The 10 Best Hunting Blinds
This wiki has been updated 39 times since it was first published in July of 2015. Perfect for hardcore hunters looking for some extra coverage in the field, as well as nature photographers trying to get that perfect shot of skittish deer or other animals, these hunting blinds will give you close-up access to all kinds of wildlife by keeping you and your gear blended into the scenery. Most can also keep you somewhat protected from the elements, like rain or wind. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Barronett Blinds Ox 5 Pop Up
2. Primos Double Bull Stakeout
3. Primos Bull Deluxe
Editor's Notes
June 10, 2021:
Just a couple minor changes to this Wiki in 2021. The Ameristep Doghouse has changed its camo pattern ever so slightly, but the newer model otherwise performs identically to the old one. Similarly, the Ameristep Care Taker comes in three sizes, the largest of which is big enough for a pair of hunters or for an ultra-spacious bow hunting experience. The rest of our selections have not changed, and we still find the Barronett Blinds Ox 5 Pop Up to be the best high-end model on the market.
February 12, 2020:
We lost a few models from our previous ranking for a variety of reasons. The zippers on the Tangkula Portable Ground, for example, did not stand the test of time, and for keeping out everything from rain to insects, these are a pretty important component. The Primos Up-N-Down proved to be too basic for most hunters' needs, especially considering the more advanced options in a similar design like the Primos Double Bull Stakeout or the mirrored Ghostblind Runner 6-Panel.
Newcomers to the list include the Barronett Blinds Ox 5 Pop Up, which is surprisingly easy to assemble given its size, and which features one of the most convenient and quiet window systems on the market. It's one of those options that can serve as a palace for an individual hunter or as a bonding tent for small families enjoying nature. We also added the Rusk Two Tall, which is one of the only models out there tall enough to accommodate bow hunters standing upright for their shots.
4. Rusk Two Tall
5. Barronett Big Cat 350
6. Ameristep Doghouse
7. Barronett Blinds PT550BW Pentagon
8. Ameristep Easy Fold Tent
9. Ameristep Care Taker
10. Ghostblind Runner 6-Panel
A Safe And Successful Hunting Trip
Before you set out, make sure to communicate your plans to at least one other person.
A great hunting trip is, first and foremost, a safe one. It all starts with proper planning. Plan for the elements, for your food and hydration needs, for first aid, for ammunition needs, and then do it all again. Any properly planned camping, hunting, or hiking trip should involve redundancies in certain crucial areas.
Even if you think you have enough water to get you through the afternoon or the weekend, bring a water filter or iodine tablets along so you can safely collect more water should you need it in the field. Split your store of bullets into two different areas lest you lose a pouch or pack. Also, make sure you have the ability to layer your clothing for warmth and comfort, and to deal with wet clothing caused by rain, snow, a fall into water, or just by your own sweat.
And while it goes without saying for the experienced hunter, do make sure to know what game is in season, to bring the proper armaments, and to double check that your licenses and permits are all paid and in proper order. Also, take the time to clean and inspect your rifle, bow, or other weaponry to ensure that it is all in good working order.
Before you set out, make sure to communicate your plans to at least one other person. It's important that people know approximately where you will be going and for how long you will be out hunting; that way, in the event of an unforeseen emergency (both on your part or back in society, as it were) you can be more easily found.
Choosing The Right Hunting Blind
Choosing the right hunting blind depends on the type of animal you're after. While a low, compact blind might be great for a single hunter using a long arm to hunt for deer, it will be next to useless for the bow hunter who needs space for his or her larger weapon or for the group of hunters that wants to stick together.
Choosing the right hunting blind depends on the type of animal you're after.
Consider the shooting (or archery) position in which you are most comfortable and then choose a blind based on that stance. There are many blinds that allow for comfortable use while you are seated in a chair, while others will permit you to stand up straight. The hunter who wants to lie down can even find a suitable blind, and always remember that the blind you buy can be modified to some degree.
If you get a blind made with a ripstop material, you can always cut an extra slot or window into it if you'd like. The more comfortably and easily you can use a blind, the safer and more effective your hunting will be.
While most hunting blinds are relatively lightweight and easy to carry into the woods or along the shore of the lake, do take a minute or two to consider the size and weight of a prospective blind. Every pound adds up when you are carrying your gear on your back, so if one blind costs a bit more but weighs a bit less than a comparable option, that might be a trade well worth making.
Proper Use Of Your Hunting Blind
Prior to the setup and use of any hunting blind, you must first choose an ideal location for it. This location depends on the type of animal you are hunting as well as variables such as terrain and season. Be sure to watch out for everything from potential snow falling off branches to reduced or enhanced range of vision based on the foliage of the season.
Even more important when choosing a spot for your hunting blind, though, is making that spot known. Make sure to communicate the proposed location of your hunting blind to everyone in your hunting party (as well as to any other hunters, hikers, or campers you know to be in the field) so they can be sure to stay out of your field of fire, and to keep you out of theirs.
You won't be looking for animals in that direction anyway, so you might as well make it easy to be seen.
Also, consider making a part of your blind conspicuously visible, such as by draping it with orange blaze. Chances are good that your quarry won't be able to see the orange anyway (this is certainly true if you are hunting deer, which are essentially red-green color blind and unable to distinguish red, green, or orange), and it's wise to have the back of your blind easy to see. You won't be looking for animals in that direction anyway, so you might as well make it easy to be seen.
Remember that a hunting blind is not a tent. Most blinds have minimal structural integrity and cannot stand up to snow load, high winds, or heavy rains. They help to make you unseen by animals, but they are not true shelters and should not be used as such.
When possible, set your hunting blind up well before you will even occupy it. If you can set the blind up many days (or even week) before your plan to conduct your actual hunt, you will allow the animals in the area to get used to it. Once they are accustomed to the blind, they will come closer and closer and reduce their wariness, making them easier targets later.
Also, make sure that you properly "brush in" your hunting blind. This means selecting foliage similar to that growing around your blind's location and positioning cut brambles, branches, and bushes around, in front of, and even on top of the blind. Make sure to gather the foliage from an area well away from your blind, though, as defoliating the immediate area can make your location stand out more rather than less.
Building PCs, remodeling, and cooking since he was young, quasi-renowned trumpeter Christopher Thomas traveled the USA performing at and organizing shows from an early age. His work experiences led him to open a catering company, eventually becoming a sous chef in several fine LA restaurants. He enjoys all sorts of barely necessary gadgets, specialty computing, cutting-edge video games, and modern social policy. He has given talks on debunking pseudoscience, the Dunning-Kruger effect, culinary technique, and traveling. After two decades of product and market research, Chris has a keen sense of what people want to know and how to explain it clearly. He delights in parsing complex subjects for anyone who will listen -- because teaching is the best way to ensure that you understand things yourself.