Archery Ground blind

[Johnb317]

My hunting partner wants to get some ground blinds.
He's been told the Double Bull Blind  (Pricey!)..... I searched reviews on this and found the double bull darkhorse was liked, but no love for the new iteration.

Any suggestions?  Brondell, Rhino, Cabelas brand.....

Thanks!

[h20hunter]

Tag as I am in the market for a 2 man blind.

[bowhunterforever]

Get a double bull, best ground blind made. Spendy but worth the money and have a lifetime warranty. Ameristep blinds aren't to bad but there built cheaper then the double bulls.

[Russ McDonald]

I am 6'1" and here is what I found.  In order to sit at a good height and have good window space the best blinds are the Primos Ground Max which I have.  74" center height and sit at a good height good window height.  I can stand and draw my bow but the cams hit the roof.  I got it at Work Sports Outdoors for $129.00.  I shot my muley out of it last year.  I want a second blind and am looking at the Big Mike's by Barronett.  I saw one in Sportsmen's Wharehouse for $159.00  Center height is 81" pretty decent foot print also the Primos Club XL and XXL.  The XL is 73" center height and the XXL is 78".  I am the most interested in the Big Mike.

[earlmarne]

my baronett big mike i think its called has worked well for me thus far

[Tbob]

I'd like to get a blind as well this year, but I'm confused about the "shoot through" windows? Do people really shoot there arrows through this stuff at animals?

[h20hunter]

I would not. I've only shot one deer out of a blind and simply kept it shut up fairly tight other than my shooting window. I'll skip shooting through anything thank you.

[Bean Counter]

I have the Ameristep Penthouse. It was cheap and it is huge. Easily two hunters inside.  I have hunted it several times and it is still in one piece. You can shot a bow standing up if you want.

I've never killed an animal from it. 

[ghosthunter]

I have three Ameristep hub blinds. I hunt muzzy elk. The elk will walk right up to it if you thatch it out with vegetation.

We place the blinds couple days before the season and stock them with pop, water, chair, and other items. Than just hike into them and sit down.

I buy the cheap ones $100.00? Get four five years out of them than replace.

If you get a new one set it up rub dust all over it. Forget the stakes that come with it. Use dollar store screw drivers for stakes. keep them right in the blind bag.

[bowhunterforever]

I'd like to get a blind as well this year, but I'm confused about the "shoot through" windows? Do people really shoot there arrows through this stuff at animals?

Shooting though the mesh screen doesn't affect arrow flight at all if you your shooting a 60- 70lb bow, not sure if it would effect lighter draw weight bows

[BULLBLASTER]

I have shot many deer through the windows of my blind. From 4 yards out to 35. No affect at all on arrow flight. I was very skeptical at first also.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

I just got the ameristep brick house 98 bucks shipped from e bay.  shot the bow out of it last night.  Kind of awkward.  But im sure it will be easier to blow the muzzy off out of this year with my son.  Two people could sit fine in it but shooting the bow might be a crunch.

[Johnb317]

Looks like I'll have to drive to Cabelas and kick tires.
Primos
Cabelas
Rhino
Baronett
Ameristep

Seem to be the major competitors.... I'm thinking headroom, fabric, and setup are all .
The American Hunter did a test on shooting through Mesh - but only out to 25 yards.
   Mechanical broadheads were not recommended (moot point in WA) and they suggest shooting as perpendicular to the mesh as possible.
  I'd hate to lose a shot shooting through mesh though. 
Please keep the reviews coming!

Thanks!

[Bean Counter]

I'd like to get a blind as well this year, but I'm confused about the "shoot through" windows? Do people really shoot there arrows through this stuff at animals?

Shooting though the mesh screen doesn't affect arrow flight at all if you your shooting a 60- 70lb bow, not sure if it would effect lighter draw weight bows

+1. I put several holes in the shoot through mesh of my blind. I even shot at an angle and there was no noticeable effect.

[buddy01]

 I have a primos, and love it.Had it 7yrs now Took off the shoot through Thay cant see ya if your in black.. . Have deer walk 10ft. Thay can here you .were quite clothes

[grundy53]

I have a Baronetts and like it. Now I just need some patients.

sent from my typewriter

[go4itlab]

I have 2 double bull blinds. The ones I have have no Velcro window are held with magnets and screens slide to allow for shooting lanes to be made. Like them a lot usually set them up a month before the season starts, brush it in real good and leave them out until season is over. Have numerous encounters every year with critters having no idea I'm there. One of them I had some issues with the zipper. Took it the canvass boat covers shop, had them add a heavy duty zipper.. problem solved. Newer one came with a heavier zipper. I would not!!!! shoot through the screen unless it was literally right up on me. Meaning a couple yards even then I would consider waiting till it passed into one of my shooting lanes. Just my  ... never have wanted to chance it

[returnofsid]

I purchased my first blind, a Primos Club XXL, during Spring Turkey season. Plenty of room for two archery shooters.  My 8 year old daughter and I both fit in it, with folding camp chairs, while still providing plenty of room for me to shoot.  I shot my first turkey out of it, and shot through the window mesh.  No issues whatsoever and a perfect muzzy shape in the mesh.

The quality of the blind could be better. I can see pin holes of light in several stitching areas.  I also wish the blind were a bit lighter.  However, the frame is high quality, which explains the weight.  I'd never owned a blind so didn't know what to expect.  The frame is built similar to the tent poles of a dome tent, but instead of shock cord, it has steel cable running through it.

Overall, I'm happy with the purchase and expect it to last several years. 

[Bean Counter]

I have noticed the same thing that Sid has. Lots of visible light in the Ameristep. Fortunately I haven't been in the rain in it as I'm guessing it would leak. Still happy with the purchase esp for the cost.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

Yeah my Americastep shows some light.  I would think the water would run off it fine.     I could always spray it down with silicone.  That stuff makes the water run off anything!

[MIKEXRAY]

Watch craigslist, always a couple on there.   I got a nicer Ameristep that retails for $ 279  for $ 75, brand new in the box.

[Johnb317]

Update...
As maybe mentioned above, I'm not into ground blinds but my hunting partner wanted to get a couple and if the mosquitoes are out like last season - may not be such a bad idea.

So we picked up a Primos Club XXL, and a Big Mike ground blind.
Delivered price was about the same for each..... 170.00

Primos
> 23.2 lbs cordura soft to touch fabric
> Windows drop inside and better seal for bugs. Screen is the outer window 
> Window ( no screen) in roof.
> Both have zipper entry
> 35" ground to bottom of window
> 40" bottom of triangle 68" tall at corner. 77 at center
Nice big Bag with shoulder straps (not padded)

> Big mike
>19.7 lbs,  Slick nylon
> Screen is inner window
> 41" to bottom of triangle
> 38-28" on side windows
> 71" tall at corner
> 79" at center
Snug fit in bag but has shoulder straps
Lower windows on side

Both pop up and take down the same way and very quickly.
Their hubs are slightly different.... but work basically the same way
Zipper door for both (not really a door, just where the two sides come together.
Both black on the inside.

Hope this helps

[irishevox]

double bull is super roomy also you can fit two grown men with gear in bows just as easily as the pentagon blind for 1/2 the price.  I love the pentagon blind after 3 years of up and down usage the rods in it finally broke... witha little tape good as new