer/hogs/turkeys is the smaller blinds are easier to hide and animals such as deer/hogs pay less notice to them than a blind twice the size. Also 3D camo on a blind works better on hogs/deer vs plain old flat material no qustion from my experenice in the field using both. The bad thing to that is there is not alot of 3D camo blinds out there to choose and the 3D camo adds more weight to the blinds which is not good for carrying in and out of the field. Overall if I could have only one blind I think it would be the one of the Primos Vision blinds they aren't to heavy to carry in/out on hunts,size is good for most bows,room for a buddy to sit with you, price is good. My DB is great but its heavy to carry in and out I usally set it up and leave it a day or two or short hikes. The Bully blind is great for short bows I like it best for deer hunting they just don't seem to even notice it but its a one guy blind with a trad bow and I don't like it for bows over 56" myself I am sure you could shoot a 58" maybe 60" but bow angle would come into play.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/Phantom223/TurkeyBWblind.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/Phantom223/Dbblind.jpg)
I have a Primos Ground Max Vision that I'm very happy with. Fairly light to pack, quiet, and very fast to sit up. It has a good bag with padded shoulder straps to use while carring it. I have sufficient room for using my 60" Griffin or 60" Morrison Shawnee [ however, I do always shoot using a cant]. It also offers 360 deg field of view and shooting. I use a swivel stool to sit on and shoot off of.
I might also note it rains here in the Pacific NW. I have not sealed the seams yet, but its still doing a good job of keeping me dry. I also like the sewn-in magnets for 'closing in the sides'. They are alot quieter than velcro or zippers. One more quality worth noting, is that the netting has several places that can be noiselessy 'slid apart' to shoot, allowing you to not have to shoot thru the netting and ultimately having to replace it somewhere "Down The Road".
I have never tried multiple people in it as I usually hunt by myself, so can not comment on that question.
One more thing.......I love the "Predator" Brown camo pattern. I have not found a situation yet that it has not worked in.
Hope that helps in your decision. By the way I picked it up a Cabellas on sale [ not from the bargain cave] for $169.00.
Gene :wavey:
Thanks for all the info guys!
Lets keep this thread growing I think alot of people can benefit from it now and down the road with the search option.
Thanks for a great idea for a topic, Deadbolt!
Has anybody used an Ameristep Dominator? I believe it would be tall enough, but would it be too tall? I shoot a 62" recurve.
I also have a Ameristep Bully like Steel has pictured.
I like the blind, its easy to set up, take down, pack in and out, but my limbtip scrapes the top fo the blind if I'm shooting out of my Double Bull chair. I have to either find myself a shorter chair, or shoot from my knees. I shoot a 60" recurve.
I'll chime in for the Ground Max vision, the deer in my member picture was shoot in my ground blind at 16 yard...unfortunately with a compound. That was last year and have moved to longbows...can't wait until this year. I have some 58' Treadways and have shoot them out of my blinds practicing and no problem. The bigger problem will be getting my first deer with my new found passion... the longbow.
Dan
I'm pretty new at this blind stuff, but I've been happy with my Yukon Tracks Enforcer. I learned pretty quickly that you can't keep it open on three sides without letting in too much light. It's black inside, but the big windows limit your ability to hide somewhat by letting in so much light. You have to keep the sun angle in mind when setting up.
It sets up remarkably easily, and takes down likewise. It's 80" inside, but I still can't shoot my 64" longbow standing up, and I'm about 5'-8. That's no problem, because I sit to shoot anyhow, and there's more than enough room for that. I like the roominess for hunting with a friend, too.
The windows are a little high for me while sitting in a lawn chair, but I've noticed that there's a newer version (Enforcer Elite I think) that has the windows lowered at an angle to solve that problem.
I've had it two years, and it's been set up for a total of two or three months, and no problems. It does have a couple of holes now, from getting blown around in the woods during high wind. I didn't use the stakes in the woods, thinking the trees around would protect it. Wrong.
QuoteOriginally posted by Don Stokes:
I'm pretty new at this blind stuff, but I've been happy with my Yukon Tracks Enforcer. I learned pretty quickly that you can't keep it open on three sides without letting in too much light. It's black inside, but the big windows limit your ability to hide somewhat by letting in so much light. You have to keep the sun angle in mind when setting up.
It sets up remarkably easily, and takes down likewise. It's 80" inside, but I still can't shoot my 64" longbow standing up, and I'm about 5'-8. That's no problem, because I sit to shoot anyhow, and there's more than enough room for that. I like the roominess for hunting with a friend, too.
The windows are a little high for me while sitting in a lawn chair, but I've noticed that there's a newer version (Enforcer Elite I think) that has the windows lowered at an angle to solve that problem.
I've had it two years, and it's been set up for a total of two or three months, and no problems. It does have a couple of holes now, from getting blown around in the woods during high wind. I didn't use the stakes in the woods, thinking the trees around would protect it. Wrong.
Do the windows on the Yukon zip or do they have magnets?
They zip.
I have shot a 66" Hill out of my 360, killed a deer out of it with a 64" Hill, killed a turkey out of it with a 62" Titan. Don't waste your time with a penthouse, I have one and it can't compare to my 360.
I have a Penthouse, used it for 2 years. Its works o.k. for the money I guess I think it was $130. Lots of room. If you hunt the late season in the snow and cold, the zippers will ice up, it cant take much snow on the roof, it will cave in. Set-up and take-down are kind of slow. But its still in good condition and still gets used.
I also have a Hidden Hunter DAT I got from Ron LaClair, now that is the BOMB! Not as roomy as the Penthouse but roomy enough. I can shoot my 66" Robertson LB out of it. Goes up and down in a snap. I'm 6'3" and draw 30" so me and my stuff pretty well fill it up, I think of it as a perfect fit.
Eric
I shoot the matrix recurve model with a 60 recurve and using the db stool. I do prop up the front side of the blind about 4 inches with tent stakes to feel more comfortable with that bow but my 56 inch bighorn shoots well with out the tent stakes. 3d mesh or not, I don't know for sure but I never hunt dear or pigs with out really brushing in the blind. If the db recurve was 5 inches taller, it would be the perfect trad blind. But then I would be tempted to buy something else. That being said, I would reccomend the db
Tom,
I tried using my Ameristep pop up blind last season. It was large enough for both Andrew and I to sit in and still be able to shoot my TS MAG,(measurements listed below) from.
BUT in the early deer season it was like a sauna inside. The blind was in a shady area and brushed in real nice. But man I could not stand sitting in there sweating my rear end off.
Another down side to pop up blinds IMHO is that there is very limited visability. The deer are on top of you befor ya know it. Maybe if I had a more open area to place it like on the edge of a field visability might be better.
I prefer instead, using natural ground blinds and sit on my very well made tree seat that you made for me.
Just trying to give you another avenue of thought Bud. :thumbsup:
Yukon Tracks Enforcer for the reqasons already disussed. I have 3 of them. Love em.
There are many good portable ground blinds available today. I purchased my first blind many years ago, a "Lucky" blind made here in Michigan. It was a good blind but it didn't hold up well in windy weather. Many times when getting to my blind in the morning before light I'd find it had blown down during the night.
I try to buy and use American made products, and that's one of the reasons I use the Hidden Hunter blinds which are made in Michigans Upper Peninsula. The other reason is that it is the fastest and easiest blind to set up and take down of any blind I've seen. That's a big plus when your hunting turkeys and need to quickly pick up and go to the birds. Also if you're hunting public land and don't want to leave your blind in the woods for a thief, the HH folds into a D shape for easy carry over your shoulder.
The tie down cords of the HH pull down from the top, through loops on the side and hold the blind down very securely. On the family farm I've left blinds up for extended periods, even as long as a year. Through winds and snow they have stayed put.
I'm 6'2 and I can stand up in my blind. It's roomy enough for two people, many times my wife and I have sit side by side in the blind. The 6 windows offer plenty of visibility and shooting room. I hunt with bows up to 60" with no problem but could use longer if I wanted.
The DAT (digital all terrain) is a great pattern as is the Woodland Green when hunting in the pines.
DAT
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/dat1.JPG)
Woodland Green
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/woodland1.JPG)
Nat Gear camo in snow.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Northwoods_Bow.JPG)
http://www.shrewbows.com/hiddenhunterblinds/index.html
Thanks for all the info thus far..
Question - How do the double bull windows open and close? Magnets zippers just gravity? That's the one thing I like about the ground max...those magnets are a big selling point!
Keep the thoughts coming!
Deadbolt you could fix double bull windows up with magnets. I had been thinking of doing it with mine. Now the netting just hangs down and you slid it up under the strap.....stabow
I use the the alligator clips to hold open the or close the windows on my db. Its my redneck custom touch.
I use the Yukon Tracks and cant say enough good about it!!!!!!!!! GREAT BLIND,, even greater price, got mine for about 150 shipped
I have DB Matrix and a Hidden Hunter that I bought this Spring. I like certain features of each.
As Ron said, The Hidden Hunter will withstand the wind. I had mine setup along the edge of a field for Turkey this Spring and a huge storm came rolling in with 50+ mph winds over night. I thought for sure the blind would be a total loss.....the next day I checked it and it was exactly as I had left it 2days before. My DB blind would have been in a heap on the ground or blow away into the next county.
I did buy shoot through screens at Comptons for my Hidden Hunter blind and I am looking forward to using it this fall. I also like the window configuration on the Hidden Hunter better than the DB. As far as having room to shoot, the Hidden Hunter worked great with my 60" recurve. The DB matrix I have is not the recurve model so it is a little tight for shooting a stickbow, but they do make a recurve model that is taller.....but the price is plenty also.
Best would be to try out a few if you can. I don't think you could go wrong with the Hidden Hunter for an all around blind, plus they are 100% USA made.
I like my yukon tracks enforcer elite. They have switched over to magnets and loops for the windows on that model. Got it on sale, which seems to happen toward the end of turkey season every year.
Oh decisions LOL keep it comin boys!
I've used the Ameristep G-30 (http://www.cabelas.com/p-0058181418604a.shtml) a buddy had for turkey this spring. It's 64" tall so I had to cant my 66" recurve to shoot out of it. I experimented with proping up the blind with our bags - it gave bow clearance but also raised the bottom of the shooting window, making close shots impossible. It worked well for the turkey and was plenty of room for two guys or me and my two twins. I'd want a taller blind or a shorter bow. The hubs made noise when popping out, which wasn't an issue for turkey hunting, but would be for a same-day deer setup. Velcro windows are too noisy for deer IMO unless you shoot through them. It would have limited use for bowhunting deer where I hunt but not bad for turkey.
I own 2 Double Bull Matrix 360 recurve models and have had several others and they dont even come close in comparison. I am 6' 1" tall and weigh about 285 I shoot a 62 inch bow canted slightly. I have had 2 people my size, a camera on a tripod, my bow, a shotgun, and a turkey vest full of junk with plenty of room to move about and shoot. I can set this blind up staked down and tied off in about 2-3 minutes. With only one person, a bow, and a camera and tripod there is lots of room, the windows can be situated however you want them because they go all the way around and are infinitely adjustable. The windows can be used with or without the shoot through net. The only con is the price they are expensive but in my opinion they are worth every penny and I would do it again if I had to.
Have you considered "no blind"? Building a natural blind and backing into it?
I owned a DB T-5 and had to sell it. For me I just hated being in the blind. I always felt cut off from nature surrounded by black material. I will say I could shoot great out of the blind. If wanting to use a longer bow in the blind, consider kneeling to shoot.
John III
Does the hidden hunter have room for more than onr person? Jason
I have been hunting out of man made ground blinds for years but it is hard enough doing it by yourself now add in a child or someone new to the sport it just won't come together.
I plan on bringin out a few non hunters this year to let them experiece it but I want them to enjoy thenselves and see game.
I will be hunting with my asat 3d leafy suit with no blind the days I hunt solo.
I like the new Yukon Tracks Enforcer Elite in the Adrenaline camo, really blends into the hardwoods. A lot of windows, and they are cut low. You can configure the windows in an almost unlimited way, because of the buttons and magnets. It does not glow with UV. Sets up super fast. I think it is 80 inches high. The only thing I didn't like about it was it didn't come with an air conditioner; you'll have purchase that separately.
Here's my Yukon Tracks Enforcer. You can almost see it. I had to reopen holes in the front every visit.
(http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l376/don-stokes/0307091206-00.jpg)
(http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l376/don-stokes/0307091205-00.jpg)
jojo, it sounds like the updated Elite model with the magnets and buttons is a big improvement. May have to get another one...
QuoteDoes the hidden hunter have room for more than one person? Jason
The Hidden Hunter blind is 6 X 6, plenty of room for two. My wife and I have sit side by side in our blind many times. I shared a HH blind with a young man one time and his only complaint was that it was hard to get deer in close because I snored when I dosed off in my chair.... :rolleyes:
There's a video demo in this link
http://www.shrewbows.com/hiddenhunterblinds/index.html
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Hidden%20hunter%202.JPG)
I have the Ameristep Penthouse TSC. Here's my take.
Set up is about as easy as it gets. Just make sure you tie it down because it's big and it can catch the wind.
Very roomy. I'm 6'2 and shoot a longbow. I could stand and shoot if I wanted, but the windows, though plenty large, would not be high enough for me to see anything at a distance. There's easily enough room for two people and their gear. I've thought about using it as a tent before.
The windows have shoot through mesh. There's windows enough to see out all 4 sides, but I still feel as if I'm not seeing everything I could. I don't use it for deer hunting much because of this.
It doesn't take down as quick, but isn't bad, once you know the secret handshake to get the springform frame to fold up.
It works great for turkeys, but deer don't like it at all. They definitely know something is there. I think part of the problem is that the fabric is slightly reflective. It needs to be brushed in really well and you better set it up a long way in advance. It does keep you warmer and dry on a cold or wet day though.
All this said, I still hunt deer from natural ground blinds almost all of the time. They are just high enough to conceal my movement, yet I can shoot over the top. I also use the surroundings to break up my outline., From a deer's point of view, they'd probably see me from the neck up, if I sat up straight.
Great info guys I think I have narrowed it down to my top three so far!
If I had to do it over again, I'd get a HH for sure, even though it's 3 times the $ of my Penthouse blind.
Ron, that hidden hunter looks nice. I have A Rue photography blind that I used a lot when I was doing wildlife photography. I believe it is made by the same company. There is no blind that will set up faster, unless you can just blink your eyes to set it up.
I haven't use any other blind, except the Rue (Hidden Hunter) and Yukon Tracks--haven't hunted from this one, yet. I like them both.
Northwoods has been making photography blinds for Leonard Rue the famous Wildlife photographer for a number of years.
Rue also sells the photography blinds which have special windows for the cameras on his web site. He states this about the HH blinds...
"This is the only blind we know of that can be erected in less than 30 seconds and be completely ready to use in under 2 minutes. The Rue Ultimate..."
Another question for the yukon tracks enforcer elite users...
How would one be 100% sure he is purchasing the new version with the magnet/button/clip windows rather then the older zipper model?
For those that own the newest version where can you purchase it?
ttt
ttt
Everyone do yourself a favor and check out luckys hunting blinds,
I found the link by accident two years ago and watched the video, for me it was a god send- 600 denier outer cover if you want it.Just open your arms and it is set up.- I am large he makes them anyway you want. I have been extremly pleased
I sit on a stool and shoot 56 '-62" no problem. just build a high one.
Here is the web site:
http://www.luckyshuntingblinds.com
Earlier GroundMax Vision:
What length recurve/selfbow/longbow did you use? 64"
Do you cant the bow or shoot verticle?
Had to cant, now have a 60" bow
How big of a person are you and how did you fit in the blind? 5'8", sit in lawn chair
How many people/gear can/did you fit?
Two is crowded with gear
How easy is it to setup?
Yes, especially after reading the instructions.
What style blind do you prefer?
Pop-up
What are pros/cons of the blind? (material, glare, noise, dimensionsm, etc)
Appears to be very well thought out, magnets & peg loops to secure the drop-down windows.
Sewing was absolutely horrible,
spent hours sewing up loose
stitching at magnet pouches
& on carry-bag
How are the shooting windows adjusted/positioned? (too low/too high,
better for taller/shorter person, etc)
Screens can be slid back & forth, flaps are held up with magnets & peg-loops
Great blind for one person, hope they
hired a better seamstress, give her more rice
and fish balls
OK question for the weekend boys and girls!
Hub Hunters (those who have hunted out of a hub style blind)... The dimensions of the blinds are very similar to my current dog house blind...but that isn't a hub blind.
Do the hub blinds offer more room b/c it seems like they extend out past the ground dimensions? And are the measurments for hub blinds listed for the widest part or the floor dimensions?
Yes the hub blinds offer more room my old dog house was very tight on space with any size bow.
Deadbolt,
I have the matrix recurve model and shoot longbows from 58" to 62" out of it, off the double bull stool with no limb interference.
check out the double bull dvds, you will get some great tips and also see how they set up inside the blinds and watch Brooks shoot his recurves and longbows out of them.