Whats your likes and dislikes and suggestions if you were to build a new one what shape and size. Pics would be cool if u have them. Im wanting to rebuild this summer. Currently the base is 14' up with a 8'x6' platform to build on. 3 person minimum.. What window layout works best? I have ideas for sure but whats the best youve hunted from?
Tower blind design...
- Thread starter Bowkills
- Start date
Whatever design you use, these brackets are well with the money. You can probably shop around and find them cheaper.
www.shadowhunterblinds.com
Double Angle Elevator Brackets
4x4 Elevator Brackets for Deer Blinds, Playhouses, Swing Sets, Tree Houses. Made in the USA with Premium Construction Grade Steel. Bonus Pack Includes hardware!
www.shadowhunterblinds.com
Same, never hunted from one but am looking to either build or buy a prefab one. Cool thread
What is your current layout?
I think I want a wall behind us so we don't silhouette. Besides that I haven't put much thought into it.
Hunted out of this tiny thing a couple of times this year and there is no way I'd buy one. This is all the space. And I don't know what kind it even is but I know it sucks.
whitetailjunky3
Junior Member
- 859
- 102
Once you build it I want to check it out would love to put something like that back on creek!
Big_Holla
Senior Member
We have 2 elevated shacks, I believe they are 5' X 7' and on 10 ft. (may be 8ft.) 4 X 4's using Elevators mounting brackets. We built them when the kids were young for the purpose of having a sheltered place to get into that the kids could move around in without spooking deer. They have more than served their purpose and we have killed several deer out of them over the years. This one has even survived a tree falling on the front right corner also taking out the steps. We have learned the ups and downs of building our own over the years. The biggest problem we have encountered in all the years were mice, squirrels and wasps getting inside. These pics are when we upgraded the windows in this shack to Deerview Windows.
When they were first built they had solid prop out windows you can kinda see in the background in the following picture. Even though I used the actual pieces I cut out of the siding for the window coverings we often had trouble keeping them sealed good enough to keep the critters out. If I were to build another I would consider either getting cheap windows from a Menards or perhaps on marketplace to avoid the problems that come with trying to make windows. Deerview Windows are real nice and made for blinds, however the single pane glass does fog up and makes it tough to see through on a cold day with the heater going and you are often wiping the windows down.
The new windows are sliders and both windows can be opened but not taken out. They are perfect for shooting a gun out of or a smaller width crossbow like what Jenna is shooting. Our old crossbow can fit but you have to take your time and make sure the limbs are on the outside OR completely inside before shooting. I could shoot a bow out of this but it is very limited on closeness to the blind for making any shot.
The views are great out of the blind and has become one of Jenna and Allen's favorite places to hunt from. We are planning to build at least one shack this spring/summer, actually Jenna and her BF started talking about it for a couple areas they hunted from the ground. Things I feel are important upgrades in the new build:
- Vertical & horizontal windows - double pane glass
- Advantages would simply be less frosted up glass, multi purpose hunting to use all season long.
- Actual steel door and frame. Some have found camper doors/frames cheap and used them. Perhaps I would cut down a full sized door so I don't have to build so high.
- Advantages to this would be very little critter and bug entry. Normal door handle and deadbolt to lock during the off season.
- Porch from stairs into blind. Our blinds have stairs that go straight up to the blind. It's a little awkward getting into the blind without having that good landing. Part of that is because I made the door so big that you really have to watch yourself as you feel like you may fall on the step in. I wouldn't even consider putting a ladder into one of these as the stairs have more than proven themselves to be the way to go in our book.
- Consider an octagon style build to put the vertical windows in 4 corners.
- Buy plenty of outdoor roofing/gutter caulk and seal every single crevice you can see. When we installed the Deerview windows we also went around and caulked everything til we ran out. This along with the windows has virtually eliminated mice. Bugs still get in around the door however and that is my next project for these shacks.
- Make the platform height 10 - 12 ft. tall.
My plan is to draw up our build on the computer (Inventor and/or AutoCAD) to give us actual build plans and a stocklist of what is needed. That is how I did the first two but hell if I can find those plans. Some of the planning will depend on the windows and door I can find.
When they were first built they had solid prop out windows you can kinda see in the background in the following picture. Even though I used the actual pieces I cut out of the siding for the window coverings we often had trouble keeping them sealed good enough to keep the critters out. If I were to build another I would consider either getting cheap windows from a Menards or perhaps on marketplace to avoid the problems that come with trying to make windows. Deerview Windows are real nice and made for blinds, however the single pane glass does fog up and makes it tough to see through on a cold day with the heater going and you are often wiping the windows down.
The new windows are sliders and both windows can be opened but not taken out. They are perfect for shooting a gun out of or a smaller width crossbow like what Jenna is shooting. Our old crossbow can fit but you have to take your time and make sure the limbs are on the outside OR completely inside before shooting. I could shoot a bow out of this but it is very limited on closeness to the blind for making any shot.
The views are great out of the blind and has become one of Jenna and Allen's favorite places to hunt from. We are planning to build at least one shack this spring/summer, actually Jenna and her BF started talking about it for a couple areas they hunted from the ground. Things I feel are important upgrades in the new build:
- Vertical & horizontal windows - double pane glass
- Advantages would simply be less frosted up glass, multi purpose hunting to use all season long.
- Actual steel door and frame. Some have found camper doors/frames cheap and used them. Perhaps I would cut down a full sized door so I don't have to build so high.
- Advantages to this would be very little critter and bug entry. Normal door handle and deadbolt to lock during the off season.
- Porch from stairs into blind. Our blinds have stairs that go straight up to the blind. It's a little awkward getting into the blind without having that good landing. Part of that is because I made the door so big that you really have to watch yourself as you feel like you may fall on the step in. I wouldn't even consider putting a ladder into one of these as the stairs have more than proven themselves to be the way to go in our book.
- Consider an octagon style build to put the vertical windows in 4 corners.
- Buy plenty of outdoor roofing/gutter caulk and seal every single crevice you can see. When we installed the Deerview windows we also went around and caulked everything til we ran out. This along with the windows has virtually eliminated mice. Bugs still get in around the door however and that is my next project for these shacks.
- Make the platform height 10 - 12 ft. tall.
My plan is to draw up our build on the computer (Inventor and/or AutoCAD) to give us actual build plans and a stocklist of what is needed. That is how I did the first two but hell if I can find those plans. Some of the planning will depend on the windows and door I can find.
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Sgt Fury
Sgt. Spellchecker
I have a wooden elevated blind and I did the same with the caulk. It stopped mice but the wasps always find a way in…even in my new sportsman’s condo, a few find their way in. I’m going to caulk the windows that I don’t use in the condo and put up some thin insulation strips in the one I do use…hopefully it solves the wasp problem. The wooden blind, they always got in via the door frame. I used the foam sealant and when it was dry, went back and used a very sharp knife and cut out around the door from the outside. I then went in through a unlocked window and did the same from the inside. It took some trimming and fine tuning but it worked. Haven’t had a wasp in that blind in years. Also, if you have a carpet floor, whenever you walk in with wet boots or snow on them, over time it will develop a musty smell. I bought some baking powder and sprinkled some on the carpet…also leave a new box in there every season. It helps to absorb the odor from the wet carpet.
Big_Holla
Senior Member
I should have mentioned, get the medicated cattle ear tags and hang in your blinds. Knock on wood they seem to have eliminated them from the two shacks we put them in.
I can shoot in all directions. I made it tall enough to shoot a bow from mistake number 1 for us anyhow. Mistake two is using what i had which was one house door and a large window. This was a temporary build but its time with the kids interest peaked and a shattered window to make it nice. Id like to just center up some things and possible do away with the door and go through a hatch door in the floor to keep my stairs from weathering to much. Window placement and size are key. Blockout and all the goodies will happen in time. 4 Telephone pole base has held well in straight line winds.
My buddy Kevin went all out when they built this one. Pretty nice.
Then they built this one for his son and kids on his sons property.
@whitetailjunky3 I would not build one right in your honey hole you like to bowhunt. They are nice and cozy but if u spend much time going to and from it older deer will adjust and aviod it and do loops around it. Imagine a public land blind for use to anyone its pretty much the same thing as presured as it is here. They know what they are. Ive often thought of ripping mine down because it has 100 percent changed a honey hole. Id relocate to a not so shaby spot or keep it back aways from their highway or theyll a new one farther away. Just my to cents from messing up my spot.
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My blind is 4x8 floor shed design 5 windows, 2 doors , for long bow, floor 13 ft high - built on skids so it can be moved with tractor - all treated lumber
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Bigcountry40
Member
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