Opinion on Ground Blinds
 

What's you favorite "big blind?" Big enough to accomodate two people and let you draw your bow with ease.

I have the Ameristep Doghouse and its served its purpose. With the right scent control, I was able to watch many deer pass within 10-15 yards of it this fall. The only downside to a blind to me was not being able to have as good of a view of the woods as I do when in a treestand. A few times I almost had a heart atack when a deer was peering in at me from a few yards away. Man they're quiet before the leaves fall.

But the Doghouse requires manuevering to draw my bow. It can be done but there's no way I count have a hunting partner come along. Plus I'm looking for something more spacious. The Ameristep Penthouse looks nice and big and lets you draw standing and the Double Bulls look nice as well. What are the thoughts from those of you out there that use pop-up ground blinds???

RE: Opinion on Ground Blinds
 

Double Bull Matrix or BS5. I have the Matrix and i LOVE the blind. I like to take people bowhunting with me, and some of them are pretty young and i dont like the fact of them being in a treestand. We just hunt out of the Matrix and have very good luck with it. One of my buddies shot a 10 pointerout of mine last season. WIth deer you have to brush it in a little bit and keep the screen closed they dont like the big black holes. Also break up the roof outline a little. For turkeys you can take in and set it up in the middle of a corn field and face the decoys at you and you will have turkeys up close and personal they dont have a clue what it is.

RE: Opinion on Ground Blinds
 

Thanks deer-hunter. So do you have the window open to just a slit? Ihave seen and been in the Double Bulls in the stores but never took the time to mess with the window openings. I know they are supposed to be very adjustable. I did have deer stare at the mesh windows of my Doghouse for a few seconds when passing by but I left the windows open and the blind set up in the same spot for long periods of time (weeks) so they could get used to it being off their trails. Some seemed nervous it was there an others couldn't have cared less. The key for me was to sit absolutely still when they came into close proximity and move the second they looked away - sort of like when you'rein a tree stand. I didn't take one while in the blind but practiced drawing on quite a few.

RE: Opinion on Ground Blinds
 

I got a Tukon tracks commander blind this year & its much bigger than my doghouses. Its basic shape is a doghouse type but the windows are semi circles opening almost the entire side if you want & allcovered with mesh. Havent taken a deer from it yet but tommorow afternoon I'll be sitting in it. I have 2 doghouses out too & they are harder to draw from but alot easier to tuck away. I took 2 deer from each this year & both times got doubles. I let them sit a week or more before hunting them & the deer get accustomed to them.
Also I have a hunters view lodge, another giant doghouse 7'X7' & 7' tall. Plenty of room for even 3 people but no mesh. The deer still get used to them but you better not try until they do. The black holes keep them on their toes but if you sit back away from the window they cant see you. I only took one from this blind this year & my uncle got another, I got 2 turkeys from it as well but theyre easy. The deer look at the holes but once you come to grips that they cant see you even tho theyre looking right at you its easy to draw undetected & get off a shot.
They often have no clue what just happened either, thats how the doubles happened. I'd shoot one & it would run off leaving the others wondering whats up for a few minutes before they calm down & then I shot the second one.
Blinds work real well but I do like the vantage point a tree stand gives. Most of my spots have a blind & a stand in them so I can go either way depending on the weather & wind.

RE: Opinion on Ground Blinds
 

Double Bull is the best on the market hands down, but they are pricey. I'm personally not a huge fan of the Ameristep blinds. IME they are noisy and not as hunter freindly as the DB. Velcro on/off shooting mesh is not conducive to being quiet if you have to make any adjustments to the windows. The window zippers are behind the velro shoot through windows and you either have to remember to open the windows before you get in the blind or take a chance on the deer not hearing the velcro and zippers. With the DB everything can be done in total silence. If you can afford it get the DB.

RE: Opinion on Ground Blinds
 

I like the Eastman Outfitters Carbon Express!

I would love a Double Bull, but the price is out of range for an old soldier. They seem like some of the best, but IMHO not very affordable for the average hunter.

Ameristrip, I bought one, and even though the company replaced it, the first time I used it the zipper split all the way around the entrance, had to safety pin it shut. They said they had some bad zippers, but I sold without using or opening the new one they sent.

The Eastman Outfitter was more affordable, easier to sit up, and it was a Christmas gift to replace the Ameristrip. So i guess for the money I know she paid the Carbon Express is worth the price.......

RE: Opinion on Ground Blinds
 

The matrax is a good one. If you buy a db you will never have to own another blind as long as you live. A life time warranty and they are a great blind. The other blinds that I have had always break and just don't stand up to the back country. I would say we have had ours set up 200 times and still looks good and is in good shape. Spend the money and you will have it for life. I live in MT. and have had mine in bad rain storms heavy winds and in rough country and shows me how well they are built.

RE: Opinion on Ground Blinds
 

I am sure you are right just dont have the money up front to buy one, not even a second hand, or factory second........ dont doubt it will hold but the money up front!

RE: Opinion on Ground Blinds
 

Chucker,
I had the doghouse and the Brickhouse. The brickhouse was bigger inside being a hub style blind. The penthouse is the bigger brother of the brickhouse and is awesome. I do not own one but 2 of us hunted with a bow from it. It was heavy (around 20 lbs) but worth it.
The brickhouse was around $129 and the penthouse was $179
Once you start getting into the penthopuse size blinds they are harder to conceal.
From both the doghouse and the brickhouse i have had deer walk right up to them with or without the mesh windows. The key for me was to keep the backside windows shut to allow no sillohette.

RE: Opinion on Ground Blinds
 

I have an Eastman Outfitter's Carbon Venture, and I'm happy with it. I got it new on eBay at a great price. It doesn't have the Safari System or the magnetic window fasteners (both of which I would like to have), but it is easy to set-up and take down. I got caught in a downpour (more like a monsoon) last fall and it kept me dry! With the pack-style straps on the bag it is fairly easy to carry. I carry it turkey hunting and some mornings walk a mile or more calling before I set-up (and in NC it's warm during turkey season). There is enough room in the bag for a small roll-up tripod stool, and at the top of the bag for two rolled-up decoys, so all I need is a fanny-pack strapped in front of me for my calls, etc. Also the mesh doesn't affect fixed broadheads, but for turkey I shoot mechanicals and take the mesh out.
Good blind, easy to carry and set-up. Get the newer model with magnetic window fasteners (velcro is noisy). I give it an 8 out of 10.

RE: Opinion on Ground Blinds
 

NC, got to agree, the carrying straps are great for transport and you are also right about the velcro. Used it last Spring for turkeys the first time to keep us dry and hold two of us. Well the velcro made a heck of a noise trying to remove for the shotguns..... we thought no way would any bird stick around. They did but never came in. My solution is to remove the velcro windows and in a seperate quiet bag in the case, then when i get it set up and want to screen in a window, I pull out the piece and stick it up. makes no noise going on just coming off! [8D]:)

RE: Opinion on Ground Blinds
 

I use the Ameristep ,but I can see the Double Bull coming in the future ,so as far as room goes I think it's pretty much the best on the market ,a little pricey but well worth every dollar you'll pay for it .

nubo

RE: Opinion on Ground Blinds
 

The keys in finding a blind right for you is. Get what you can afford and before you buy one try it out. Ask the store if you can get into the blind and act like you are drawing a bow. If you are at a store that sells bows ask if you can use one a draw it back inside the blind. My favorite blind is the Matrix by Double Bull.

RE: Opinion on Ground Blinds
 

yes have to agree, what you like, does the job and can afford!

RE: Opinion on Ground Blinds
 

I have a question about the Double Bulls:
How long do you think you can leave one set up? I would like for the deer to get used to it, so I was thinking several weeks before the season started I would set it up, but I don't want to ruin it since it costs and arm and a leg, and whatever else you're not using at the time of purchase!!!!! I know it's durable, but is it durable enough to be in the weather that long??? Thanks!!!