Which blind to buy??

[Wallydog]

Then came the turkey silo....

Some have heard, few have seen. Does not set up in 10 seconds, but without a doubt is the finest blind I've hunted out of, period.

[Hoyt4]

We have used the turkey silo in NE,still a little bulky but great for a traditional archer.As for shooting through the mesh on the blinds with mechanicals it took me hundred of shots to get my confidence that they will work.I have not had any issues with mechanicals through the mesh.Once you start getting out to 30 yards it does start to change for my setup anyways.You just need to shoot and see what works best for you.I use Rocket hammer heads and sidewinders have not had any turn or flair going through.On my T-2 I have replaced that window two times just cause I had to make sure.I do double binder my mechanicals probably do not have to but I do it so just cause I do not want to make a second guess.Fixed blades work great also but go out and practice and prove to your self the that mechanicals will work.Rage heads I do not think will work through the mesh but they are still a good broad for a turkey.

[Wallydog]

Hoyt,

Have you hunted out of the silo manufactured by Mr Braungardt?

WD

[Hoyt4]

I was not the hunter but a caller for friend using the silo.Was great for him cause he had a long bow.I do not think that would work in my DB .But stood tall enough for him to shoot out of.

[sticknstring]

Also remember the DB's are available in Recurve models which are 6-8" taller I believe. Or at least they were before the Primos buyout. I'm 6'3" and can stand up no problem. If anyone's interested in one... send me an email. It's in my profile.

[Tippman]

 Originally Posted By: jnelson

Beyond that, advantage goes to DB hands-down. Silent windows, no sheen, darker black interior to match your clothes and permit movement, no flap in wind, less than 10-second setup, silent setup, the list goes on and on. As Hoyt said, if it takes more than 10 seconds to setup, something's wrong.

I too have hunted out of the Doghouse blinds, primarily with friends and gun-hunting. In direct light, you can see a hunter make even minor movements, you accidentally bump the fabric and the whole thing quivers like a jellyfish, zippers cannot be dropped when a bird approaches from an unintended angle, and esp. with a bow those leafy things in breezy conditions freak birds out.

I'll chime in with my take just cause I've found most of this untrue with my doghouse setup. The biggest and only complaint I have with my doghouse is that the zippers make a noise. If you zip very slowly this can be alleviated but it's a pain in the butt.

I know that the model I bought is a step up but still probably paid around $100 on sale. It does have a dark interior you can't make out any siloutte with, extremely quick and silent setup, and does not move at all in the wind or when you bump it. (With it steaked). Was pretty much in the open and stayed put when we had 68mph winds the other week. (Which I was pretty worried about!) I've also been sitting in it many times when it was windy and never noticed a bird spook from the leaves moving. I have heard about this being true from others, just haven't seen it with my own experience. So for myself I would buy another in a second.

[Hoyt4]

Thanks Sticknstring I forgot about DB offering for traditional archers.I in Matrix you can shoot from the center of the blind with a long bow.

[Nymph]

our group shot 5 birds out of the doghouse blinds last year. You couldn't tell us anything different.They are a great blind for the money and we don't have any complaints for that. I picked up a new blind for like $50.00 last year.

[123fish]

We have shot a bunch of birds out of the Doghouse blind also. No complaints at all other than it is a bit of a trick to folding them up. Once you know it it's a snap though. Very good blind for under a hundred bucks.

[Hotspotter]

Tipp:

The newer model has the darker interior, my experience was with previous years' models which were practically see-thru. And you're right, stake them down and they're a bit more stable. The jellyfish comment still holds true when setup like the DB, as the Double-Bull is rigid without staking it down. Also, if you're trying to set-up with a bird coming, often you don't have time to stake them down. While this isn't the norm for me, it happens a handful of times each year to me personally. The material (even on newer models) still has sheen, so using them in the wide open (to cover two or more field edges) is not a viable option. The matrix and dark horse offer 360 degree shooting options without loud zippers or snaps, again making wide-open field setups a reality. That goes for turkeys in MN just the same as it does for antelope in WY.

They're small, esp. when trying to draw a bow or film with another in the blind. They're also not very waterproof, unless recent design changes have improved this aspect as well.

As mentioned, even leafy camo will spook birds, but it's more a consideration for the bow-hunter at closer ranges in breezy conditions. I'm sure it's a primary reason they only have the leaf-fringe on parts of it, rather than the entire thing as was an option with past models. Though other ameristep hub-copies of the double bull blinds have the fully leafy options, so I guess I'm not sure?

And all birds are different! We've all had the ones that come tripping over their beards from 300 yards across a creek and plowed field. But many seasons, you get one crack. It could be an older bird or otherwise educated from previous seasons. These birds, I promise, will not tolerate the above design flaws.

My intent is not to make you spend more money, or even rip on the doghouse. You defintely get alot for what you pay with that setup. My intent is to describe to you what's worked best for me and many others, why it works best; all the while trying to discuss turkeys and their behavior or attitude towards certain features.

DB has been copied forwards and backwards by Ameristep and countless others. The dark background, less leafy fringe, more dull fabric (still too much shine IMO), all are improvements made upon the doghouse from what the folks at DB have learned over the years. That said, I think the doghouse is better now, by far, than it ever has been.

Joel

[Hoyt4]

The newer blinds are getting better and chasing DB.There are so many now.You used to go to Gander or any shop there was only 2 or 3 different blinds, now 20.Yes someone will come up with one cheaper then DB and work great.But DB just is in another class.But if Primos gets it right they will have the high end and low end of the market.Everyone has there own opion and that's what is great about this site to share or discuss hunting or hunting equipment.New season starts tomorrow good luck to who is going.

[outfishedagain]

After owning several different blinds I feel that DB hands down has the best product on the market,their Slient window system unbeatable. Just having a larger carring bag makes it nice to carry two chairs and a blind in one bag. But thats my opinion.

Its just nice that so many companies started maked so many different blinds. That way we're all covered from Price to camo patterens. Ameristep even came out with their Scent Block Dream Season blind. (Haven't seen it in person yet, but it can't be an ultralight)

Some tips if looking into a blind would be what kind of hunting will you be doing in it, Bow or Gun. For bow hunting most blinds are not deep enough to draw your bow w/out putting the arrow outside first to draw. then look at the fabric to see how shinny it is. There several blinds that I would not let the sun even come close if i was hunting in them, especially if there is any plan on hunting deer from them. Turkeys it truly dosen't make much differece, but deer will pick up any ripple of shine in the wind. From there it is up the person using it to brush it in and put it in the best possible postion to help take that turkey or deer.

[Tipup101]

Now with you DB does any one mud them down like you do goose blinds. I was told buy a few guys the dealer the bought there blinds from said they should do it. Wondering if any one has done that.

[stretch]

no don't mud the blind. last night me and john b. the sales manager for primous/db went out and we talked about brushing in and mudding them and a bunch of other stuff and he said no need to mud, brush in when you feel it's nessasary, when turkey hunting leave the front window wide open so you won't hit anything when shooting your bow.