It’s possible to arrow a tom without a blind during the spring season, but for most bowhunters the only way to go is with a well-placed hub-style blind. If you want to be able to scratch your nose, take a sip of coffee, and ride out a long day in one turkey spot — hub-style blinds are the answer. Ditto for anyone hunting with kids, or who wants to capture their gobbler-skewering antics on film.
Anyone interested in ground blinds will probably notice they all look relatively similar, at least in overall shape. But you’ll notice that window configurations, weight, and material used in construction vary greatly. Some blinds are put together so poorly that they are essentially a one-season-and-done proposition. Others are built to last, but usually cost more than their throwaway counterparts.
No matter what you’re interested in, you can find a new blind to suit your needs. Following are several options that will allow you to enjoy those early April mornings.
Ameristep Distorter
The problem with most hub-style blinds is that on their own, they don’t look all that much like something natural. After all, how often do you see a giant cube in the woods or plopped on a field edge? You can brush blinds in and disrupt the typical shape, or you can pick up a Distorter from Ameristep. This blind’s silhouette allows it to disappear into the woods much easier, and provides enough space for up to three hunters.
Baronett OX 4 Backwoods Blind
Baronett has developed a strong following with their blinds, especially when it comes to hunters who aren’t built like horse jockeys. The OX 4, for example, is at its highest point — 72 inches — and boasts and impressive footprint of 60 x 60 inches. It’s also designed with one large horizontal window for unhindered viewing and shooting as well as two peek windows, so you can spot a silent gobbler slipping into your dekes and get your bow in hand.
Browning Phantom X
I’ve used a few blinds from the Browning lineup over the years and have grown to love them. One of their latest is the Phantom X, a killer blind that allows for a 180-degree view. It weighs under 20 pounds and boasts a footprint of 59 x 59 inches. The Phantom X utilizes extra strong fiberglass poles, a 100-percent brushed 600D polyester fabric, and oversized #10 zippers. This blind is very well thought out and a…
