Howdy, need a new ground blind and looking at the ameristep bone collector or brickhouse blinds.
They both look solid and will fill my needs, reviews on them seemed ok but wanted to hear from you guys if u have anything to say about them.
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Howdy, need a new ground blind and looking at the ameristep bone collector or brickhouse blinds.
They both look solid and will fill my needs, reviews on them seemed ok but wanted to hear from you guys if u have anything to say about them.
I am currently using the Bone Collector, Doghouse and the Backstrap ground blinds all Ameristep. Nothing but good things to say about them. The Bone Collector is in quite bad shape right now as it was left out all last winter and collapsed under the snow and ice load. Broke a few poles and a few tears in the fabric but it's still standing. It will be used this season. The doghouse has been set up for 3 years now and is still in very good shape. One of the Backstrap blinds has been up for 7 months now and is as solid as the day it was put up. Bone Collector has the most room inside but my son shot a buck from inside the Doghouse with an ExcalibrAxiom. There was the two of us in the blind at the time.
My opinion is money well spent. A little shelter from the elements will extend your season for sure. Good luck with your choice.
outback
Thanks outback. Was leaning more towards the bone collector. It'll be used for shotgun season. And spring turkey. How is the room for using a compound bow?
My experience with Ameristep blinds are similar to Outback's. The hub-style blinds are nice and roomy, you should be fine with a compound.
If you expect any snow, cut a pole and wedge it from the ground to the roof hub if you're going to leave it set up in the bush. It makes for a noisy job to set it back up in the morning if you arrive to find that it has collapsed under the weight of the snow.
The other issue I had was finding the right seat for the window height. I found the ones on mine were a little too high, but it looks like they've changed the design a bit since I bought mine. Just practice shooting from it before you set it up in the field.
You've reminded me to get out an buy another one myself before the late season. Mine finally died in a windstorm last fall.
Not sure about shooting compound from the Bone Collector. The piece of wood to hold it up in the winter weather is very helpful. I was always going to bring one next time but next time was to late. After a real heavy wet snow the weight was to much. The only thing that saved it was the chair inside kept it from hitting the ground. As said previously I will still be using it this season. Crappy Tire just had them on sale that ended yesterday. $199.99 after $50.00 off.
outback
I've had a doghouse blind for a few years now and really like it, for the money they keep you dry and conceal your movement. you wont be disappointed.
Not to hijack the thread here, but late spring one of the poles snapped - Do you guys order a replacement pole or is there something at home depot that will do the trick to replace the part?
I have the dog house too- had it since last fall and like it. One of the poles (for the roof) cracked in mine too. I've got it taped so it can't break but would like a replacement too, if you can find one. I leave mine out for weeks in the spring & fall - it doesn't weather well. If I got another, I'd set it up and take it down every use.Quote:
Originally Posted by kokes
Have you tried contacting Ameristep for replacement poles????
I did, but by the time I pay 30 bucks for a spare part and another 10 for shipping I'm better off buying a new blind on sale at cabelas for 100 bucks in my mind.. I might go to a hardware store this weekend and look for a fix this weekend - Im in the same boat as Werner and had one from my roof poles snap but I cant tape it together so will look for a dowel or something to replace it with...
Yes - I think it was going to cost about $45 for a repair to a $100 (on sale at the old co-op) blind.Quote:
Originally Posted by kokes
The blind lists on amazon.ca for 89.99 - I can find the poles on an American site for $16 US, but can't calculate shipping costs from that site.
i just had a bit of a nightmare for my first blind but CT customer service was bang on amazing.
wife bought me the razorblade or whatever the intermediate model is called. first one had a pull string and the arm snapped from the plastic immediately. i figured it was a defect and brought it back. same thing happened.
explained the situation to the manager at CT and he gave me the brickhouse. different mechanism and it's solid. used it yesterday and i'm more than impressed. for 129 on sale you can't go wrong.
I had the brickhouse...left it up over the summer last year after turkey hunt...set up in the fall in another spot and it ripped apart...think the sun did it in...I found I did not have enough room to draw keeping arrow tip in side the blind my elbow would be brushing up against the back of blind....and the window height a liitle high for shooting from a sitting position with the compound....overall it was a good blind worked well for a few years...
Why don't you guys go to Lebaron or Sail and buy tent replacement poles. They come in short length that you can attach together to fit your needs. Plus they are probably more rigid.
Good Idea.Quote:
Originally Posted by CaseyMcIntyre
I have the same issue with mine and have just been cutting a green flexible sapling and using that each time I set it up.
My buddy has the bone collector great blind. Only problem I see is the shhot through mesh has small windows hemmed in thick fabric, it would be had to ensure a shot through this little hole with a bow ro Xbow and there is a high probability of hitting the hemmed material and trowing your arrow off (I would cut it off or not use the mesh.
I have a dog house, bought the full size shoot thru screens and found the plastic on the inside for scent control fogged up almost instantly so I trimmed it off. Works great now, nice to have the full windows only other problem was the duty cost more than the 4 screens! I also use the port holes on the sides I don't expect to shoot from to minimize getting backlit.
I have used a Doghouse for years and have yet to use the top poles. Just one more thing to lug around.
The Doghouse blind in the background of this pic is ten years old. I broke one of the top poles years ago but found a suitable replacement at Canadian Tire in their camping section. My daughter shot her spring bird from it this past season
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y19...ps3f877756.jpg
Hub style Ameristep blinds in the back grounds - great product at a great price. They're great for hunting in wet weather and great for youngsters when they're starting out - you can get away with a good deal of movement
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y19...psedf00020.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y19.../IMG_0328e.jpg
Mrs. STUBBLE like to read in it too.......lol
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y19.../IMG_0338e.jpg
i'm going out on thursday to sit on a new property. excited to bring a good book along with the xbow and high hopes of arrowing my first deer!
I love my bone collector blind, they are solid, lots of room, I bow hunt out of mine. Lots of openings to shoot/look out of, and light to carry. I left mine set up last winter, had to visit it to make sure didn't cave in, but with a decent set of pegs and taking the time to set it up it can stay for months..