I'm going to be building a couple of box blinds this Spring. I'll probably only elevate them about 4-6 feet.; I'm shooting a recurve and can't decide whether to build it 4X4 or 5X5 or 4X6. Any thoughts? How tall? Dick
What length bow are you going to shoot that will determine how tall it needs to be.
8'X8'X8'that will give You enuff room to even shoot a 72" long bow or have someone with You to film Your hunt.
If You just want to use it for rifle, then 4x4
I built a couple 6'x6'x6'.They work well but I wouldn't go smaller.Stand near a wall,extend your bow with an arrow on and see how much room you need in front.Don't forget to draw your elbow back and see what you need behind.I can shoot from a chair or kneeling from the 6' box but not standing.
Thanks for the advice. I'm shooting a 60" Palmer. I'm thinking a 7' ceiling height may work. I probably shouldn't try and go cheap. 6X6 just seems like a lot of cut-offs. Since I've had my one knee replaced, kneeling is out of the question. So is climbing a tree. No fun getting old! Dick
The bigger the better. I don't mind narrow, but deep and tall are best. The deeper they are, the farther back you can hide in the shadows.
I build mine 5 x 5 x 8'front x 7'back (for the roof pitch.) Smaller than 5x5 is too tight for me. I also build them 10' to the floor from the ground. The deer and turkeys ignore them after a short time.
Dick if cut offs are a concern then go 8x8 with a small bath in the back and maybe a stove and bedroll...LOL
I plan on building one this year also and and I am going to build 8x8x8. Mine will be sitting on the ground. I have a friend that hunts out of them and has had deer as close as 3 feet. Dick I know what you mean about getting old.
Jack
Anybody have a set of plans and/ or pictures of box blinds they have built?
I wouldn't throw this out as one to copy but it has worked OK.6'x6'x6'.The windows are something like 16"x48" and each has 4 plywood sliders so that you can close them completely or customize shooting or peeking openings.There is a door in the back and it has a drop down hatch for viewing.The window sill are app 32" off the ground.You have to sit or kneel to shoot.To shoot standing,I think you would need at least 7 1/2' height.The window sliders rattle in the wind so next time,I'd come up with something else but the animals are used to that and pay little attention.
That hay bale is there to keep the wind from taking the shack.It actually rolled and destroyed the last one beyond repair and they weigh several hundred pounds.It gets windy here.
Every corner has a 2x2 and they are also placed every 16",like studs and they are also around the widows and door.Everything is screwed together.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a140/jbrandenburg/AntelopeSeason2010001.jpg)
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a140/jbrandenburg/AntelopeSeason2010002.jpg)
You can see the shack over my shoulder.The closest shot so far has been 8 yds.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a140/jbrandenburg/Hunting2010227.jpg)
I might as well shoot out the window of my house if I'm going to do that much work.
Like I say,this isn't a perfect design but I did find the plans,so,for whatever it's worth.After the first one,I had orders to lower the sill on the second,because Bob Larson,of Glory HogsII fame,shot the sill.Sorry Bob.I think the new sill height is probably 30" instead of 32" as I stated earlier.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a140/jbrandenburg/Scan0001-40.jpg)
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a140/jbrandenburg/Scan0002-28.jpg)
A view from inside.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums%3Cbr%20/%3E/a140/jbrandenburg/AntelopeSeason2010008.jpg)
A better view.
Notice the lack of cover and terrain there.Pop up blinds won't withstand the wind,regardless of how you try to shore them up.A box blind is sometimes the only way to get a shot at antelope there.I hate being confined in one but they work.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a140/jbrandenburg/2009Antelope10MP009.jpg)
Thanks for posting the pictures and plans Jim, I appreciate it!
unless you do lots of DIY projects I would stick with 8x8x8 so you dont have to cut the sheets of plywood. another alternative is to side it with bark slabs from a pallet mill. some mills offer them free for the hauling.
There is a lot to be said for that,Uncle Buck.It would sure save on a lot of cuts.You would also be able to shoot standing up.