Based on statistics there are over 11 million whitetail deer hunters in North America. Of these an estimated 9.47 million use some kind of deer blind such as best ground blind or elevated deer blind when hunting deer.
So, why are these hunting accessories so popular?
Well for starters, they allow bowhunters get as close as possible to their prey. Secondly, they keep you protected from the elements during a hunt.
Nevertheless, given that hunters spend an estimated $34 billion on hunting gear (such as – hunting crossbows, scopes, feeder etc.) annually, trying to reduce you hunting expenditure is always a good idea. While opting to hunt the old-fashioned way without a blind will bring down your hunting expenses, there is a better way. The better way is learning how to build a deer blind. A DIY deer blind project can cost you as little as $50, so why not try it.
How To Build A Deer Blind Cheap Or On A Tight Budget
As mentioned above, you can spend as little as $50 on the supplies you require before embarking on a do-it-yourself hunting blinds project. The things you will need include:
- Two pieces of 2 by 4 lumber;
- A piece of ¾ inch plywood,
- Elevator brackets for deer stands which will prevent side to side sway in windy situation also they are scientifically proved to carry vertical load.
- Wood glue and stain.
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The first step towards creating your own hunting blind is to cut the 2 by 4s into 12 of 3 feet each. These 12 pieces of cut wood will serve as the base, the gun rest and roof. After you have cut these pieces of wood, the next step is to start working on the base.
To construct a sturdy base, four pieces of the 3 feet wood pieces in a square. Once you have set them together nail them together. You can use screws as an alternative to nails. Whether you use nails or screws ensure the base is firm as it will offer stability for you blind.
The next step is to take a six-foot vertical 2 x 4 beam and position it at each corner of the base. The edges of the vertical beam should all be flush. Nail the beam firmly in place. Once this is done, it is time to install the gun or bow rest. Ideally, the gun rest should be about 3 ½ feet from the ground. Make the gun rest the same way you did the base.
Cut a square piece of plywood and nail it to the top of the vertical beams you installed earlier. This square plywood will act as your blind’s roof. The final step is to hang a camouflage netting over the blind. Ensure the netting covers the blind’s entire frame. However, leave some space in the gun rest and for your best deer blind heater to allow for easy placement of the gun or bow.
There are many cheap deer blind ideas you can work with. In fact, you are only limited by your creativity. Therefore, you can choose the size of deer blind you want. You can choose to build a 4 by 8 deer blind to accommodate you and your friend or a smaller one.
How To Build a Deer Blind Out Of Pallets
One of the most inexpensive alternatives to buying a hunting blind is making one out of pallets. The great thing about pallet blinds is that they do not require gun rests. Therefore, learning how to build a deer blind out of pallets takes very little time.
The material required to build a pallet blind includes four or three pallets, wood screws. For gun hunting, the slots that pallets offer to make for a great natural gun rest. Also, these slots give you a wide and unobstructed 360-degree angle view of your surroundings.
To make a hunting blind using pallets place four pallets in such a manner that the runners are horizontal. Then use the wood screws to screw them together. Personally, I recommend using three-inch wood screws for this task. For camouflage, you can stick leaves, wood, and other foliage into the blind. Sticking leaves and other debris inside the runners of the pallets will help conceal it.
For bow hunting, use three pallets instead of four. Bowhunting inside a blind comes with its own specific challenges. Using three pallets gives you room to pull back on your bow. The three-sided pallet needs more support though. As such, it is advisable to use a t-post and wire to secure the blind. Ideally, it is recommended that you use this type of blind during spring.
If you want to improve your pallet blind, you can do so by stapling roofing felt. An addition of camouflage burlap will also add a lot to the overall performance of your blind. Also, you can add a second stack of pallets to make a two-man blind. Needless to say, when you learn how to build a deer blind out of pallets you can be as creative as you want.
Also, important when you are building a pallet blind is to use a base made from treated wood pieces. This is to prevent the blind from rotting when placed on the ground. Furthermore, never use nails when building this kind of blind. The reason being that a pallet blind should be easy to disassemble when need be. As such, nails make it virtually impossible to disassemble without damaging the pallet. Screws, on the other hand, are easy to disassemble and offer a better alternative to using nails. To keep the whole project within a reasonable budget, opt for using leaves and other debris for camouflage instead of using camouflage netting.
Building A Natural Ground Blind
Ground blinds are safer than their tree stand counterparts. In fact, statistics indicate that of the 9.47 million hunters who use tree stand blinds, 3.5 million are likely to fall from their blinds. A ground blind can be built to blend into the surroundings of your preferred hunting ground. However, for this to happen, you must build the blind two to three days before using it in the wild. This is because any changes to the landscape of any forest will be noticed by the animals that inhabit it.
The best thing about learning how to build a natural ground blind is that all the materials you require are readily available. Also, you do not require a lot of materials. Personally, I have found that samplings and bushes make great building materials. In addition to these materials, I also use a brush blade, pair of loopers, a pair of pliers, and clothesline wire.
If you do not have a pair of loppers, you can use a machete or a hatchet. Also, instead of a wire, you can use jute twine or cotton cord. I recommend using jute twine as it blends better into the surrounding that wire.
Once you have all the necessary tools needed for this project, the next step is to cut the samplings. Use samplings that are clean and straight and have a thickness of between 1 inch and 2 inches. If you are a bowhunter, the blind should have a width of 60 inches and a length of 40 to 60 inches. When cutting the samplings, cut them to be two to four inches longer than you really need them to be. In total, you should cut six to seven samplings that are the length you want your blind to be eight to ten samplings that are as tall as you want the blind to be wide.
Start building the wall that will face the direction that you expect your prey to frequent most. This wall should be sturdy as it will support all other walls. Use two upright samplings and two horizontal ones to build a square. You can use wire or twine to secure the samplings together. The samplings should stick out each other for about an inch.
Once the first front wall is done, the next step is to build the back wall, i.e., the wall opposite the first you build. Build it the same way you did the first. Add a 20-inch upright sampling to the wall from one end. This will act as the support for the door of your blind.
The next step will be to cut down an additional four samplings to connect the two walls. The samplings should be horizontal. Use three to four samplings per side. The final touch is to add leafy material and shrubs to act as your blind’s natural camouflage. I recommend using cedar and pine because of their thick needles. These two also have a strong scent that will help mask your human scent when you are inside the blind.
Before using your blind, make sure there are no leaves protruding inside. Also, get rid of any dry leaves on the floor of your blind, as they might draw unwanted attention. Check whether you have sufficient room inside and whether you have a good view while inside the blind. After you have done all this, you can now enjoy using your homemade deer blind.
How To Build an Elevated Deer Blind
Due to the unique nature of elevated deer blinds, making one might be a little bit more complex than building a ground blind. Also, the safety precautions you need to take when building one adds to the complexity. However, with the right information, you can teach yourself how to build an elevated deer blind.
For starters, you need to select planks of wood that are devoid of flaws and that are straight. Cedarwood planks are the best due to the weather-resistant nature of cedarwood. Also, for it to be safe to get into it should be tall and be at least 7 feet from the ground. The height of the blind should be just under 6 feet.
To guarantee the highest standards of safety, the base of the blind should be constructed using a pre-fabricated platform. In fact, it is wise to make all the parts at home then re-assembling them in the site you want the blind to be erected.
An elevated deer blind might be complex to make, but when you master how to build a deer stand tower, you will have a sturdy blind to rely on. Elevated blinds are great as they give you a better view of your prey and your surrounding areas.
How To Build a Ground Blind For Deer Hunting
An inexpensive way of building a ground blind for deer hunting is to use PVC. The latter is a material that is readily available in our home. Therefore, when you want to learn how to build a ground blind for deer hunting, I recommend you start with a PVC blind.
A PVC ground blind can be as complex as you want it to be or as simple. To make one, you will need a PVC pipe. The pipe should be between 1 inch to 1.5-inch-thick depending on its length. You will also need screws and a camouflage cloth.
The first step to making a PVC ground blind for deer hunting is to identify three trees that are at least five feet apart that form a triangle. Next, cut your PVC pipe to match the distance between two of the trees.
Pre-drill screw holes onto your pipe before using them as this will make it easier to connect them to the trees. Next put the camouflage cloth. If you are good at sewing, you can sew a loop and attach the cloth like a curtain. Alternatively, you can simply drape the camouflage cloth over the pipe making sure it is long enough.
Once you are done, take the pipe with the cloth draped over it to your identified location. Use a screwdriver to connect the pipe to the trees. For added camouflage, you can use tree branches on the ends of the pipe.
Portable Homemade Ground Blinds For Bow Hunting
Sometimes a homemade portable ground blind will be a more effective option than a large one. To make homemade ground blinds for bow hunting, you will require several tools. The tools necessary for this task include four to eight poles, Bow saw, hammer, camouflage netting, and spray paint.
The poles to use can be wooden, PVC or piping. The first step is to cut your poles to your preferred length. It is important to note that if you choose to use piping make sure to spray paint the pipe with a camouflage color to avoid detection. One side of the poles should be sharpened to form a spike. This is the side that you will drive the poles to the ground.
Drive the poles into the ground to form either a square or rectangular shape. The number of poles you decide to install depends on you. The final step is to cover the poles with camouflage netting. You can cut holes into the netting to give you a better view.
Conclusion
The internet is full of the DIY portable hunting blind, which you can use to build your own ground blind. Some of the homemade ground blind plans available online are complex. However, there are a good number of simple homemade ground blind designs that you can start with. Overall, a homemade ground blind will save you money.
About The Author:
Lake Streeter, A Gun enthusiast, and loves to hunt in the middle of the wood. Always check the latest hunting gears out in the market and try to share his honest opinion with the audience in Tarheel3Gun.