Ground blinds

[Bearcat]

I am looking at buying an Ameristep Doghouse ground blind. This will be my first ground blind purchase. I don't want to spend much on the first one for the very fact that I want to see if I am going to use it that much. I have a couple of spots where the trees are minimal yet the deer are numerous, so I thought about hunting from a blind there to see what happens. The only drawback about some of the blinds is that they advertise they have shoot-through mesh windows. I don't know how well that would work with my Spitfire mechanical broad heads. The other plus about the blind is that I would be able to take my daughters and maybe even my wife with me on a few early season hunts. What do you all think?

 

[DoneRight]

I don't know how well that would work with my Spitfire mechanical broad head. What do you all think?

Mechanical broadheads and shoot thru mesh don't mix. Like cooter said if you can make a blind out of natural material, do it. Otherwise make sure the blind is brushed in as good as possible.

 

[emercer84]

great advise from cooter! also those doghouse blinds are too small to bowhunt out of. just invest in a bigger one and brush it in good. also hunt off the ground some and make sure you like it and it works for you. i love hunting off the ground keeps ya mobile if need be. natural blinds work very well.

 

[goatman]

Yes the doghouse is difficult to bow hunt in. But you can cut slits in the mesh to shoot through. Also the blinds are alot warmer than the open in cold weather. Deer react to blinds differently. Some never pay any attention to a same day set. I can sit all day in a blind where I couldn't in a tree.Try it you might be a ground hugger.

 

[Bucknduck]

I have always set my blind up so I can sit towards the back of the blind where it's dark. I keep those windows shut and pull the mesh down so there's enough room to get a clean shot off without compromising myself. You'll know where your shooting lanes are going to be. I think being quiet inside the blind and having the blind set up for a while so the deer can get used to it is the most important things.

 

[tommyls1313]

Agreed that the dog house is to small to bow hunt out of. I shot my first long beard from a dog house and it was very difficult. I was back all the way against the back wall and had to stick my arrow out the front window to start my draw cycle. Granted I'm 6'2" with a 30" draw. You may be a smaller guy with a shorter draw and find it easier to do

 

[oldgene]

I've been shooting out of ground blinds for years and as others have said the doghouse is a little to small, especially if you are planning to put another person in it. If you can build a natural blind that's the best, but unless you build it real high you still can't move around in it as much as a commercial blind. The commercial blind will also be warmer and all you need for clothing is something dark instead of buying lots of camo. Don't shoot thru the mesh, leave it partial open or cut a hole, whatever. Good luck

 

[Crockett]

The deer do not like the black holes of the windows!! I have set up pop up blinds and had deer in to 20 yd.s the same day!! No brushing!But.......they were not trophy bucks and the camo pattern was alot better than is now available!!! And I had a decoy out to not worry them so much about the blind!!!