Deer stands/shooting houses

[Bkbanks13]

I’m looking at building some shooting houses/box blinds for a new place we got. I’ve been looking for different ideas and thinking about a garden shed style build. What’s everyone got for cool diy blinds?? Post some pics

 

[hunt1up]

I've recently switched to purchasing some higher end box blinds but I've built a few. My go-to to build is from large water tanks. The 1500 gallon poly water tanks. If you drive around in the country you can usually find them laying next to a farmer's barn. I've bought used ones at prices ranging from a case of beer up to $300. Watch Craigslist and FB Marketplace for them too. They're thick, durable, affordable, and fun to build.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

I find that 8'x8x8' framed buildings provide a good balance of space and visibility. You can spray foam or insulate the walls and have a pretty snug shelter for cold late season days.

I've been close to pulling the trigger on some of the recent Menards garden shed type "building in a box" that have been on special the last few months. If I recall they had 8x8 or 8x10 for around $500 including fasteners. The last time I was looking, it would be hard to build one for less than that with the price of lumber.

The next one I build may have pallet walls and floor and steel roof. I can get pallets for free from a couple different places, and they're basically ready made walls and flooring with existing nailers for hanging steel. The heavy cedar variety are pretty weather resistant as well.

 

[Forestryguy]

I've recently switched to purchasing some higher end box blinds but I've built a few. My go-to to build is from large water tanks. The 1500 gallon poly water tanks. If you drive around in the country you can usually find them laying next to a farmer's barn. I've bought used ones at prices ranging from a case of beer up to $300. Watch Craigslist and FB Marketplace for them too. They're thick, durable, affordable, and fun to build.

Do you insulate those with spray foam?

 

[Forestryguy]

I find that 8'x8x8' framed buildings provide a good balance of space and visibility. You can spray foam or insulate the walls and have a pretty snug shelter for cold late season days.

I've been close to pulling the trigger on some of the recent Menards garden shed type "building in a box" that have been on special the last few months. If I recall they had 8x8 or 8x10 for around $500 including fasteners. The last time I was looking, it would be hard to build one for less than that with the price of lumber.

The next one I build may have pallet walls and floor and steel roof. I can get pallets for free from a couple different places, and they're basically ready made walls and flooring with existing nailers for hanging steel. The heavy cedar variety are pretty weather resistant as well.

Insulate the ceiling if using tin roofing. Those get loud fast with rain or a muzzle blast.

 

[TSAMP]

Those water tanks are a good idea! Everybody I've seen make them end up costing far more then they anticipated. The nice/quiet windows can get expensive. There is a local Iowa guy that makes them with marine plywood and a rubber roof around that 2k price range that I've looked at multiple times. Nothing fancy but seem to be priced competitively.

I also hunted in a $7k + all metal one with carpeted walls in wyoming and I couldn't so much as hear the wind whistle through it.

 

[S-3 ranch]

try this cattle panel blind

 

[KenLee]

4x4 for one. 6x6 or 4x8 for 2.
I hate a large box for one person.
Movement and noise to position for a shot is not your friend

 

[GunsAreFun]

Join the Cool Deer Stands Facebook group.

 

[S-3 ranch]

Or

 

[N2TRKYS]

We started using SnapLock hunting blinds several years ago. They are great for getting them into hard to get to spots.

We build platforms about head high to put them on. They work great and we love them.

 

[EdP]

I built this one last winter/spring. Its on a hillside overlooking a food plot on my property.



Its 6x6x6. I built it in my garage shop in modular pieces so I could disassemble and take to the site and reassemble. Here it is on my trailer ready to go to the site.



Windows on 3 sides, door on the 4th. I put 1/4" foam panel insulation under the metal roof to quiet it down. It's probably too short for most people but I don't need more than 6' height. I put the same 1/4" foam insulation on the floor and covered it with rubber backed rug. A small Mr Buddy heater knocks the chill off if I get too cold.

 

[Rick M.]

@hunt1up Those look like miniature bunkers! Very cool.

 

[Shadow Illude]

This was my first. Just started building with no plans. Turned out ok. Hardest part was standing up the platform, followed closely by getting the Tin on without dying.

 

[hunt1up]

Do you insulate those with spray foam?

I've not insulated them but you certainly could. I've simply cut my window openings and framed them in with treated 1x4s. Then installed windows from www.deerviewwindows.com I think even uninsulated but with a heater would be just fine.

 

[EdP]

If you are going to have the windows open there is little benefit to adding insulation. If you don't have the windows open a propane heater fogs them in a matter of minutes.

I framed my windows with treated lumber but made the windows from untreated 2x4 with plexiglass screwed to the outside. They hinge closed against a weatherstripped edge. A piece of edge trim metal leftover from a roofing job was installed as an awning above the window. It seems to be providing adequate protection.

 

[hh76]

A friend built a couple out of old swing sets. Found a few for little or nothing. Most have a nice platform and "walls" already in place.

 

[Hacxor]

I've recently switched to purchasing some higher end box blinds but I've built a few. My go-to to build is from large water tanks. The 1500 gallon poly water tanks. If you drive around in the country you can usually find them laying next to a farmer's barn. I've bought used ones at prices ranging from a case of beer up to $300. Watch Craigslist and FB Marketplace for them too. They're thick, durable, affordable, and fun to build.

Those are nice!

 

[Hacxor]

This was my first. Just started building with no plans. Turned out ok. Hardest part was standing up the platform, followed closely by getting the Tin on without dying.
View attachment 487917

What is the inside going to look like?

 

[FLATHEAD]

As I get older, that style of hunting looks more and more inviting.