New blind build

Yoby · Nov 2, 2017

Well with my wife having a ND rifle tag and sensitive to the cold, I thought I would build her a "portable" blind. It started out as a 2000 gallon spray tank. It was roughly 12ft long and a 6ft diameter with a flat edge. My 6yr old had fun helping with it too.
Cut it in half, cut the baffling out, pressure washed it and let it dry. Then applied a based coat my wife picked out. Mounted it to a 6ft 2x6 pallet. Marked and cut out the window and door, added a door handLe and the 2 youngest wanted to spray paint it. I did a little helping. Added the 2x4 for the plexiglass on top and bottom, finished it off with carpet on the inside.

Walleye_Chaser · Nov 2, 2017

Looks great!

pointer · Nov 2, 2017

Interesting build

wby257 · Nov 2, 2017

Your Deer only come from one direction??

martinslanding · Nov 2, 2017

I suppose it depends on the application…if this is sitting at the end of a shelter belt over-looking field, watering hole or ravine should work great, however it does not look very portable. What’s the approx. weight on it? Could a guy but a wheel kit on it and pull with ATV?

KDM · Nov 2, 2017

Looks good to me. I think it will kill a deer. Keep in mind the plexi is the weakest link in your chain, BY FAR. Is the window a slide or hinge? If slide, EXPECT the plexi or the wood or both to warp and bind up the workings of the plexi. Easiest management for this is to have shorter pieces on each end that will move instead of the whole thing, but even that won't "cure" the problem at the moment of truth. If hinge, I hope the hinge is on the top. If on the bottom, EXPECT ice to form in the hinge and cause problems. Moisture from the heater, yourselves, and humidity will create drops that will flow down the plexi and freeze overnight. It's a pain. Expect the plexi to fog and frost up so plan accordingly. Even your breath will bugger it up on certain days. Scrapers for frost and ice WILL scratch the plexi regardless of what they are made of which gives me a headache trying to look through or beyond. The usefulness of Binos through a window like that are also diminished. A heavy curtain that you keep on the both the inside and outside of the plexi when you aren't in the blind will help IMMENSELY if that's possible. One suggestion is to put small windows on each side so you can see deer coming instead of being "Surprised" by the deer at 15 yards from the side. Depending on location, a small shooting window in the back might be useful. Again, depending on location. If you plan on using a heater, bear in mind the "Glow" from the burner. It DOES show up quite well when reflected off ones face in the wee hours of the morning or evening. Good Luck and post pics when she gets her deer.

Yoby · Nov 2, 2017

The plexi is 2 pieces that over lap about 2 inches and slide from side to side. The original thought was to put 2 more side window on, but given time frame and the ability to modify later, those got left out. The portable portion is more so for pallet forks. My guess right now with pallet, the weight is about 300 lbs. I will be adjusting things on the second one a bit, but one of these will be put up on a 6ft tall stand eventually. Where I am putting this one this year, the deer will be about 150-200 yrds out in 1 direction.

Luckly we were able to get out to the rifle range and she is shooting pretty decent at 200 yrds. (3 inch grouping) pleasE keep the comments coming, I'll be building a second one next summer.

DirtyMike · Nov 2, 2017

I don't see any cup holders.

On a serious note, a small shelf will make things more enjoyable.

ejolliffe · Nov 2, 2017

{You're deer only come in from one direction}

thats funny right there

ndbwhunter · Nov 2, 2017

Looks good. You should spray foam the inside. Helps with heat and noise.

Yoby · Nov 2, 2017

I thought about spray foam, but didn't have time before trying to get it wrapped up enough for MN gun season this weekend. I have a little stool for a bench for now, it is on the add list. Wife wants me to add a cot so she can take a nap.

This is "portable". Each place I'll be taking it has a skidsteer with forks. Skuttle it over to the ravine edge or tree row. This weekend it won't even leave the trailer. Going to hunt right of the trailer (unless I can convince my uncle to try and take his skid through some wet ground.)

Callem'In · Nov 2, 2017

I like it! and tell her good luck.

PrairieGhost · Nov 2, 2017

A neighbor has an almost identical set up. He has it attached to an inexpensive Menards trailer. Attached with two hinged legs and a small boat hand winch lifts it up six feet where he attaches the other two legs. He has a 1 7/8 ball welded to an earth anchor. Screw in the earth anchor, attach the trailer to it, and pop up the short ladder and it's ready.

Fly Carpin · Nov 2, 2017

My favorite aspect of this blind? Tipping over or buckling in the wind is no longer a concern

eyexer · Nov 2, 2017

hang a feeder right below the window and you'll have er dicked

Yoby · Nov 3, 2017

Fly Carpin said:
My favorite aspect of this blind? Tipping over or buckling in the wind is no longer a concern

I have had the other half sitting up on its end with 40mph winds and it hasn't fallen over. I was actually a bit surprised.

Yoby · Nov 12, 2017

Thought I would give a quick report. The blind never left the trailer above for the last 2 weekends. Nothing was shot from it in MN last weekend, but this last one was a different story. Got up mid day Friday and got it into place. Wife showed up at about 11 Fri night. Got up late and were late to the blind. We were crawling in at 7:10. By 7:34 I text her dad to say buck down.

Hooked up to it and hauled it to the next coulie and the father in law shot his buck.

bucksnbears · Nov 13, 2017

Looks good V.

New blind build

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