Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: The Hawk on February 16, 2012, 11:25:00 AM

Title: Ghost Blind?
Post by: The Hawk on February 16, 2012, 11:25:00 AM
Anyone using the Ghost Blind? I was thinking of trying one for turkeys and deer on the prairie where there are no trees.
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: Mudd on February 16, 2012, 11:44:00 AM
I made something like it and it works. I call if my "Fake Front" blind.

(http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/mudd57/Fake%20Front%20Blind/DSC01803.jpg)

(http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/mudd57/Fake%20Front%20Blind/DSC00956.jpg)
(http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/mudd57/Fake%20Front%20Blind/DSC00928.jpg)
(http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/mudd57/Fake%20Front%20Blind/DSC00930.jpg)

God bless,Mudd

PS: It cost me a lot less.
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: wixwood on February 16, 2012, 12:00:00 PM
WOW, that's kinda cool looking!  What is it made from, obscured clear plexiglass or? What does it weigh and does it reflect alot on a sunny day? I'm always looking to improve on blinds.
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: on February 16, 2012, 12:05:00 PM
i seen one out in the woods last season that another hunter left out, and it was very hard to see, cause it reflects the ground and grass, leaves, and whatever is out in front of it. i think something like that would work great in a prarie setting as long as you dont get skylined,.
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: Mudd on February 16, 2012, 12:07:00 PM
I used a thin corrugated panel used for bathroom walls and mirrored Mylar from a green house supply.

The sun isn't a problem as long as you cut the angles correctly so the top of the blind is tilted toward the ground. It only reflects the ground in front of it.

I think it might weigh 10 lbs.

God bless,Mudd
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: Over&Under on February 16, 2012, 12:15:00 PM
Nice work Mudd!
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: wildgame on February 16, 2012, 12:59:00 PM
Cool idea Mudd!!
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: Night Wing on February 16, 2012, 02:37:00 PM
I hear through the grapevine, these blinds are great for turkey hunters who like to be mobile and move around to different calling spots.
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: WESTBROOK on February 16, 2012, 08:11:00 PM
Nice job Mudd! That is slick.

Eric
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: RLA on February 16, 2012, 09:43:00 PM
Mudd that is slick!  Good idea
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: jess stuart on February 16, 2012, 11:06:00 PM
Mudd, that is very cool you sir are quite the crafstman.
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: illianabowhntr67 on February 17, 2012, 04:50:00 AM
The ghost blind is expensive.I might try make one like Mudds.
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: Mudd on February 17, 2012, 08:57:00 AM
I had fun making my blind but I set a goal for myself that has kept me from using it or any kind of blind.

I had the hardest but the best hunting this past season hunting from the ground with nothing between me and my quarry but air.

It was very hard to get a shot especially when more than one animal was present.

I only dropped my string twice all season and had clean misses on both.

There were a bunch of heart pounding moments with deer or turkeys under 10 yards of me, with the closest being a matter of a few feet.

Man! What a ride!! The rush was awesome!!

I met them on their level and in my mind counted coupe on several.

It didn't do anything about an empty freezer but I know where the store is if I get real hungry...lol

God bless,Mudd
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: Dimondback on February 17, 2012, 11:13:00 AM
Hey Mudd!
        10lbs is much lighter than a 30lb treestand! I want to build one for turkeys this year....is there a buildalong in the near future?....with materials, dimensions, the critical angles that you mentioned?
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: Mudd on February 17, 2012, 11:19:00 AM
I don't know how to measure angles.. I just practiced with card board until I found what worked.
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: Pon on February 17, 2012, 11:33:00 AM
Mudd we need a detailed "How to"

nice work!
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: RM81 on February 17, 2012, 11:44:00 AM
If Mudd doesn't have time for a "how to", there is a good video on youtube with the build instructions.  PM me if you want more info.
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: Onehair on February 17, 2012, 12:19:00 PM
I saw one while driving down the road a couple days ago. Not sure if it was factory or home made but it was visible in that I spotted it quickly. I backed up for a closer look and was impressed with it. Looked to be more than I would carry on a hunt most days.
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: Mudd on February 17, 2012, 02:10:00 PM
I will try to explain what I did. I did not use a tape measure when building this.

Think of the whole as being 4 panels. There are two halves made of up 2 panels. Each half the panels were cut so the center(where the panels meet) is shorter than the outside of the panels.

Here's where I had to play with it. Make the angle too steep and it wants to fall over forward.

Once you get one half made and put together... I used zip ties then make your second half the same way then zip tie the two panels together.

Put the mirrored face on before you zip tie anything together.

I can't seem to let well enough alone...lol

I saw small wrinkles in my mirrored side and thought I can do that better so I tore it all apart and still don't have it put back together yet....lol

(http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/mudd57/Fake%20Front%20Blind/DSC01983.jpg)
(http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/mudd57/Fake%20Front%20Blind/DSC01984.jpg)

God bless,Mudd
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: Rustic on February 17, 2012, 09:06:00 PM
Wat to go Mudd...  :thumbsup:   I like it.
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: marshratTC on February 18, 2012, 12:17:00 AM
That is a really cool build. I have been wanting a Ghost Blind, but I think I might follow the build along instead. They are a little on the expensive size, even though I have seen a few deals on ****.
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: Bob Moran on July 29, 2012, 12:01:00 PM
Mudd,
What a great idea! I was close to pulling the trigger (releasing the string?) on a store-bought one, but I'm heading to Lowe's now! Thanks.
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: Bernie B. on July 29, 2012, 12:41:00 PM
That's a very good looking blind!  It seems to blend in very well with the surroundings.

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: Suty on July 29, 2012, 08:59:00 PM
Ok, so being not as talented as y'all I just went ahead and bought one last year... Works awesomely on Javy's ... On of our guys set up you standard pop up blind. Well as the javelina saw it they freaked and avoided the area like the plague. So down it came... Then it was Ghost Blind to the rescue, set it up and the only problem was I had a javy walk into it  :)  scared him and me... Love my Ghost Blind.. Thinking of bringing it to Solana...... Tu Compadres, Sutty
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: Barry Wensel on July 29, 2012, 10:01:00 PM
You guys probably aren't going to believe this but this whole concept came to me in a dream back in the mid-'80s? I bought the reflective Mylar material and designed it very similar to the present design. I was going to name it "Mirroflage". I even paid $3,000. to have an attorney run a patent search on the idea. He found an outdoor writer from Bozeman, MT named Norm Strung had a patent on a reflective "shield" that was still valid for another seven? years. I just let the idea go because of the legalities. I probably should have pursued it later because the concept really worked well reflecting whatever ground cover was in front of it. I even toyed with the thought of presenting the idea to the military during Desert Storm where cover and trees were minimal.Oh well... another great idea I let slip by and went bowhunting instead. What an idiot. BW
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: creekwood on July 30, 2012, 08:43:00 AM
I'm thinking about making a full face mask out of the stuff. On the plus side, if any of my buds get close enough to inspect it carefully while I'm wearing it, they might think that I am ruggedly handsome.  Hee hee.  :)
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: Flingblade on July 30, 2012, 12:49:00 PM
I bought one a couple years ago.  My wife calls me Harry Potter when I take it hunting; she says it's my "invisibility cloak".
Title: Re: Ghost Blind?
Post by: macbow on July 30, 2012, 01:50:00 PM
One one of these sites about two years ago a guy had a build a long on a mirror blind. Mid way through he stopped. Apparently some lawyer from the real deal contacted him and promised it would not be advisable to continue.