Was just browsing the latest 3Rs brochure and ran across the ad for the Mirror Blind. Any of you guys use or have used them? If so, what you think? Effectiveness, portability, etc.
I will be trying one this coming year. Last year a couple of "Wheelie Friends" used them, 1 guy shot a buck and a doe from it (this was his second year using it last year he shot a buck from it too), and the other guy shot a doe from his. They shot all 3 deer at under 15 yards. They are lighter then most any tree stand to carry, and can be setup almost completely silently anywhere. I hate the finding a tree game, with the blind most difficult part is getting your stool/chair to set level. Also the deer need no break-in time, in my area seems it takes several months for the deer to get used to a blind in the woods and even then you are lucky if it is in the exact spot you need it to be with the change in deer movement throughout the season. I'm gonna give it a whirl.
I used one a half dozen times last season. I never got a deer in front of it for the ultimate test. They do set up and take down fast and easy. I still preferred not to carry it, and just use my tree stand that was already up. I was hoping to sell it locally, and avoid shipping, but may have to hunt down a box for shipping.
Mudd made one. seems to work pretty good for him.
It would be best if you could try one out before you purchase one. They are pricey, but seem well built. I have the original size in a four panel. Now there are multiple sizes available and a six panel model. They do work great as far as blending in, but they can be a bit more difficult to shoot a trad bow from. You have to be far enough away to not have arrow interference, which leaves me feeling a bit exposed from the sides, and it can be tough to shoot over depending on your stool height. They are also not the best option on windy days. If you do get the original four panel, do yourself a favor, and buy the carrying case for it! It is a big pain to carry with a strap over your shoulder and trying to maneuver it through brush while carrying your bow, quiver, stool, and maybe an extra jacket. :banghead: The backpack method is much easier and quieter.
All in all, it's really no different than carrying in a treestand or pop up blind. Like other methods of ambush hunting, they have there place, but are not a one size fits all solution.
I bought one and hunted from it a few times last year. They blend in very well (at least to my eye) and are easy to set up. I actually was thinking on buying a couple of the extensions and making every other panel taller to help hide bow movement. Like buckracks above, I wasn't lucky enough to get a deer in front of it to test out, but I firmly believe it will work. Definitely get the backpack. It's a little pricey, but you can attach your stool, pack, etc. to it and carry all as one unit. All the above being said, in places where I hunt at least semi regularly, I prefer to put up natural blinds if at all possible. That way I have one less thing to carry and can take off and roam/still hunt if I get tired of sitting in place. Can you find it in the picture below?
(http://i.imgur.com/XJCRo7B.jpg)
let me help...
(http://i.imgur.com/IDeF1V1.jpg)
If I recall correctly,the first picture above was taken from roughly 15 yards.
I found the easiest way to carry mine was in the pack, but slung over one shoulder, as opposed to on my back. That way it was easy to maneuver around obstacles. Wind was never a problem. There are numerous ways to attach the tie down cords, and stakes. If you do it right, it is very secure. I attached some going one way, and others the opposite way. There are also holes at the bottom to stake it to the ground, but I never found that necessary.
I found this video a while back when I was interested in them. They tend to be a bit too expensive for me but I can make one fairly inexpensively. There's not enough trees around here to use a tree stand so ground hunting is usually the best method. They seem like they'd work really well except on windy days.
https://youtu.be/sjUJyXE3jhY
I own a ghost blind. It isn't a really good option for trad style hunting, but it will work. You need a hill side or really good cover behind you. Works great in snow with you wearing snow camo. Mine is the older model and is pretty heavy, but they are really quick and quiet to set up. Great for predator/turkey hunting with a gun, where you don't have to rise up for a shot. Youtube has a how to for building one with plexi glass and mirrored window tinting that you could make more custom to your hunting style.