Ground Blind Question

[AZHunter]

The following was posted by a friend down here on Coueswhitetail.com. Its been a few years since I've shopped for or read up on ground blinds because I love my Double Bull Dark Horse. I told him I'd check with some friends back home who are diehard ground blind users. Can you guys throw some advice insight out there that I can pass along? Much appreciated!

I may see if he needs help on his bison hunt!

"I am going to need a ground blind for my bison hunt this summer. My treestand is what I normally take on hunts in the woods but the long hours in the blind that this hunt requires along with the anatomy of the bison make a ground blind a much better choice.

I want one that is durable, will keep me relatively dry during heavy rain, and able to shoot both a gun or a bow from without a lot of trouble. Room for two is probably a huge plus but not an absolute requirement. Same goes for one that I can stand up and shoot in, maybe a cool option but not a must. Quality and dependability is the most important feature I am after.

I would just go buy a Double Bull but since Primos took over from them, it seems like maybe the quality has gone down based on the reports from current models. The old ones are great but you can't buy them anymore. How about Ameristep or Barronet or maybe the Cabela's models? Any advice from you guys that have used these a lot. I have never owned one so I am basically clueless about them other than what I can read on the net.

Thanks for your suggestions!"

 

[Fishbonker]

I'm in the market for a new blind as well so I'm all ears on this one.

 

[Deer Nut]

I believe my Rhino blind is the best blind I've ever owned. I have had one issue on a bad stitch in a strap. I believe it was a production line issue for a certain number of blinds consecutively. It was no big deal, fixed it myself. But as far as height, shooting either types of weapons, durability and keeping the rain out I really like it. It is a very roomy, tough blind with multiple types of windows.
Here is a link:

http://www.rhinoblinds.com/rhino-blind-xp-101.aspx

 

[Liv4Rut]

I agree with deernut on the rhino blind. They are great. I like the backside shooting windows better than the double bull blinds as they are all the proper height. That was my biggest beef with the double bull dark horse. Two of the windows are too low for me.

I do like the 180 degree window slightly better on the DB than the rhino blind but that is simply because the front goes a little lower for smaller shooters. If your 6ft or so its no big deal in the rhino.

I feel the rhino is built like a tank. The new ones have a non zipper door which would be nice.

If I had to pick one blind to do it all it would be the rhino blind. If I was picking just one blind for turkey hunting it would be a new DB blind. The big 180 degree window doesn't bother turkeys.

For deer that is a different story therefore the back window setup is better in the rhino vs dbl bull.

For bison I'm assuming you wouldn't use the big 180 window therefore I would think the rhino would be better.

 

[rc10pt]

Love my DB double wide and also own a rhino xp-1. If $$ is no issue then go DB, that said, you can get 2 rhinos for 1 DB. In my opinion, if you are hiking a long way then the rhino is by far better. The case is far better ergonomically for me to strap it on then strap my pack to it. My DB case is awkward at best, but if I plan on leaving it setup, then I'll opt for the DB. Also the hubs and rods are built a little better in the dbs. Sent from my iPhone using IW

 

[Liv4Rut]

Out of curiosity rc10pt. Is your rhino a 2015 model or an older model. I believe they were redone in 2015. The rods and hubs on mine seem extremely tough. I am not sure how the previous models were.

I am currently working to make my rhino into what I would consider the perfect blind. The 180 degree window is essentially like a curtain that goes over the 180 opening. You can configure it many different ways but what I really wanted for antelope / deer hunting was actual shooting ports.

I cut out 6 new windows in the 180 section and now I will have 8 windows going around the front of the blind. Should work awesome for deer and antelope. Turkey wouldn't be bad either when you have a bunch of people in the blind. It is taking a while to complete as I have a lot of sewing to do. I can still use the 180 window as intended which is a great option.

Here is the start of it. So far I am only working on this quarter of the blind. Still have the other quarter to do.

 

[rc10pt]

Out of curiosity rc10pt. Is your rhino a 2015 model or an older model. I believe they were redone in 2015. The rods and hubs on mine seem extremely tough. I am not sure how the previous models were. I am currently working to make my rhino into what I would consider the perfect blind. The 180 degree window is essentially like a curtain that goes over the 180 opening. You can configure it many different ways but what I really wanted for antelope / deer hunting was actual shooting ports. I cut out 6 new windows in the 180 section and now I will have 8 windows going around the front of the blind. Should work awesome for deer and antelope. Turkey wouldn't be bad either when you have a bunch of people in the blind. It is taking a while to complete as I have a lot of sewing to do. I can still use the 180 window as intended which is a great option. Here is the start of it. So far I am only working on this quarter of the blind. Still have the other quarter to do.

Yeah mine was purchased 2013-2014 so if they've changed I can't speak on that. I would add though, any issues I ever had with broken rods were taken care of fast by Daryl jolley.

Sent from my iPhone using IW

 

[Forestryguy]

Liv4Rut Good idea. I might try the same thing, except put buttons or snaps on top and bottom of the 180 with fabric that can removed.

 

[Oct-Lull]

Rhinos are awesome. The new ones with the zipperless door are even better. Never had any issues.