What to do on a rain day?

[Bucksnbears]

Ya build a deer stand. Lol.
I knew I'd be stranded at my hunting cabin for a couple days due to rain, so I went n bought material to build a blind.
Started early this morning and quit at beer thirty ( 5p.m)
To muddy to get back there so I framed/ sheathed the walls and had to carry it all by hand about 150 yards. This was alot of hard work for an old fella!.
I actually dispise sitting in a blind but the older I get, don't really like sitting in the rain/ cold/ snow anymore.
Where I built this is about 20 yards from an annual SUPERB travel route/ scrape line between 2 major bedding areas and on the very edge of a 1/10 acre food plot tucked way back along a riverbottom.

Got the main frame done today but need to put windows,doors in and tighten in up to make it totally scent proof. That's a daunting chore in itself!. And shingle it.
All in all, I made 19 trips there,19 back to my cabin where I did the work.
Here are a few pics..
Bucks is one pooped fella. !!!. Gonna drink some beer, pork roast on the grill and hit the sack early.
I build quite a few blinds for others but I always make sure they know, ( as long as I can drive to the building site).
Will pick away as time allows.

 

[Sligh1]

That’s awesome!! That’s a place I would love to be at in the fall!!!!
Im with u on the blinds… love my tree stands…. Full experience!!! But…. Once late November hits or crumby weather…. I can tell I am getting soft with age. Nice comfy blinds are kinda nice. I like that the first couple months are stands & then blinds later on.
U did that in one day?!? Impressive!! I wish I had building skills!!!

 

[Bucksnbears]

Skip, I'm a builder/ carpenter (35) years
I can do 2 a day if I can access the spot.

This one kicked my tail as I had to hand carry Everything by hand.
On beer 7 now. Couple more and it's bedtime.
Lol.
The part I strive for is being 100% air tight. That will come as time allows.
Get a Mn tag. Your welcome to come hunt.
Seldom get bucks over 150" even with age but...


Thanks.

 

[Bucksnbears]

Just about done.
Needs shingles and a smudge/ smoke test.
I added a layer of 3/4" ridged foam on the floor and a layer of 1/2" plywood over that.
With carpet, it's super quite.
The main trail where the deer use. Not uncommon to see 10 bucks a day use it.
Ladino clover planted 2 weeks ago into Rye is coming in nicely.

 

[Sligh1]

Just about done.
Needs shingles and a smudge/ smoke test.
I added a layer of 3/4" ridged foam on the floor and a layer of 1/2" plywood over that.
With carpet, it's super quite.
The main trail where the deer use. Not uncommon to see 10 bucks a day use it.
Ladino clover planted 2 weeks ago into Rye is coming in nicely.

10 bucks a day! In MN- that’s dang good!!!!!! In MI…. I’d have a few spots in Ottawa county where u maybe averaged 0-1 buck a day!! S MI in van buren county (probably better co in the state) is maybe 3-4 where I hunted. That’s really good.

I’m curious what inside looks like and how u sealed it up if u go to one & get interior pics someday. How u seal it to keep those flies out. Even companies that do this as their business - they can’t seem to get the blinds sealed right.

Living the dream up there!!!!!

 

[Bucksnbears]

Skip, contrary to the " myth" Mn is still a great state to hunt deer.
If we could get rid of " party hunting" we could be top tier.

But then again, I SO MUCH enjoy getting together with some buddies late season (bow), and making drives. Specially when they wanna make me a poster. Lol.
I think 2 times I've 5 deer on drives.

But I digress.
The inside is just open studs.
I'm kinda cheap but may wrap the inside with super cheap Menards black carpet.
To keep it bug / scent proof, caulking,spray foam.
A smudge fire inside will show any air leaks.
If smokes escapes, bugs will find a way in.

I've built enuff for myself and others where I think (know) that my blinds are about as airtight as can be.
Nice to crawl into a blind that hasn't been opened for months and not see a single dead insect.

Windows/ doors are the main culprit. I have a certain method I use but will remain from disclosing it. May end up on somebody's youtube channel .
Lol.

Nobody asked but, the exterior is plain 1/2" plywood.
Painted with mud. The Grey colored accents are wood ash.
Both mixed with water and put on with a stiff brush.

Smash a good soupy mud into plywood and once it dries, it soaks in,sets up HARD and last for years. You can also used mortar mix.

Key is....,really grind it into the wood. Not just paint it on.

I can build a 6x6' blind for about 1200.00 in material (as shown) and 1200.00 labor.

Sure, you can buy a plastic blind, ready to go for 2500.00 bucks . Then you have to build the platform. Another expense and I haven't seen ONE YET that is dead silent during COLD temps.

I build mine on site. Posts are buried in the ground so they are permanent.
Rock solid!.

Had a contact to build 6 for a fella this spring on his 360 acres.
He died suddenly so that's not happening.

I know there is a member here that sells ready to go blinds. Can't remember who?.
No intentions of stepping on your toes.