Best packable blind?
 

I think I'm in the market for a hunting blind. I'd like one that is actually easy to carry in, set up and pack back up, but not too much $$$$

It doesn't have to be huge, but perhaps big enough for me to actually move around in with a bow and have maybe a youngster with me.

Any suggestions?

RE: Best packable blind?
 

I don't know what brand Bass Pro Shops had after Christmas sale. But one of my employees bought a pop up blind for 49.00 dollars it's big enough for two men... He brought it to one of the job sites and set it up on 10 seconds, and it broke down the same way... If I was looking into a cheap blind, I would look into Bass Pro Shops... I am certainly not a Bass Pro shop advocate, but if they have more, what a deal....

RE: Best packable blind?
 

I don't know if this http://www.ameristep.com/blinds/doghousetsc.html is the best or not but it seems to work pretty good for me. Some of the features I like are the shoot thru mesh windows, zip in floor, and its large enough to bow shoot from. The TSC model is slightly larger than the regular Doghouse. I've hunted in it with my son and theres plenty of room. I sit towards the back where my draw arm will touch the back of the blind and it leaves good space to shoot the bow. It pretty much pops open to set up. Taking it down is pretty easy once you figure out how to do it. Just don't read the instructions. It fits into its own backpack and is pretty easy to pack. I've carried it pretty far with no trouble. I really like the floor when you leave it out on site. My buddies blinds don't have floors so the first thing they always do when they get to their blinds is check inside for varmints. :D

RE: Best packable blind?
 

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=789277&cp=&kw=hunting+ blind&parentPage=search&searchId=105033452 77

the doghouse is on sale at dicks for 79.99

RE: Best packable blind?
 

Look on Ebay for the Eastman OutfittersCarbon Venture with the Safari System. Best blind I have ever used for the price. You should be able to get one for between $80-$100 shipped. Beware though, make sure you get the hub style like the Double Bulls, not the pop up kind with the spring steel hoops.

RE: Best packable blind?
 

Mike, I found one on ebay. That does look like a nice blind.

RE: Best packable blind?
 

Thanks fellas! Good info!

RE: Best packable blind?
 

A good pair of ratchet pruners packs in and out easily :)

RE: Best packable blind?
 

Why not metal hoop pop-up blinds? I'm serious. I don't know the pros/cons versus hub style? And what exactly does hub style mean? Info. would be much appreciated. Thanks.

RE: Best packable blind?
 

I have an Ameristep Outhouse and it is very packable and lightweight.It is a metal hoop blind. They come paked in a backpack when it is in there it is folded flat about 3-4" thick. Very easy to get around with and I think I paid $45.00 for it.

RE: Best packable blind?
 

I have an Ameristep Doghouse. It folds up to about a 24" diameter circle, fits into its backback, and weighs about 14 lbs. It can pop up and take down in about 10 seconds. You can now get them with Scent Control.

I am kinda curious to why people don't like the metal loop blinds. The hub style acts more like an umbrella. They are nice, but pricey, and they weigh more. So why not metal loop blind?????

RE: Best packable blind?
 

It might be that, like me, some people just can't get the knack for folding them up. Just when I think I have my kids play hut figured out, I forget what I did!

RE: Best packable blind?
 

The best packable blind isa limb saw, some clippers, a couple pieces of twine, an imagination and use of the terrain. It really gets NO better or easier. If you're especially clutzy, maybe a folding seat. I also have a camo umbrealla that folds up to about 6 inches long and screws into your stablizer hole.

RE: Best packable blind?
 

Not sure I'd agree with the no easier part. I've done then natural ground blind thing and although I think it works, I feel much more on guard and on edge during the whole experience.

Anywhoo, being almost entirely concealed in a portable blind makes me more confident when drawing and aiming at the deer as well. I'm not worried the slightest movement will spook them.

To each their own, though.

In terms of folding up the hoop blinds, it can be a challenge at first. My father-in-law watched me try and do it at least a dozen times before I got the hang of it. We were both in tears laughing as after each failed attempt the blind sprang back to life.

RE: Best packable blind?
 

The Ameristep Brickhouse has been excellent for me. It has plenty of room for me and my daughter even with a bow. Great in all weather and does not move in the wind.
It is a hub style blind and weighs around 14 lbs. It is easy up and easy down. Maybe 30 seconds. $129.
I have had the doghouse blind it is also a nice blind with good room. Not as stable in the weather as the brickhouse but a little lighter arond $79.
I have also had the outhouse. Do not buy this blind for archery. Too small for 1 person with a bow no less bringing someone with you. Around $49

RE: Best packable blind?
 

As stated by others the hoop style blinds are a pain to fold back up. The other down side is that they are not nearly as tight when popped up so you can get a good bit of wind flap which I can tell you from experence the deer will not tolerate. I'm not sure about the other hoop style blinds but my Buddy has an Ameristep Roundhouse 360 which is a big blind. It is a metal hoop style and he has to put 3 fiberglass shock corded poles inside it like you would a tent and it's still not as tight and stable as my Brickhouse or especially my Double Bull.

RE: Best packable blind?
 

I have 4 hoop type & one hub. The hub's never been hunting yet mostly because I'm accustomed to the others. Once you get the hang of it theyre a simple thing to fold up.
I have 2 dog house blinds, 1 Yukon tracks commander which is similar to the dog house but much bigger & a hunters view lodge, again like a dog house but much bigger, 7'X7' if I remember right. I took 2 deer from the yukon tracks blind tonight after work & coulda shot at least one more. If you let the blind sit awhile so the deer get used to it & they dont smell you they dont realize whats going on when their buddy runs off & drops.
I hunt from tree stands too but more & more I like the pop up blinds.
In my experience the deer couldn't care less about them as long as they dont see you coming & going or smell you.
Maybe I'm missing something but I cant make myself pay a couple hundred for a good hub type when every one I have cost less than a hundred delivered.
Someone mentioned an outhouse blind. I have one of those too. It was my first attempt at a pop up & its way too small for me to bowhunt from. It can come in handy as it can be unzipped & opened to make a sort of 3 sided blind. I'v set it up against a ledge like that before & felt it would have worked if a deer woulda come by but it wouldn't be something I bought had I known what I know now. Might be frine with a gun tho.

RE: Best packable blind?
 

I have a Eastman Outfitters Carbon Express..... love it