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The best hunting blinds can make hunting a significantly more comfortable and potentially even more successful undertaking.
Hunting is not exactly the most action-packed of outdoor activities. While yes, those moments when you are hot on the trail of your prey can get your adrenaline pumping unlike nothing else you’ve experienced before, they are very few and far in between.
Much as many hunters may not want to admit it, hunting is as much about testing your patience as it is about testing your skill. For all those reasons, acquiring a good hunting blind is a must for any outdoorsman.
With a hunting blind in your possession, you will be able to stay longer outdoors without feeling the ill effects of the cold air or the sweltering heat. You will also have the opportunity to line up your shot better knowing that you are carefully hidden from your prey.
Hunting blinds can be valuable allies outdoors and to find out which one you should get, please check out the products and considerations listed below.
Our Review Of The Top 5 Hunting Blinds
Ameristep Care Taker Ground Blind
A hunting blind should do more than provide comfortable quarters for you and your fellow hunters to stay in as you wait out your prey. It should also capably keep you hidden from view to ensure that you will be given a fair chance to land clean shots on your targets.
Keeping you hidden is what this Ameristep hunting blind does best.
This hunting blind features the kind of camouflage coating that blends easily into any forest-y fall environment. It’s also on the smaller side and that works to its advantage in certain ways. To be more specific, the smaller profile of this hunting blind allows it to be obscured easily.
In addition to those qualities, this hunting blind also works to keep occupants hidden with the help of the Shadow Guard feature. Shadow Guard is a type of coating that can be applied to the interior of the hunting blind. Once applied, the coating can prevent shadows and silhouettes from showing up.
To put it simply, you can hide better thanks to the Shadow Guard feature.
The shoot-through mesh that comes with gun ports also makes it possible for you to fire off shots while remaining hidden within the confines of this temporary shelter.
Be careful when you are opening the windows of this hunting blind. The Velcro strips used to secure them can get very loud.
The many holes spread throughout the body of this hunting blind can also allow water to get in when it’s raining heavily.
- Features Shadow Guard coating
- Camouflage coating blends well into the surroundings
- Small enough to hide easily
- Offers hunters a shoot-through mesh
- Velcro strips included can be loud
- Holes found throughout the blind allow water to get in
Barronett Blinds Big Cat Pop Up Portable Hunting Blind
Do you and your buddies prefer to hunt in large groups? Things can get really dull when you’re out hunting by yourself, which is why it’s a good move to go with your friends whenever possible.
If you want a hunting blind that can comfortably accommodate you and your buddies, this Barronett creation may be exactly what you’re looking for. This hunting blind stands 80 inches tall and measures 90 inches wide from hub to hub. With dimensions like that, a small group should be able to comfortably fit inside this temporary hunting shelter.
Even if it’s just you using this hunting blind, you will be able to appreciate the extra space you are given to move around. You can go ahead and stand up to shoot from inside this hunting blind if you want to.
Zipper-less windows integrated into the design of the blind make it easier for users to line up their shots without being detected by animals nearby.
Surprisingly, the size of this hunting blind does not make it a nightmare to bring for a trip. It only weighs around 19 pounds and it can be packed very easily.
The design of this hunting blind is not without flaws however. Look closer and you will find small holes scattered throughout the blind. The holes allow some water to get in during heavy rainstorms and they also make the blind less durable as a whole.
- Big hunting blind that can accommodate a small group of hunters
- Provides enough room for shooting while standing
- Surprisingly lightweight
- Small holes in the fabric negatively impact the blind’s durability
Ameristep Element Hunting Blind
Hunting blinds will often serve as your first layer of defense against the elements. As such, you need one that can capably withstand the harsh conditions of the outdoors. That’s precisely what this Ameristep hunting blind specializes in.
The folks at Ameristep opted to use materials such as polyester and carbon-enhanced fabrics while putting together this hunting blind. The result is a product that features exceptional durability. On top of that, this hunting blind remains comfortable to stay in even when the temperature rises or drops significantly.
The inside of this blind has also been coated with Shadow Guard so that occupants can remain hidden even when the sun is shining brightly. The coatings applied to this hunting blind also work to reduce your scent and the noise you produce. It’s the kind of hunting blind you can feel comfortable using even in very tranquil environments.
Conveniently located mesh windows and gun ports provide occupants with easily accessible points to shoot through. You don’t have to look all over the hunting blind just to find a suitable shooting spot.
This is not the kind of hunting blind you will want to move often. It’s tricky to both assemble and take down. You’ll be better off finding a good spot and letting it stay there for as long as possible.
- Made from durable polyester and carbon-enhanced fabrics
- Interior coated with Shadow Guard
- Mesh windows and gun ports are located well
- Difficult to take apart and assemble
Ameristep Deluxe Two Person Tent Chair Hunting Blind
Traveling with a big hunting blind is not something that every outdoorsman is up for. Many would prefer to reserve more room for their hunting equipment and only save a little space for the blind. The good news is that there are still options available even if you want a more compact hunting blind.
This blind from Ameristep is a fine example of a hunting shelter that can be described as compact while still remaining usable for as much as two people. The two-person foldout chair used inside this blind is nice and comfortable. It even comes with cup holders if you and your hunting buddy are settling in for a long day.
Staying inside this hunting blind for an extended period of time is not something you have to worry about. The cotton and polyester fabrics used in this hunting blind make it extra comfy in all kinds of weather conditions.
You can also pull down on the roof of this blind once it starts to rain to keep both you and your hunting companion dry. The Shadow Guard coating applied to this hunting blind will work to hide you and your buddy from your targets better.
It is important to note that the inside of this hunting blind is still a bit on the small side. Two larger hunters may struggle to fit inside of it. A father and son hunting duo will have an easier time fitting inside this two-person hunting blind.
- Compact hunting blind
- Comes with a two-person foldout chair
- Blind is made from cotton and polyester
- May struggle to accommodate two larger hunters
GhostBlind 6-Panel Runner Hunting Blind
For the ultimate in natural camouflage, it’s hard to do better than this hunting blind from GhostBlind. The secret of this hunting blind is that it doesn’t rely on normal camouflage to disguise you. Instead, it uses mirrors to obscure your position.
This hunting blind features mirrors up front and they are designed to reflect the ground immediately in front of you. They are tilted forward so that they can better reflect your surroundings.
Durability is obviously a concern whenever mirrors are involved. This hunting blind gets around that issue by making use of plastic panels. Granted, plastic is not the most durable material, but it won’t shatter if you drop it.
Once you’re done using this hunting blind, it can fold up nicely into the size of two panels. The Pack-N-Rest bag that you can purchase as an optional accessory will allow you to carry this hunting blind easily, although it’s not an essential acquisition.
To clean the panels, you can spray them with a hose and wipe them clean using a soft cloth.
The clever design of this hunting blind enables you to hide more effectively, but that’s assuming that you’re not too big for it. The blind only stands at 26 inches. You may have to position your body in certain ways to avoid sticking out of this hunting blind.
You do have the option of getting the height extenders so that you have more room to work with, but they cost extra.
- Uses mirrors to hide you
- Can be packed easily
- Easy to clean
- Not tall enough for many hunters
The Hunting Blind Buying Guide
While looking for the hunting blind that you will use for your next trip outdoors, don’t forget to keep the factors listed below in mind. They will help you find the exact hunting blind that will suit you best.
Protection
The main job of the hunting blind is to basically provide you with a form of temporary shelter while you are out hunting. If it can help keep you hidden from your possible targets and improve shooting conditions, then that would be great. The priority though is finding something that will make it possible for you to remain comfortable as you endure the long wait that usually comes with hunting.
The best kinds of hunting blinds are the ones that will be able to adequately protect you no matter how long you’ve been using it.
With that in mind, you should search for hunting blinds that are not littered with small holes. Those small holes prevent the hunting blind from providing the maximum level of protection against the elements. As soon as it starts raining hard or the wind picks up, you may become uncomfortable inside the hunting blind.
There are waterproof hunting blinds on the market and it’s worth considering them if you know that showers are prevalent in your neck of the woods.
At the same time, you want to avoid purchasing a hunting blind that keeps you holed up too tightly. You don’t want to be sweating profusely as you’re trying to line up your shot.
Polyester is a good material choice if you’re looking for a hunting blind material that can stand up well to the elements. Polyester blends also work as they can provide adequate protection while remaining comfortable.
Windows and Gun Ports
The windows and gun ports are important features of hunting blinds.
Starting with the gun ports, you want to see these on the hunting blind because they make shooting so much more convenient. Instead of having to feel around for a good spot to put your gun through or creating a slot yourself, you can just use what the manufacturers created.
As long as the gun ports are smartly positioned, they should be able to help you out a lot while you’re hunting.
The windows of the hunting blind are designed to let air into that confined space and simultaneously give you easy access points for scouting targets. The windows typically make use of either Velcro, zippers, or they are just left constantly open.
The constantly-open windows are fine if insects and rain are not common issues in your area. Windows that feature either Velcro or zippers are better for keeping the inside of the hunting blind, but they can be noisy.
Camouflage
Hunting blinds should be easily disguisable in the wild. If not, then it will be next to impossible for you to remain undetected by your targets.
Thankfully, most hunting blinds already have camouflage coatings that will enable them to blend in better with the trees and the natural backdrop.
Some manufacturers have even used mirrors to camouflage hunting blinds.
Regardless of which disguising features are used, be sure that the hunting blind can be properly hidden because you don’t want to scare the animals away before you can even start aiming.
The FAQs When Buying Hunting Blind
How big should the hunting blind be?
When shopping for a new hunting blind, you should remember to ask yourself just how big of a hunting blind you actually need. There are all kinds of options available when it comes to size.
First off, there are the smaller hunting blinds that are only designed to accommodate one person. The smaller blinds are meant to provide better camouflage for whoever’s using them. Plus, since they are often easy to set up and take down, you can place them just about anywhere.
You can even continue carrying a smaller hunting blind around with you until you finally find a good spot to set up shop and wait for a target. This is the type of hunting blind you will want if you prefer going alone during your trips.
Fitting into these smaller hunting blinds can be a challenge though. They may not even provide enough coverage to hide your upper body. The smaller hunting blinds are also unable to provide protection when it starts to rain.
Examples of the smallest hunting blinds include the portable ground blinds and throw-down blinds.
For the folks who prefer to hunt together with their kids or their close friends, it’s worth taking the time to consider a chair blind. There are variants of chair hunting blinds that are big enough to hold two people.
They are capable of offering more protection while still remaining very portable and comfortable.
If you want to hunt together with a group of friends, then the aforementioned hunting blinds won’t do. What you want to seek out are the larger frame or pop-up blinds. Some of these larger hunting blinds are even spacious enough to fit somewhere around 5 to 6 people.
Another advantage to getting a bigger hunting blind is that you can stand while shooting from inside of them if that’s what you prefer.
The downside to the larger hunting blinds is that they are harder to pack and carry. You may also have a tougher time finding good spots for them in the wilderness.
What’s the difference between frame blinds and pop-up blinds?
The types of hunting blinds that are available currently include ground blinds, throw-down blinds, and chair blinds. These are the smaller hunting blinds that are usually only designed to house up to two people at most.
If you’re on the market for a larger hunting blind, then you will likely have to make a choice between getting either a frame blind or a pop-up blind.
Frame blinds are the heavy-duty options. They are usually very sturdy and they can stand up well to strong winds and rains. For those who are planning to spend long weekend hunting together with friends, going with a frame blind is a wise move.
Even though they tend to be quite big, most frame blinds are easy to set up. More often than not, the only challenge you’ll have to deal with when using a frame blind is lugging them around because they are usually pretty heavy.
Pop-up or spring steel blinds are best known for how easy they are to work with. More often than not, a pop-up blind should be ready to go within mere minutes of you opening it.
What’s so great about pop-up blinds is that they make moving around easier even if you’re in a group. Thanks to how quickly they can be established, you can feel free to move as much as you want until you find the best hunting spot.
Pop-up blinds don’t handle poor weather conditions as well as the frame blinds, but they are still worthy options to consider because of the level of convenience they offer.
