DIY Elevated Blind w/ future plans

[The Back 40]

Like most of the individuals here I would love a full-blown elevated hunting box blind for those cold, windy, wet days. But I am also cheap and have a hard time justifying spending thousands of dollars on myself for a hunting luxury. What I do have is some spare lumber, an older pop-up blind that had a bunch of broken fiberglass rods and some ingenuity. I milled down some 2x6's that I used for form boards this summer on the new sidewalk into 2x2's and built a "frame" for the blind. I used some additional 2x6's to frame out the platform base which is 6' x 4'-9" (the blind is 4'9"). I still need to add some joist hangers, install the decking on the frame and order a set of elevator leg brackets. My plan is to anchor the blind frame to the platform and use it for next the next season or two. when time and lumber permit, I will remove the blind and frame out a true wooden blind with a metal roof, but for now I think this will work. I'm still undecided on how high I want to go with the blind, but I think 6'-8' would be more than high enough.

 

[2BuckBizCT]

Good luck. do you have a spot picked out? that's the hardest decision i assume

[G-man]

I would add a pvc  or black waterpipe over the top to make a peak as snow will  colapse the roof .  Brackets are about 45 bucks  from highwild right now ( just ordered a set)

[The Back 40]

8 minutes ago, 2BuckBizCT said:

Good luck. do you have a spot picked out? that's the hardest decision i assume

I do have a location picked out. That is what actually motivated me to get going on this. The area was logged a few years ago and there weren't many trees that offered enough support and good cover for a tree stand. Ther is a ton of sign that the deer are using the area to transition in-between thicker areas, but there is also a lot of brush so I needed to off the ground to see anything.    

[The Back 40]

7 minutes ago, G-man said:

I would add a pvc  or black waterpipe over the top to make a peak as snow will  colapse the roof .  Brackets are about 45 bucks  from highwild right now ( just ordered a set)

Snow is what actually destroyed the fiberglass rods two years ago. I plan on keeping a prop rod in there during the season to support the "roof" but remove the fabric part of the blind after the season is over. The blind has gromets on the bottom to secure it to the platform and it really wasn't too difficult to get it on and off the wooden frame.

[mowin]

Looks like a fun project. 

[Robhuntandfish]

My buddy and I were just discussing this yesterday.  We have a spot picked out for one of these one day.  Need to do a few more things first but prob do one of these in a couple of years.  Although with the fall and winters we have these days i think i turned on the heated vest maybe a time or two all season. 

looks like a great idea, post pics too when its up and open for business! 

Edited December 18, 2023 by Robhuntandfish

[Stubborn1vt]

Cool project! 

Somewhat related, I watched a YouTube video the other day on replacing broken fiberglass rods with fiberglass fence posts or driveway markers. 

Another option I used was to make a blind with a 2x6 base, a couple hog/cattle panels and a couple camo tarps.  Light, inexpensive and very durable.  The cheap tarp I put on it lasted 3 years or so.  I bought replacement tarps for less than $30.  Not insulated, but zero worries about it collapsing under snow load.  

Good luck with your project.  I like the idea of repurposing and making do.  

[grampy]

2 hours ago, Stubborn1vt said:

Cool project! 

Somewhat related, I watched a YouTube video the other day on replacing broken fiberglass rods with fiberglass fence posts or driveway markers. 

Another option I used was to make a blind with a 2x6 base, a couple hog/cattle panels and a couple camo tarps.  Light, inexpensive and very durable.  The cheap tarp I put on it lasted 3 years or so.  I bought replacement tarps for less than $30.  Not insulated, but zero worries about it collapsing under snow load.  

Good luck with your project.  I like the idea of repurposing and making do.  

Pictures Please!!!

[Stubborn1vt]

Just now, grampy said:

Pictures Please!!!

I got my plan from a video by turkey hunting legend, Cuz Strickland.  If you search "Cuz Strikland DIY Blind" you can check it out on the YouTube.  

My blind is in the middle of flood plain right now.  This is the only pic I have at the moment.  Shot my heaviest buck out of it.

[Bolt Action]

I like this project and have the idea to do the same thing this spring with a couple blinds I have laying around. What's the blind you're using?

[The Back 40]

1 hour ago, Bolt Action said:

I like this project and have the idea to do the same thing this spring with a couple blinds I have laying around. What's the blind you're using?

It's an old Gander Mtn. blind I purchased at least 14 years ago when I lived in the southern tier. It didn't get a ton of use because I moved back north and only had access to public land for 6 years. Once I purchased the property I'm at now I started using it again when I took my son out with me. It's a little beat up but it will work for now.

[phade]

Neat project. Having more blind locations is something we want to work on. 

We found a large farm trailer and used that this year to set a hub blind on. It’s worked very well for us. It’s movable as needed.

[Bolt Action]

I'm on private land, but there's always a concern that my access could change. Because of that, I'm hesitant to spend much on blinds and permanent fixtures. That and I'm cheap. So having a few blinds like this makes sense for me. I actually really like your idea for framing it out. It would probably be fairly easy to add a rigid roof to manage the snow load.

Edited December 19, 2023 by Bolt Action

[The Back 40]

59 minutes ago, Bolt Action said:

I'm on private land, but there's always a concern that my access could change. Because of that, I'm hesitant to spend much on blinds and permanent fixtures. That and I'm cheap. So having a few blinds like this makes sense for me. I actually really like your idea for framing it out. I would probably be fairly easy to add a rigid roof to manage the snow load.

I am very stingy when it comes to spending money on myself and I hate wasting things. When I eventually convert this over to a wooden blind, I will be framing it with 2x3's and using 3/8 plywood for the sheathing unless I can get some other material from my work. Lowe's screwed up the last time I ordered metal roofing and delivered 5 extra sheets so that is taken care of.

My secondary motivation here is to help get my FIL back out. He had his 2nd knee replacement this year and was in PT all hunting season. I know he wants to get back out but I also know that the cold and wind get to him a little bit more with his surgeries. Eventually having a blind with a buddy heater would make it much more comfortable for him. I'll deal with the cold on those days.