Hello all,
I mostly run and gun so I don't use a blind regularly. When I'm by myself, I pretty much only hunt from one when there is a fair amount of rain. I have an Ameristep TomTaker 2 that I bought on sale for $99 back around 2007. It's finally seen its better day. It has holes where the hubs rub the material and the zipper has broke. That is supposed to be a 2 person blind but I like the ample space for just me, and it's still small enough to throw on my back and take along with the rest of my hunting gear for a fairly long hike to a target location. The dimensions of it are 60 wide by 55 high and has both horizontal and vertical windows. One of the nicer things is the carrying bag. It has a very convenient full length zipper and padded backpack style straps. It has enough extra room that I can throw in a folding chair and seat pad. I absolutely have loved it, but they don't make it anymore. I have 3 kids so I also have a Barronett Pentagon that has served me well but is huge and way too big for just me.
Because my Ameristep was toast, my wife decided to get me a new blind for Christmas. She thought she was doing me a favor and got me one of those new fangled see-through blinds. I do like the concept, but this blind is complete fail for me for a number of reasons. I haven't quite broken the news to her yet but I will soon. It's the thought that counts, right? The blind she got is Funhorun, which I have never heard of. The sides are a soft cloth/felt type material which does make it light, but when folded it is very long and bulky. There is no way I could carry it and all my gear. I'm guessing that the sides won't be rain-proof and will retain moisture, but that remains to be seen. The worst part about it is the only openings for shooting are horizontal and high up at eye level. There is no way to shoot from a seated position at a bird on the ground. The bag it came in is so tight that I have already popped the seam and it hasn't even been out in the field yet. It also has a single long strap with no padding. The thing just screams poor quality. The biggest bummer is she paid $185 plus shipping for it. There are lots of other options at that price!
More blind news - I went out Monday to deploy the blind in the field. One of the sliding window connectors wasn't connected. It is hard plastic and I tried to snap it on with all my might. I thought it finally snapped on but no, it just snapped. I broke it. I did hear back from their customer service from before and they are going to replace the bag. That would be great if the blind fit back in the bag. I have added additional cinch straps and it still doesn't fit.
So, does anyone have a recommendation on a decent replacement? I would love exactly what I had before if I could find it. Is Ameristep as of high quality as it used to be? Do you know which model would be similar to what I have? Any other recommendations?
Nukem blind is good for one person
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I really like the Primos Hide and Sneak. I like it so much im going to buy a second one.
I don't think that's the same as the Tidewe. I have the Tidewe see through blind as do a few of my friends and we all have had positive experiences with them. They don't have any of the felt that you're talking about and fit back in the bag just fine.
The Tidewe turkey vest is also very good/comfy. I would recommend it.
Edit: For run and gun I really like the Ameristep Throwdown blind. I only use a full blind with my kids.
Nukem is an option but not in the rain
Ive used the 2 man chair blind in the rain and have killed turkeys from it a couple times. Easy to set up but a little heavy.
My favorite one man blind is a Primos Gun Hunter. Doesn't matter because that style was discontinued several years ago. I wish I could find another because mine might wear out someday.
I have the smaller Tidewe 3 side see through that I've set up a few times to stretch the fabric, but only hunted out of it once. No problems at all so far. Except tom died when he got too close to it.
Quote from: kayl on April 20, 2025, 04:24:02 PMI don't think that's the same as the Tidewe.
Thanks for the feedback on TidWe. After comparing their websites they don't seem to be similar products. I removed my reference in my original post.
The alps deception blind is what I use when it's pouring. It's meant to be used with the gobbler lounger style chair. It's light compact and fast to setup and takedown.
Quote from: backforty on April 21, 2025, 08:28:00 PMThe alps deception blind is what I use when it's pouring. It's meant to be used with the gobbler lounger style chair. It's light compact and fast to setup and takedown.
I saw an older post with this blind and checked it out..I do like the lower profile and being able to use a gobbler chair. I don't have one but it seems this would be perfect for those days where the turkeys aren't gobbling but you know they are there and you just want to sit and wait them out.
I use the spring steel hoop style blinds for both deer and turkey hunting. Definitely one man and you can get the barrel outside with little movement. You can get away with much more movement than sitting against a tree. Several companies make them. Worked for me again this morning. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250422/52a0adf4ec7a45ccee6ca543350520c0.jpg)
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Quote from: backforty on April 21, 2025, 08:28:00 PMThe alps deception blind is what I use when it's pouring. It's meant to be used with the gobbler lounger style chair. It's light compact and fast to setup and takedown.
I have the Alps Deception blind and use it infrequently, but it is the only full blind made specifically for turkey hunting and the lower profile and weight are as good as it gets. I prefer a Mad V or Ameristep throw down for general use and lighter weight.
I don't use blinds often but the we've had better luck with the spring steel ones than the hub style over the years. Usually the spring steel ones last twice as long
I bought the Ameristep throw down and before I took it hunting 1 of the stakes that go into the ground had fell out. I fortunately found the stake ... i think I fixed the stake falling out ... i put it back into the hub and drilled a small hole....inserted a cotter key so it couldn't fall out again. Yes I did all 3 like that. I put a little JB weld on the cotter key to hold it securely.