New ground blind

[sprucegum]

As I get older hunting from a stationary ground blind has more appeal. I've got one near the house that has worked well for archery hunting. I have a new one almost done, it took a lot more time than I thought and I'm planning on 2 more. It's mostly home milled lumber and scrounged materials. The roof has 3 different color shingles. I'm about to drop a little money on plexiglass and hinges for the windows. I expect to have less than $150 out of pocket in each one, maybe my sons and grandson will help me out .

 

[DLJeffs]

Shouldn't it look more like a tree or a bush or a rock or something? That looks more like one of those roadside check point guard shacks from a WWII movie.

 

[SENC]

Good looking blind, just hope your deer aren't picky about roofing aesthetics!

 

[SENC]

Shouldn't it look more like a tree or a bush or a rock or something? That looks more like one of those roadside check point guard shacks from a WWII movie.

Deer don't care, if he'd plant a few rose bushes beside it he could pet them while they eat!

 

[sprucegum]

Deer don't care, if he'd plant a few rose bushes beside it he could pet them while they eat!

I figured different color shingles could qualify for camo. Deer don't pay much attention to these as long as you get them out early so they get accustomed to them. I may spray a coat of dark stain on it.

 

[sprucegum]

Deer don't care, if he'd plant a few rose bushes beside it he could pet them while they eat!

I figured different color shingles could qualify for camo. Deer don't pay much attention to these as long as you get them out early so they get accustomed to them. I may spray a coat of dark stain on it. You will likely only

 

[SENC]

I figured different color shingles could qualify for camo. Deer don't pay much attention to these as long as you get them out early so they get accustomed to them. I may spray a coat of dark stain on it.

I think you're on to something with the camo shingles pattern!

The only reason I'd consider spraying a dark stain would be to reduce contrast with the windows - they'll look like black holes when not backlit (I'm assuming you'll have some type of window covering on the inside so they can't see movement within).

EDIT: just remembered you're adding hinged plexiglass... tinted?

 

[Steve in VA]

Nice!!!

Get some camo or dark burlap and hang it on the inside to cover the windows, along with the plexiglass. Instant cover from the sides and behind your shooting lanes and provides a ton of flexibility to “open” and “close” your shooting lanes and lighting as desired. Or take it a step further and use the one way fabric used in modern blinds. That stuff is amazing.

Your blind should give you years of enjoyment!

 

[Webb]

Go into the local paint store and you can pick up miss mixed paint for a song. Get them to add additional tint in different shades. A cheap handheld sprayer and you’re good to go and the wood will be protected.

 

[sprucegum]

Nice!!!

Get some camo or dark burlap and hang it on the inside to cover the windows, along with the plexiglass. Instant cover from the sides and behind your shooting lanes and provides a ton of flexibility to “open” and “close” your shooting lanes and lighting as desired. Or take it a step further and use the one way fabric used in modern blinds. That stuff is amazing.

Your blind should give you years of enjoyment!

In our other blinds we have covered the glass in the less likely windows almost completely with landscape fabric just leaving a peek hole. I prefer to hinge my windows to fold down. I'm thinking of hanging the curtains on the window so they fold down with it.

 

[Steve in VA]

In our other blinds we have covered the glass in the less likely windows almost completely with landscape fabric just leaving a peek hole. I prefer to hinge my windows to fold down. I'm thinking of hanging the curtains on the window so they fold down with it.

Perfect! I’m sure you’ll be nice and cozy, along with well concealed in there. Happy hunting!

 

[Mr. Peet]

Well, you could just use rails (pocket rails) and slide the plexi either up or down. I'd do down. Other reason for sliding, when you swing a window you create glare at certain angles, when you slide the plexi down, the angle has not changed. Saves $ on hinges too.

 

[sprucegum]

Well, you could just use rails (pocket rails) and slide the plexi either up or down. I'd do down. Other reason for sliding, when you swing a window you create glare at certain angles, when you slide the plexi down, the angle has not changed. Saves $ on hinges too.

I've tried sliders before. They have a couple of problems, it's hard to get them tight enough to stop drafts and when the November and December weather hits they freeze shut as soon as you turn off the Buddy heater.

 

[Mr. Peet]

I've tried sliders before. They have a couple of problems, it's hard to get them tight enough to stop drafts and when the November and December weather hits they freeze shut as soon as you turn off the Buddy heater.

Yes they do. never had them tight. always had them loose. Drafts were not an issue. Most of the stands in the family don't even have windows, just gaping holes to look out and use. I was not thinking of a heater. However, on that subject, you may want to look into the LP extension line they make for Buddy Heaters. It hooks into a 20 pounder (or bigger) allowing you to put the cold sink outside versus inside the same place you are trying to heat. I know it makes a huge difference for the ice fishing hut.

 

[sprucegum]

Yes they do. never had them tight. always had them loose. Drafts were not an issue. Most of the stands in the family don't even have windows, just gaping holes to look out and use. I was not thinking of a heater. However, on that subject, you may want to look into the LP extension line they make for Buddy Heaters. It hooks into a 20 pounder (or bigger) allowing you to put the cold sink outside versus inside the same place you are trying to heat. I know it makes a huge difference for the ice fishing hut.

We have a couple of the hose kits and I refill 1 pound cylinders. I prefer to sit with no heat and the main shooting lane window open. December muzzleloader season can be pretty brutal and if you want to sit still for more than an hour heat is the way to go. Most of the time in November just keeping the wind , rain, and snow off is enough for a couple hours.

 

[Wildthings]

Ifn it was me I would have the backside windows solid plywood, that way they couldn't silhouette me. Yes, December hunting is brutal. Sometimes it gets all the way down to 30*

 

[DLJeffs]

I still think it needs to look more like a bush or rock or something. Based on what the deer do around me - I'd make it look like the flowers and plants we plant around the house because the deer can't resist them.

 

[sprucegum]

Ifn it was me I would have the backside windows solid plywood, that way they couldn't silhouette me. Yes, December hunting is brutal. Sometimes it gets all the way down to 30*

We are all RT handed shooters, the left hand corner has no windows so it makes a good hiding place. All of the windows will have a black curtain. This blind will replace a rather crude and deterioated blind. Two bucks and a doe have been harvested out of the rear window, two bucks have been harvested out of the front. I built this one with this spot in mind. Years ago my cousin and I spent a day hunting in December muzzleloader season. It never got above zero all day, we met up at noon and built a fire to thaw our sandwiches and warm up. We worked our way back closer to the road planning to watch a couple of trails until dark. I was determined not to be the quitter, I was very relieved when I heard the truck door close and the engine start 45 minutes before dark.