Did I mess up building my blind windows?

[cajuntec]

I've never built a wooden blind before, but I knew what I wanted, and even drew it up before I built it.

Problem is - it's a "do all" blind - archery, gun, and crossbow. So I made the windows for multiple shooters to use all three. In the process... I may have made them too big, because even DeerView Windows don't have a stock height that would fit.

My front (main) window is 36" wide by 18" tall.

My two side windows are 25" wide by 18" tall.

I didn't want to make them too short, because we have archers of various heights using this blind.

So I had my son sit in the blind chair and aim - marked it.
Then I sat in the blind chair - he marked it.
Then I added just a few inches higher for a slightly taller archer.

Came up with 18" spread. So that's why I made them that high.

I just sent DeerView an email, asking about making custom sized windows.

Thoughts?

All the best,
Glenn

[Mudslinger]

To me, the window is too wide, lets too much light in. but that is your choice.
I made my first ones too big and it was like I moved and everything saw me. I put darkened netting, screen material over most of the opening and most of the opening ai bowhunt out of are no more than 12" to 16" high and about 10" wide. I have not had a problem with too much light in since.

[Muddy Bud]

Yep. I made my windows 12" wide by 24" tall and I get busted alot in there. I had to screen it in and just leave a hole big enough to shoot through.

[Ten Ring]

I made some really big windows on my gun blind. Could probably bow hunt out of it. I'm not sure about how big they are but I think the front one is 68" by 20" or something like that. the sides are probably 56" by 20" or so. I made them out of lexan so I can have a nice view of the sun coming up over the valley and the "mountains" on the other side of the valley. I have a buddy that sprays his with taillight "smoke" tint and what not so they are not clear and as easy for deer to see through. Also paint the inside of the stand black or camo to break up your outline/movements.

Here is a picture of my stand..... also should note I built this before I got into bow hunting so much, so it was just a gun blind.

[cajuntec]

To me, the window is too wide, lets too much light in. but that is your choice.
I made my first ones too big and it was like I moved and everything saw me. I put darkened netting, screen material over most of the opening and most of the opening ai bowhunt out of are no more than 12" to 16" high and about 10" wide. I have not had a problem with too much light in since.

I was thinking about doing the same - narrowing it up with material, but having it wide enough if I wanted to use it wide open. That is a fear of mine - everything seeing me in there because of too much light. I didn't even want to put in side windows, as all my shots last year were straight out the front main window. But the other shooters wanted a window on each side as well, so I added them. Thinking about putting solid wood "shutters" on them instead of windows. That way, I can just close them completely when I'm using it.

I also thought about splitting the front window into 2 or 3 sections that I could close individually.

All the best,
Glenn

[cajuntec]

Yep. I made my windows 12" wide by 24" tall and I get busted alot in there. I had to screen it in and just leave a hole big enough to shoot through.

I have a feeling I'll be doing the same. Thanks for the reply.
All the best,
Glenn

[BrianL]

I think you are OK with the size, but may need a way to adjust the opening. I use camo fabric and magnets to adjust the size. I have also spray painted some glass that wasn't needed because it was too high.

It is usually the windows behind you that get you busted.

[tradslam]

Paint the inside black, where black and don't get skylined and you'll be ok

[cajuntec]

This was my setup last year, so you can see the frame and pop-up I used really well:



This is where we put it, and it's where the frame still sits without the pop-up this year:



This is the new blind I build - all framed up with my son sitting in it acting like he's shooting:



After painting all interior walls black, and painting the frame black:



Wall frame all disassembled and walls screwed onto them, then everything (outside) painted green. The two walls at the top are the sides. The bottom left is the back (with the door at the bottom), and the bottom right is the main / front wall:

[cajuntec]

I think you are OK with the size, but may need a way to adjust the opening. I use camo fabric and magnets to adjust the size. I have also spray painted some glass that wasn't needed because it was too high.

It is usually the windows behind you that get you busted.

That's a good idea (the magnets). I don't have a window behind me. The back wall has a door in the lower half that I plan on sealing up really well. The entire inside is painted black.

All the best,
Glenn

[Drycreek3189]

I like no more window than I have to in a bow blind. Gun blinds with wide windows don't matter so much. When I originally built my cattle panel blinds, the windows were too big. Since then, I've made them smaller. I also have covers to block out the side windows if needed.

[gonehuntin68]

I like no more window than I have to in a bow blind. Gun blinds with wide windows don't matter so much. When I originally built my cattle panel blinds, the windows were too big. Since then, I've made them smaller. I also have covers to block out the side windows if needed.

I agree, I like my windows to be no more then 6" wide by 15" tall. Every ground blind I've bought I've made the windows smaller. Also the smaller the windows are the smaller the black hole is the deer are looking at and they will be less weary of it. You don't need a big window to cover a big area with your bow if the window is in the middle of the blind. I basically only use ground blinds on hand corn setups and I like the deer close, I usually have deer eating corn within 5 yards of me so the darker the inside of the blind the better. It sure is nice to move around in the blind comfortably when deer are really close and not be pinned down. I don't like shoot through netting because it really cuts down on the amount of light and will make it too tough to see the first and last 10 minutes of legal shooting light to make the shot.

[cajuntec]

Well, I still haven't heard back from Deerview, so I guess I'll have to figure something else out. I found some screen material and frames, and have an idea I think may work. I'll update this post if it works out. Thanks for all the comments.
All the best,
Glenn

[thehunted]

Well, I still haven't heard back from Deerview, so I guess I'll have to figure something else out. I found some screen material and frames, and have an idea I think may work. I'll update this post if it works out. Thanks for all the comments.
All the best,
Glenn

How did you reach out to us? Phone? Email? We are pretty good at getting back to everyone. Shoot me an email at Tyler@deerviewwindows.com; or a PM and I can get in touch with you.

[cajuntec]

How did you reach out to us? Phone? Email? We are pretty good at getting back to everyone. Shoot me an email at Tyler@deerviewwindows.com; or a PM and I can get in touch with you.

I clicked on the "Contact Us" link on your website, and filled out the form with the sizes I was looking for. I'll send you a PM. Thanks for responding to this post. I didn't know you were on here. Otherwise, I would have just sent you a PM. Thanks!
All the best,
Glenn