Ground Blind

[SalmonSlayer]

Anyone know anything about the ground blind that Menards has in it's weekly ad?

Stalker Blind: * Heavy-duty polyester, water resistant material with scent containment Black coating * Accommodates 1-2 people * Three large 40" x 14" zippered windows * Four 15.5" x 15" zippered shooting windows with replaceable split shoot-through screens * Carrying case with backpack straps

It's only $24.99 after mail in rebate. I'm thinking of giving it a shot for that price unless someone can tell me it's not even worth $25...

[Tom7227]

Isn't the issue how well it holds up if there is wind or rain? Do you want to risk your turkey hunt? Seems incredibly cheap, which usually means questionable quality in my experience.

[nelsonnw5530]

The blind looks like is the spring steel hoops that open up, not the hubs. My experience is it is fine to open but a night mare to try to fold up. There are some hub styles that is under $100.00 and you will be much happier in the long run.

[paceman]

heck for only 25 bucks buy two:) A guy can never have to many blinds, portables....

[coonchaser]

there not bad blinds but them hoops are nightmares whew

[Random guy]

For $25 who cares, I may buy some for bear sites as bear love to eat blinds. Make a great blind to brush in and leave sit without a huge investment risk.

[nofishfisherman]

I've used a few of the cheaper blinds and for the money they aren't bad. I assume this is the kind that kind of springs open when you unpack it. They do set up easy and it takes some practice to pack it back up. But personally I'll take quick set up over quick take down. If you're on private land I'd probably get a couple and get them set up in good spots and conceal them with brush and just leave them sit. I'd have a harder time doing that with a more expensive blind.

For the price I'm sure you won't be disappointed. Number one thing a blind needs to do is conceal you, I'm sure this will do that just fine.

[harvey lee]

If they are the spring steel type, I would forget those as they lose thier spring and what a nightmare to set up and take down. Personally I would not use them for free, they are about worthless from the ones I have seen or used.

I would go with a hub style blind as they do seem to be the best on the market. I have tried a few of the off brands and had alot of trouble with all but one. I had one from Cabelas and one pole to the hub feel out of the hub the first time I set it up. Never did work correctly and it went back for a cash return.

I did purchase a hub style late last fall from Sportsman Guide and it was only $90 shipped to my house. Seems this blind is as good as my 2 Double Bull blinds and I would buy more from the Guide is they came on sale again.

I agree with the above poster that you would be much happier with a hub style. At $25, how much quality can be in it?

I honestly believe you would be alot happier with a good hub style blind. Take a look at the Menard's blind and check it over and I am sure you will be able to see that there cannot be much for quality at all for that price.

Not saying you need to drop $250-$300 plus for a Double Bull but there are some hub stlye blinds for sale for $100 or a bit less that you could get years of hunting out of.

I guide every fall for an archery group and in the past 9 years, not one of the hunters or guides have used or purchased the coil spring style. Most have used them in the past and not one of them would do that again.

[Rippinlip]

Had a hoop style for a couple of years that had limited use.

Did it work? Yes

Little low on the shooting windows for height, not bad on take down with a little practice, but I also had a hub style I picked up for under a $100 and that definately became a favorite.

I ended up selling my hoop style.

[deerminator]

I would agree with Harvey. Double Bulls are awesome, but I've never owned one, just hunted with buddies out of them. My favorite blind has been the Primos GroundMax Escape Deluxe or whatever you call it. One of the larger hub style blinds out there. They claim you can shoot your bow standing in it and I have done so (awkwardly). Plus it has tons of loops to attach brush to. This is a huge plus for me as I leave mine out on private land all season. You can get one for anywhere from $99 to about $150 on sale the last time I checked. It just depends on the time of year.

I've tried the steel spring blinds like the ones in the Menard's ad and they are a pain in the bleep to set up and take down. They're also cheaply made. The springs stay decent but the material tears easy and the zippers last one or two seasons max. If you're willing to replace them every season or two and deal with the little headaches, they are OK I guess. I shot plenty of deer out of them with my bow my first two seasons. That's another thing, they're harder than heck to draw a bow in by yourself much less with another person tagging along. If you're bow hunting. And you'll inevitably knock your back elbow against the back wall when drawing. Not good.

Whatever you get, if you do leave it out, get some good stakes, better than the ones that come with whatever blind, and stake that thing down good. Then run a small robe or cord from a point on the blind to a nearby tree or brush. I lost my first blind last year after a weekend of high winds and have nearly lost them several other times before I finally learned my lesson there. Good luck!

[harvey lee]

Great points.

I have cords on all 4 corners of my Double Bull and my other hub style and all corners get tied down.

I also try to brush them in as soon as I put them up. if I am not going to hunt out of it for a few weeks, I do not get too concerned about the brush. If I want to hunt it the same night I put it up, without a doubt I spray it down with scent free and brush it in very well.

I have stakes almost like tent stakes for the 4 corners and use the others inbetween the corner and she stasys in places very well. many times where we hunt on private property, I have a couple set up all fall.

[arrow]

You get what you pay for and this more likely will be a one season deal. Spend an extra $75.00 and get a decent blind. Menards is famous for selling junk. Like the manager at the Apple Valley store once told me " if I want to sell rotten oranges I will" That was after selling me decking that was not approved for exterior use and the inspector red tagged the job.

[harvey lee]

If a person is looking for a blind to last part of or maybe a whole season, this may fit in fine but as stated above, do not hope for it to be a useful blind for years to come.

[Hoyt4]

Pay the money for Double bull blind. Get a couple over the years and you will never need another.