How to Repair Eastman Hunting Blinds

Hunting blinds hide the hunter from the hunted.

Eastman Outfitters makes a series of hunting stands and blinds. Varieties include ground blinds and tree stand blinds. These blinds use nylon, like tents, to make the walls and roof of the blinds. They use camouflage patterns so the blind blends with the surroundings. Fiberglass poles hold up the walls. Due to the inclement weather the blinds are subjected to, the blinds may sometimes need repair. Common issues include pole repair and patching the tears in the nylon fabric.

Things You'll Need

• Pole repair kit with rod blanks
• Duct tape
• Lighter
• Nylon camo patch
• Nylon adhesive
• Hair dryer or heat gun

Instructions

Pole Repair

1. Remove the broken pole from the blind. Inspect the pole and locate the rod blank or shock cord section needing repair or replacement.

2. Pull the rod blanks apart at the broken section. If the shock cord is damaged, pull the rod blank out to expose the cord, and cut it above the rod blank end. Take care to hold the cord end on the non-damaged pole. Pull this cord out and tie a large square knot to prevent the shock cord from retreating into the pole.

3. Cut a replacement piece of the 3-millimeter shock cord the same length as the cut piece from the rod blank. Take the square-knotted end of the pole cord and untie the knot, taking care to hold the cord after the knot is out. Hold the lighter flame under each cut end of the cord to prevent nylon frays.

4. Tie the replacement shock cord to the pole shock cord and tighten the knot so it fits into the rod blanks. Tie off the other end of the cord should the rod blank repair section be in the middle section of the pole. If there is a cracked rod blank, pull the blank off prior to connecting the shock cord and slide a replacement rod blank onto the pole.

Nylon Patch

1. Measure the torn area of the nylon wall or ceiling on the blind. Hold the nylon patch material from the repair kit to the tear and cut a piece one inch larger than the tear. Cut a second piece the same size.

2. Apply the nylon adhesive to the back of one of the patches. Pull the tear together and place the patch, glue side down, onto the torn area. Hold in place for five minutes to let the glue set. Go to the opposite side of the tear and glue the second patch. Press this onto the tear and hold in place five minutes to let the glue set.

3. Line the patches with duct tape. Leave the duct tape on until the glue is completely dry and then remove. The tape keeps the patches from falling off as the glue dries. If you are near an electric source, hold a hair dryer to the patches to accelerate the drying process.

References

• Kill Zone: How to Repair a Ground Blind
• McNett Outdoor: Repair Guide