Anybody ever build one of these?

[fishnfur]

I'm contemplating building an elevated two-person blind, something like the one pictured below.  Does anyone have experience and/or guidance relating to design or other features that might limit my mistakes before they happen?  I'm not planning anything too fancy, just something to get up in elevation, out of the weather, and also allow some occasional standing/stretching movements without alerting the critters out in the reprod. where I plan to put it.

Thanks for any suggestions!

[JimmyHoffa]

Carpet or some kind of sound absorbing material helps a lot.  Bumping your foot against the wall can be noisy.

[headshot5]

If it were me, I'd make it wide enough to fit a cot in there. 

[Southpole]

Yes, we built one. We call it the espresso stand, it’s ridiculously over built  . I’ll get pictures up later.

[PolarBear]

Ask Tod Reichert.  His tree stand overlooking his oat hat fields is super dee-luxe and set up where several guys can "hunt" in maximum comfort and quiet.  Think you could hold a dance party in there and not alert the critters.   

[Jpmiller]

I don't think ol Tod is up for giving out any advice anymore. I've thought about this too and I would insulate walls floor and ceiling both for noise and for warmth. Removable windows too. I'm curious to see anyone elses pictures.

[fishnfur]

Thanks for your responses.  I figured there were quite a few out there, especially on the East side ag. areas. 

The windows are one of the big questions for me.  Some people use framed sliding type; some use a hinged lift up or drop down type.  JPMiller says removable - I'm assuming Plexiglas inserts that could be pulled out for hunting.  A vertical window or two makes sense for use during archery season, though that complicates design and raises costs a bit.  In some ways, keeping it simple with just sliding Plexiglas windows, a flat sloped roof and a lockable door might be all I really need.  A box with four cutout windows and a door.  I imagine it would be used primarily for Muzzleloader or Modern Rifle Season when I'm more likely to hit the road to hunt, but ya never know what might come up down the road.  It would be very easy to get crazy and overbuild.

Carpet seems to be standard on the floor.  In my mind that necessitates the box is absolutely watertight or very exposed to drying breezes. Otherwise, a wet carpet might lead to massive mold/mildew problems if it remained wet for several weeks in a warm box.  Maybe indoor/outdoor carpet ??

I'm thinking that since I'm working alone, I'll build it complete at home, dismantle into workable sections, then re-assemble onsite.  That sounds good in theory.  I'm not sure it is workable in a real life situation.  Things getting a little out of plumb in the field might change alignment of pre-drilled holes etc..  I've got a small tractor that may make up-righting the stand and lifting walls up to the platform easier, but the headache of trailering the tractor two-plus hours each way makes my head hurt just thinking about it.  Assembly starts sounding like a two-day project very quickly.

I'd love to see pics if anyone has some to post.

Thanks again!

[headshot5]

Also I'd put some aluminum flashing on (around) your poles to keep mice from climbing up.   

[fishnfur]

Good thought!

[NRA4LIFE]

I've built numerous elevated stands.  The one thing I would suggest is to not use wood for the supports.  It just doesn't last, even if treated and stained or painted.  Use 2-3" galvanized conduit, depending on the height.  The conduit stands I put up on my place in Missouri have now nearly 25 years on them and still holding.  The wooden ones have long since died.

[JJB11B]

I've built numerous elevated stands.  The one thing I would suggest is to not use wood for the supports.  It just doesn't last, even if treated and stained or painted.  Use 2-3" galvanized conduit, depending on the height.  The conduit stands I put up on my place in Missouri have now nearly 25 years on them and still holding.  The wooden ones have long since died.

not only that but we seem to be getting pretty good at catching Washington on fire these days

[fishnfur]

I've built numerous elevated stands.  The one thing I would suggest is to not use wood for the supports.  It just doesn't last, even if treated and stained or painted.  Use 2-3" galvanized conduit, depending on the height.  The conduit stands I put up on my place in Missouri have now nearly 25 years on them and still holding.  The wooden ones have long since died.

Interesting.  What hardware do you use to connect conduit legs to the underside of platform?  There are several systems available to attach 4x4 lumber legs so they angle out at an angle.

[Mallardmasher]

Rigid conduit comes in 10’ pieces. I think I would use 3”” black iron pipe you can get in your desired length. And then just weld black iron beam brackets to the top to support your joists. If you need help? Sounds like fun

[fishnfur]

There's always this method....

[KFhunter]

deeelux blinds like that are a fantastic way to get kids out hunting, and older folks too.  I'd build it with a wheel chair ramp, drive a hoveround up in it. 

[spin05]

its funny every field in Wisconson has atleast one of these.Same thing in Germany. rarely see em here

[Alchase]

If hunting with a rifle, ensure you put sound absorbing material on the wall and roof. Your ears will thank you after you shoot.

[carpsniperg2]

I’ve seen some pretty reasonable priced tower blinds on amazon and often thought about getting a couple.

[fishnfur]

Insulation for sound reduction, both mine and my gun's is a great idea. 
I played with the Amazon idea.  After reviewing all the blinds and towers, the price was going to be somewhere between $800 and $1500 at a minimum - even for the poorly made leaking/snow collapsing models. 

I think I'll be able to get this thing done for under $500 and it will fit my needs, but I'm still getting hung up on little issues such as which side to put the door on, or whether to use a trap door opening in the bottom.  There's no right answer in a lot of cases, it seems to be what makes most sense at the time.  I'm sure that will all change once it is done and been used a few times.  Then it will alll be crystal clear how I should have built it.

[carpsniperg2]

I have thought about this one and then covering it even though that would reduce the max weight to about 350.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HF8PKBI/ref=sxbs_sxwds-stvpv2_3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=3233965245922079678&pd_rd_wg=nny8u&pf_rd_r=0C67YB5JSY2G4STC5YHG&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-bottom-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B01HF8PKBI&pd_rd_w=GgOfq&pf_rd_i=tower+blind+for+hunting&pd_rd_r=234bf772-575d-4d75-afdf-9f9213698e1a&ie=UTF8&qid=1528174760&sr=3

Just tossing it out there.

[CAMPMEAT]

If hunting with a rifle, ensure you put sound absorbing material on the wall and roof. Your ears will thank you after you shoot.

FYI: the end of the barrel should be outside of the blind before you fire it. That's where the noise is...........just sayin'..

[NRA4LIFE]

A buddy of mine had a huge conduit bender that we used.  I put a slight bend in the tops of the conduit to vertically match the 2X6 bottoms for the stand platform.    I built the bases on the ground twice as big as the stand itself.  I drilled through the conduit to bolt them into both corners of the stand, all 4.  I don't think I have any close up pictures but you can see one of them from space!  A built a metal conduit ladder to get up into the stand.  I also built 10' ladder stands out of conduit for smaller, more portable stands.  All the stands built out of conduit are still standing and usable.  The wood based stands lasted maybe 10-12 years, the conduit stands are still going strong.

[Mallardmasher]

Pinterest has lots of ideas and plans for elevated blonds

[Jonathan_S]

If hunting with a rifle, ensure you put sound absorbing material on the wall and roof. Your ears will thank you after you shoot.

FYI: the end of the barrel should be outside of the blind before you fire it. That's where the noise is...........just sayin'..

One time on a muzzleloader hunt, I took an unplanned shot through the far corner which led to the gun being entirely within the ground blind when fired.  I'm not sure which of us hit the deck faster, me or the deer 

[h20hunter]

Pinterest has lots of ideas and plans for elevated blonds

Ok. I looked online for elevated blonds and found some interesting material. Hang on, be right back.....IT is calling.

[crowinghen]

Pinterest has lots of ideas and plans for elevated blonds

Ok. I looked online for elevated blonds and found some interesting material. Hang on, be right back.....IT is calling.

ha ha Good one!

[fishnfur]

A buddy of mine had a huge conduit bender that we used.  I put a slight bend in the tops of the conduit to vertically match the 2X6 bottoms for the stand platform.    I built the bases on the ground twice as big as the stand itself.  I drilled through the conduit to bolt them into both corners of the stand, all 4.  I don't think I have any close up pictures but you can see one of them from space!  A built a metal conduit ladder to get up into the stand.  I also built 10' ladder stands out of conduit for smaller, more portable stands.  All the stands built out of conduit are still standing and usable.  The wood based stands lasted maybe 10-12 years, the conduit stands are still going strong.

That conduit base sounds like a great setup.  I decided to keep it simple and just go with pressure treated 4X4 since I don't know how to weld and don't have access to a pipe bender.  If a leg starts to deteriorate down the road, I will just replace it, probably about the time that stand of trees closes up and I can no longer see.  I'm using these Amazon compound angle brackets intended for uses like elevated stands.  Switching out legs shouldn't be a huge problem.  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002MFF5Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[NRA4LIFE]

Spin, I just seen your post and had to laugh.  I'm from WI and have built or helped build probably 25 of these.  A couple cousins of mine up in the north have cots and wood stoves in them.  That's a bit extreme.  I swear a few of these you could live in for a while.

[Jpmiller]

Spin, I just seen your post and had to laugh.  I'm from WI and have built or helped build probably 25 of these.  A couple cousins of mine up in the north have cots and wood stoves in them.  That's a bit extreme.  I swear a few of these you could live in for a while.

I've got relatives in North Dakota with setups like that. Heated, cots and an exterior deck. They play cards while someone takes a turn looking for deer lol. Last I talked they told me they had satellite tv but I'm choosing to believe that was a joke. At least I hope it was.

[JimmyHoffa]

Spin, I just seen your post and had to laugh.  I'm from WI and have built or helped build probably 25 of these.  A couple cousins of mine up in the north have cots and wood stoves in them.  That's a bit extreme.  I swear a few of these you could live in for a while.

I've got relatives in North Dakota with setups like that. Heated, cots and an exterior deck. They play cards while someone takes a turn looking for deer lol. Last I talked they told me they had satellite tv but I'm choosing to believe that was a joke. At least I hope it was.

satellite TV and the NFL package are not uncommon in deer blinds around the country.  During elk season, I know a few camps that bring their dishes and big screens, hook up to the generator and watch all the football games.

[Alchase]

If hunting with a rifle, ensure you put sound absorbing material on the wall and roof. Your ears will thank you after you shoot.

FYI: the end of the barrel should be outside of the blind before you fire it. That's where the noise is...........just sayin'..

 

LOL

[Jpmiller]

Spin, I just seen your post and had to laugh.  I'm from WI and have built or helped build probably 25 of these.  A couple cousins of mine up in the north have cots and wood stoves in them.  That's a bit extreme.  I swear a few of these you could live in for a while.

I've got relatives in North Dakota with setups like that. Heated, cots and an exterior deck. They play cards while someone takes a turn looking for deer lol. Last I talked they told me they had satellite tv but I'm choosing to believe that was a joke. At least I hope it was.

satellite TV and the NFL package are not uncommon in deer blinds around the country.  During elk season, I know a few camps that bring their dishes and big screens, hook up to the generator and watch all the football games.

Ugh, I'm choosing to believe that's a joke too.

[7mmfan]

Spin, I just seen your post and had to laugh.  I'm from WI and have built or helped build probably 25 of these.  A couple cousins of mine up in the north have cots and wood stoves in them.  That's a bit extreme.  I swear a few of these you could live in for a while.

I've got relatives in North Dakota with setups like that. Heated, cots and an exterior deck. They play cards while someone takes a turn looking for deer lol. Last I talked they told me they had satellite tv but I'm choosing to believe that was a joke. At least I hope it was.

satellite TV and the NFL package are not uncommon in deer blinds around the country.  During elk season, I know a few camps that bring their dishes and big screens, hook up to the generator and watch all the football games.

Ugh, I'm choosing to believe that's a joke too.

Definitely not a joke.

[fishnfur]

Well, I got started, then suddenly stopped dead while I wait for plexiglass before I place the shooting rails.....

Oops!  Well, if you lie on your side, you'll get the idea.

[gaddy]

First thing I notice from the pic is floor support ?

[NRA4LIFE]

How are you going to hoist that thing up onto the supports?  The last one I built, I built it horizontal on the ground then verticalized the whole mess with a big rope and truck.

[fishnfur]

First thing I notice from the pic is floor support ?

That base is framed 2 x 4 with "joists" underneath the sheathing. 

The plan for erecting the thing is to build the blind out and paint it first.  I'm using lag screws to join walls at base and to other walls.  Then I will deconstruct it down to four walls and a roof.

After that, I will mount the base onto the compound angle elevator brackets that the legs insert into.  I'm hoping that I can upright the base by hand and use of a notched board to push on the platform until it tips up onto all fours - I will test that at home.  If I can't do that by myself, then I either need to take my tractor out to the field to do it the easy way, or put the wife to work on site.  Once upright, the ladder is attached, the walls taken up one at a time and re-attached, then the roof and doors to finish.  Sounds good in theory. 

Anyone have suggestions for a roof.  A lot of people use corrugated metal 'cause it's quick, easy, light, etc.  Personally, I hate the sound of rain on metal objects near me when I'm hunting (think tin cans/garbage).  I'm leaning towards corrugated acrylic/plastic or plywood covered by the roofing material that comes on a roll, or shingles, which I already have in the garage (but that may be way too heavy).

[JimmyHoffa]

they really aren't that difficult to raise into place.  The more vertical you get, the easier it is.  While it is on the ground, you can cantilever a counterweight off the frame to assist.  Most of the time I did it, just had a few guys and started walking it up. On one used a long 2x4 and pushed it up.

[ctwiggs1]

Line the inside with outdoor carpet.  It really helps keep noise down.

[TheHunt]

One item I have put in my drift boat is 1/4 inch think rubber horse mat to quiet the floor. I bet it would be better than carpet and you could sweep it out easily. 

[fishnfur]

Thanks for all the suggestions.    I've already got it taken apart and ready to take out to the field after a last few modifications.

I may try that cantilever idea JimmyHoffa.  How much weight (and how far out) do you recommend to just get the legs and the platform up?  Probably only a hundred and fifty pounds max.  I couldn't do it by myself - I had to get the wife to help ( Sucks getting old!)

[Jpmiller]

Looks great! Had to zoom in though the fir tree paint job made it hard to find. What did you end up doing on the floor?

[fishnfur]

I found a 6 X 8 indoor/outdoor carpet at Home Depot for 18 bucks.  Folded in half, it should provide double thickness insulation and dry quicker than other materials (assuming the place isn't watertight).   

[fishnfur]

A few weeks ago, I dragged all those sections of the blind out in the cut and the next day assembled it (with the help of a couple well-muscled young men).  It wasn't the perfect spot, but it was level, easy to get to and work, and it has an unobstructed view out to that (unfortunate) house at 325 yards (firearm restricted area.  No worries -the owner of that house helped me drag out the last deer I shot there, and recently messaged me about a forkie that's been eating his apples).

It stands out like a sore thumb now, but to the deer, it will quickly look as normal as the rest of the trees.  I give it five or so years until the trees are so large that it will have limited view and need to be moved to a new spot.  Sadly, my trailcam has not revealed any great bucks since May, and a lot of the does are missing too.  I'm wondering if there's some poaching going on, which would obviously make this whole endeavor an exercise in futility.  Only time will tell:  Here's the pics of the blind in place, the views, and what I believe is just a yearling forkie ('cause he hangs out with this small doe at all times).  He's (probably) going to get a pass from me this year - (no promises  )

[millerwheeler]

Time  to set up a feeder looks great

[fishnfur]

No time, energy, or inclination for a feeder.  I've got one in the woods down here for elk that I last filled back in 2014.  Somebody's probably stolen it for all I know.  It was way too hard humping 50 lb bags of feed across a creek, up a hill and into the woods just to feed a bunch of squirrels. 

This blind is two hours from home - the distance makes it impossible to initiate a feeding program.  Apples get thrown around in front of a cam in spring and summer to see what deer are in the area, then I look for them during the season.   I did take your suggestion and attempt to plant Fireweed in the grassy areas down in the swale.  I didn't cold stratify them under wet conditions, just put 'em in the fridge for two months.  I don't think the planting was a much of a success. 

Muzzleloader season will be my first sit in the blind this year.  If I see some deer, I'll consider the blind a success.