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My attempt at a hay bale blind

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lovetohunt

Member
Here is my attempt at a hay bale blind.

The base is 6'6" x 5'. I plan on drilling a hole in each of the corner brackets and hammering 4 rebar stakes to hold it in place.



I used 3 cattle panels and cut one and welded it to the other to make the side. I then just bent it over and used fencing staples to secure it to the 2x4's. Its about 6' tall inside.


The last panel I used to weld on both ends on the bottom, the piece I had cut to use on the sides, I used on the top. It did leave about a 5" gap on on top but I think it will be ok.







All I have left is to put a door in the end and put windows in. Then wrap it in a tarp or plastic and put some erosion matting on and then it should be ready to rock.

Anyone that have bale blinds have any recommendation on window configurations? I am thinking of 2 or 3 in the front, 1 in each side and possibly one in the back that you can open and close as needed.
 
Good looking start. When you go to make the window openings, try and find a chair the same height you will be using so you can make the windows the right height. Nothing worse than having to hunch over looking at the windows or shooting. I even took my gun out when framing mine in so I'd have them the right height for shooting. Another thing to think about is if you're right or left handed to place the windows so you can comfortably shoot. You don't want to be crunched up against the side to shoot or not having the option to shoot at an angle.
 
Here are the remaining pics. I welded hinges on the the end and cut the door in. I also got the chairs in there and then cut the windows at the right height. I welded some coat hangers in there also. Then covered the whole thing with 3mil black plastic. After that I covered it with tarps. I used zip ties to hold the tarps on. After that i wrapped it with double matted erosion matting I got from Quick Supply in Johnston. I used ropes to hold the matting on then also "sewed" the ends so it held it all down nice. Right now i just set it up on a field edge.

I think it turned out pretty slick. I am estimating that I have about $120ish into it.



















 
Turned out great!!! Thanks for sharing pics of your project, hopefully somebody draws some blood out of it!
 
OK, am I only one that thinks that the two shooting holes look like eyes and the dead cedar in front of the finished product looks like a mustache? :D

Seriously, nice work, it looks like a very nice job. Have fun this fall, it should be a killer spot.
 
Looks great! $120 isn't bad at all.

How easy is it to move the blind if you want to? Is it light enough for two guys to get it loaded on a small trailer??
 
I am guessing weight is about 80-100lbs. I loaded and unloaded it myself. I just ran a rope on each side of the blind on the inside. I then just stood inside and picked it up and walked it around to where i wanted it. Felt kinda like Wile E Coyote when I was doing it. Think the neighbors think I am bat-sh*t crazy.

Now once the hay and everything gets wet, it might be a different story on weight.
 
So I went around it whole blind twice and cut it. I then took the roll and started on one side, stepped on it and pushed it over the top then back again. So the sides are 4 layers thick and the ends are 2 layers thick. Think you could get away with a couple layers, i just didn't have any help so that was the easiest for me. I also knew I had alot of material. Does that make sense? I think with a roll of matting you should should be able to get 2 blinds covered if you watch how many wraps you do.

I only covered windows with one layer and with a 40ish mile drive, some of the straw blew out. I did cover the end of the blind and top the best I could with plastic and a tarp.
 
lovetohunt said:
So I went around it whole blind twice and cut it. I then took the roll and started on one side, stepped on it and pushed it over the top then back again. So the sides are 4 layers thick and the ends are 2 layers thick. Think you could get away with a couple layers, i just didn't have any help so that was the easiest for me. I also knew I had alot of material. Does that make sense? I think with a roll of matting you should should be able to get 2 blinds covered if you watch how many wraps you do.

I only covered windows with one layer and with a 40ish mile drive, some of the straw blew out. I did cover the end of the blind and top the best I could with plastic and a tarp.
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You will likely have to re-wrap it in 3-4 years, I'm going on the 3rd year and mine could use wrapped again....other than that it has held up well.
 
Nice work. Guy at work made a hay bale blind last year he'll be jealous. Even if it got wet put in another rope for your hunting buddy and the two of you could walk it around. I can picture seeing a hay bale roaming around the corn field like some cartoon.
 
lovetohunt said:
I am guessing weight is about 80-100lbs. I loaded and unloaded it myself. I just ran a rope on each side of the blind on the inside. I then just stood inside and picked it up and walked it around to where i wanted it. Felt kinda like Wile E Coyote when I was doing it. Think the neighbors think I am bat-sh*t crazy.

Now once the hay and everything gets wet, it might be a different story on weight.
Click to expand...

We need some video of this!! :D If the deer are out of range this fall...well then you know what to do...pick up the blind and creep it towards them until you are close enough for a shot. :D That would be true Wile E Coyote style there.
 
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