I'm considering purchasing a ground blind for use this spring turkey hunting. There's a possibility I may use it come deer season, and I'm sure I could find it useful for photography as well. Anyways, I've never been a blind person (sounds weird saying that), so I really don't know what's good/bad, overpriced/quality, etc. I would like it to be easily setup and taken down, room for two adults, I'm not sure I really require the shoot through mesh or not (not sure I care one way or another), and preferably not break the bank. I suppose I'm looking for a starting point here based off everyone's experiences. Thanks fellas.
I'm not really a blind hunter either. I bought a Groundmax from Primos a couple years ago to take my young son hunting. I love it and for the money it's comparable to much higher priced blinds. It was like in the $100-$110 Range through Cabelas.
I'm in the same boat. Contemplating trying to create a make shift blind this Turkey season but that could really complicate hunting with a bow because I would be exposed. Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk
I just went through the same thing this last week. I had a old Ameristep blind that did not offer much concealment and was small. I don't even remember what it was called. Now that I am going to be hunting with my active almost 4 year old I needed more room and more concealment. I bought this one after much research. Quite honestly, there are a lot of good blinds out there. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Ameristep174-Intimidator-2-Ground-Blind/727911.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dameristep%2Bintimdator%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=ameristep+intimdator&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products One of the things I wanted was a blind that did not have any velcro on it. Too much noise is made with Velcro IMO. This blind has zippers to get in the door and the windows are opened and closed by magnets. At least from what I read. I also love the idea of the split windows to be able to set-up them many different ways. I think the versatility of this blind's windows is a good thing. I did not want a blind with too small of windows, but I also did not want a blind that made you unzip this huge window and ruin your concealment. It has a bowholder in the roof, and a shelf to put stuff on. Note I do not have this blind in my position yet as it will be coming next week. I would be happy to give a non biased opinion on it once I check it out. I also strongly considered these blinds. #1: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Prim...round+blinds&WTz_l=Header;Search-All+Products I did not like the poor reviews on Cabalas regarding it. I love the camo pattern. #2: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Prim...round+blinds&WTz_l=Header;Search-All+Products #3 http://www.cabelas.com/product/Amer...round+blinds&WTz_l=Header;Search-All+Products #4 http://www.cabelas.com/product/Prim...round+blinds&WTz_l=Header;Search-All+Products As far as I can tell I got either the cheapest or close to the cheapest blind that does not have Velcro in it which I wanted. You can pay less you if can handle the Velcro.
Matt, if you are wanting to go cheaper, I'd go with something like this. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunting/Hunting-Blinds/Ground-Blinds-Accessories|/pc/104791680/c/104702580/sc/104365080/Trekker-T-200-Blind/712944.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fhunting-hunting-blinds-ground-blinds-accessories%2F_%2FN-1100113%2FNo-0%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104365080%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253Bcat104791680%253Bcat104702580%26WTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNP&WTz_l=SBC%3Bcat104791680%3Bcat104702580%3Bcat104365080 Mainly because it's 68X68, it's similar to the cabelas exclusive (non hub style) that i've seen. For real, that Predator Den Blind (#1) is a friggin great blind for 150 bucks. I'm not a blind guy either, but i've enjoyed and used the heck out of mine.
The two big things to think about is hoop steel vs. Hub and the window styles of the blinds. I have a hoop steel Ameristep Doghouse. A number deer have been shot out of it (4 bow, 3 gun) and a couple turkeys. It's a great blind...once it's set up. My 2011 "hunting list" includes a hub style blind that can set up and take down faster. The hoop style has tent poles that have to be put together (shock cord) and then threaded in place. It take a long time and is cumbersome to set-up in the dark. The huge upside of the hoop...and it's something that's lacking on every single hub style blind I've seen...is the GIANT shooting window. It's totally clear of any of the "X" poles that cross thru the shooting windows of the hub style blinds. I can shoot side to side and up and down over a much larger angle. For the last two years, I've been setting up and leaving the hoop blind up in the same spot all season on one of my plots. It's been working great...easy in and out. But I also want to be more mobile with the ground attack...thus the desire to go hub this year. Check out this one: http://www.getyukontracks.com/foundations/store_getYukon/shopdetail.asp?params=AV163*0 The price is right and you won't feel bad if you don't like hunting out of it. Lots of guys try them and don't like it...but there's lots that do. It takes some getting used to for sure! Good luck!
For the record.. you can even get it cheaper. $49.00 and it is the Ameristep one. http://www.fleetfarm.com/catalog/product_detail/hunting/blinds/ameristep-original-doghouse-blind
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you're buying a blind... 1. You get what you pay for, blinds are the most classic example of this cliche phrase. They may all look fairly similar, but the cost difference is in the design as much as it is in the building materials. The more expensive blinds, in my experience, have been thought out much more thoroughly. 2. Black windows or no windows rarely affect turkeys, but deer are a different story. Deer are much more skiddish with black windows or windows without mesh, regardless of how long the blind has been in that spot. They aren't a big deal for gun hunters, but when you're trying to get an animal to be calm inside of 40 yards... it's a different story. 3. Any nylon, polyester or "shiney" material on the exterior is an absolute no no. The glare of the material is horrible, even on stuff that is border line. If you want to scare your prey... buy a s hiney blind. Shiney blinds are also much noisier than cotton (or similar) fabrics. 4. Things to look for on a blind: Does it have adjustable window heights? Does it have velcro windows or maybe magnetic? Does it have exterior loops to hold vegetation when you go to "brush it in?" What are the rods and hubs made out of? What kind of warranty does the manufacturer give? 5. Is the exterior material noisy? When you run your fingernails over it, how much noise does it make? If you have a gentle breeze and a piece of your vegetation is constantly dragging over your blind, it can make you go insane as well as alerting animals with an unfamiliar sound. If you'll consider these questions before you buy a blind, you'll most likely get one that you don't hate.
I have #3. Set up and take down are quick and simple. They are very durable mine sustained 50 mph + winds and survived out in open. They balck interior helps hide you and the screens allow for ventilation also as it can get pretty warm in them. $99 bucks is what I paid i think.
Thanks for the info, everyone. Looks like I have some researching and contemplating to do. Ben, how is Predator for noise and material sheen? Have you had any problems with the zippers? Dubbya, that information should be pretty helpful, thanks. Any models in particular you have experience with?
I currently own a double bull matrix. I've owned a Double Bull T2, BS5, Eastman Carbon Venture, Doghouse and I've hunted out of several others. I personally like the design of the ASAT blind a lot as well. IMO there is no close second to a Double Bull and prices are significantly more reasonable since they were taken over by Primos. I ordered a Double Bull for my dad last Fall from BH.com and it was under $300 I believe. Personally I'd rather spend $300 on a blind and use it for 5 or 6 seasons, allow it to be in the elements, etc than by $150 blind every 3 years that is of less quality to start with. JMO.
I don't think it's bad at all. I've abused it pretty hard. It's spent a total of 8 months out so far. (Dec/Jan 09/10, April/May 10, and Sept-Jan 10/11) I've really got no complaints, but I haven't spent any time in anything really high end. I don't use it enough to justify a higher end blind and due to the price, I don't feel bad about leaving it out.
Exactly, a Used DB Matrix can be had for the same price as these new models of lesser blinds, and I'd 10 to 1 prefer a used DB to a new ________(fill in the blank with whatever blind you can think of).
Thought I would bring this thread back to life. Cabelas has the Primos Ground Max Predator blind on sale now for $99. With my Cabelas Bucks, it would cost about $25...I'm thinking of going ahead and picking it up to try out. I figure for $25, why not? I just don't see myself keeping this out for extended periods of time or using it enough to justify a $225+ blind. Any last thoughts or opinions here?
Scratch that...with the Cabelas points I have, the blind would be free:D So, it might take some major convincing
I considered this blind when I bought mine but the negative reviews on Cabalas lured me away from it. Complaints about the door zippers being cheap really scared me away. However, it's only $25. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Prim...ax+Predator+&WTz_l=Header;Search-All+Products
