How to Build Elevated Hunting Blinds
An elevated hunting blind gives you an advantage over other hunters in terms of visibility, comfort and camouflage. An elevated hunting blind is simply a box set up on stands or in a tree to provide better shots. Never forget, however, that you will be elevated in a structure of your own design, so there are some simple procedures to follow to make sure you do it right and without hurting yourself or others.
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Instructions
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Decide whether you want to build a platform in a tree or construct your own stands. Building in a tree can be sturdier and more traditional, but you may not have as much space.
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Choose a spot on which to build your hunting box blind. Remember to choose dry, level ground.
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Focus first on the stands themselves, the support for your elevated blind. Generally, stands have 4 legs (though 3 are sometimes used) and are bonded to each other with steel rods.
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Ensure that your stands are sturdy and level. After you build them, test them far beyond the limits of what they should be able to endure. If you are able to kick, pry, push, or rock them over, they are unusable for your purposes.
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Fasten your stand legs to the ground by driving metal rods through the holes at their feet.
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Construct your blind with the stand in mind, making sure that it will attach sturdily to the base. Build the floor first, and then the walls and ceiling. Plastic or sheet metals are probably the best options, as wood can be very heavy.
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Test your elevated blind for safety one more time before you use it. Remember to test not only the stands and the box blind, but also the connection between the two.
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Tips & Warnings
Think about how many times per year you want to go hunting. If you plan to use your blind often, you'll need to think about sturdiness, as it will have to endure frequent wear.
Build your box blind on the edge of an extremely dense thicket. An elevated blind can give you access to areas of the hunting grounds otherwise unavailable. This is especially advantageous when spooked deer use the thicket to hide, leaving themselves open to your crosshairs.
If you don't take care to smell-proof your elevated hunting blind, even the most camouflaged blind can repel animals. Sprays and special cloth are available for sale at any hunting-supply store.
If you are an inexperienced builder, do not construct your own stands without double-checking them with a more knowledgeable peer.
Always build with care. Faulty construction can cause injury to anyone involved.
