Blind for Crossbow

[bhanley]

Does anyone have any recommendations regarding ground blinds when hunting with a crossbow? I sat in one last season that had an integrated seat but it was awkward as hell, especially when "nature called". I also found it very tight inside, what with the width and depth of the blind.

[outback]

I have used the Ameristep Doghouse and the Bone Collector very successfully in past years. I have shot bears, deer and turkey from them. Set them up at home before the hunt then get your desired seat, bow, gear and do a few trial sits. You will come to see your limitations and distances for the limbs, your arrow and screens, among other useful tips for your setup.

outback

[Species8472]

What Outback said. The type of crossbow you are using makes a big difference. The non-matrix excals are really wide and can be tricky.

[pbonura]

What Outback said. The type of crossbow you are using makes a big difference. The non-matrix excals are really wide and can be tricky.

Compound crossbow works for me but with my excalibur I need a hub blind. So hub would be ideal.

[Fishinchris]

I have 2 ameristep bone collector blinds very happy with them lots of room to use a crossbow even with 2 people in there I can even stand up and stretch out in it to

[outback]

I shoot an Excaliber Equinox and my son shoots the Axiom from these blinds. The Bone collector has a hole in the center of the shoot through mesh. When I look through the scope I will open my other eye to be sure the arrow will clear the hemmed seam around the hole. Takes a few times trying to get your sight lines figured out but pays off in the end. I don't like to shoot through the mesh, haven't yet but don't trust it.

outback

[Lum 24]

I use BigDog blind with my Exomax.Never had a problem shooting, and A1 customer service.

[GW11]

As mentioned above, the Ameristep hub-style blinds have ample space for a crossbow. I've used an Exocet in mine with no problems. My only complaints would be that some of the windows (on the model I had) were a little high but you could remedy that with whatever seat you decide to use. I prefer a lower seat so that I can rest my elbow on my knee to shoot. The corner windows were lower and I would just set the blind up with one corner facing the main trail.

The other problem was that snow load would collapse the roof hub and make for a very, very noisy job when you arrive in the morning darkness. I fixed that by cutting a pole to the right length and propping it under the center hub when I wasn't using the blind. Of course, that's not a problem if you pack it in and out with you each time.

I used the past tense when referring to the blind because it got completely destroyed in a wind storm just before last year's gun opener for deer. I guess I'm in the market for a new one as well.

[outback]

I hear ya GW11. My Bone Collector is in pretty bad shape as I had left it out all winter and it collapsed. I cleared it off a few times and popped it back up however the last few wet snows shattered a coupla the poles. I was out a few days ago and busted up the huge chunk of ice that formed on the top then poped it up. I took a bungie cord trough the top pullout handle and wrapped it around the overhanging branches. Looks like she's ready for another possible turkey spot. Gotta see if I can pick up some of the fibreglass hub poles to replace a few broken ones. My Ameristep Doghouse has been setup on the same property for 2 full years and has never collapsed under the snow load. This winter the snow was up almost over the window.

outback

[rackman]

a medium style hub blind should be the ticket