Any crossbow tips for Doghouse blind?

ninepointer · Post by **ninepointer** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 9:24 pm

I just bought a used Ameristep Doghouse blind and intend to set it up tomorrow. My first impression is that the wide window will be more practical than the small window. Any other tips?

wabi · Post by **wabi** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 9:32 pm

I have a doghouse set up at my food plot/feeder area. I set it so a corner faces the center of the food plot, instead of a flat side. This allows me to open two full width windows and still set in the dark "back" corner. A wide shooting area, but still good concealment.
I do wear a black jacket (polarfleece) when in the blind. I also painted the two windows that face the food plot black on the exterior. That way they look similar whether opened or closed. I believe the deer get used to seeing it with those two large black areas, and get used to it looking that way.

michiganman · Post by **michiganman** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 9:57 pm

i use the blind for turkey hunting.i use the big window,and leave the mesh in the two small windows for viewing.i sometimes dont open the window all the way.once your in there you will see how much to open for a good shot.i also use black cloths and face net.ive shot 4 turkeys out of mine with a bow,1 with a cross bow.you can shhot out of little window if needed.sit way in the back of it.

Galgo · Post by **Galgo** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 10:28 pm

I leave all three windows open wide enough to stick the x bow out to shoot at odd angles. Did that this season with my first doe successfully. I could probably not just leave the small window open but it's nice to have options. The small windows work well for turkey shot gun.

Philzleads · Post by **Philzleads** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 10:44 pm

I have a Doghouse blind and I like it but here's what I have found. If you are going to shoot thru the mesh, you should, as I read in a column recently, practice shooting thru it at a target. I won't shoot thru mine, but not because I would ruin the mesh, I just think it will affect your POI. I actually had to learn that the hard way......

I open the small windows all of the way, then velcro the mesh about a third of the way up, so that I have 2/3 of the top of the window for viewing/shooting. I also have a bipod setup for shooting.

I'm in the woods with mine, facing public land, setup on private land and deer can literally come from any direction, and they have. So, I also leave the back door zipper unzipped about 10 inches at the top so I have an inch or so wide that I can see what's going on out the back. Had four deer appear from behind me earlier.

I sit on a 5Gallon bucket with a swivel-seat on it.

VixChix · Post by **VixChix** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 11:32 pm

I sit in the far corner and I leave 1/2 of each of the windows at the other corner open.

huntone · Post by **huntone** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:30 am

Brush it in well. I used camo netting on top to keep shine down.

and I put brush in that to. Not really necessary, but I liked it.

Plenty of info. from members on here. With their help I was able

to have a successful hunt in my Doghouse.

fdegurse · Post by **fdegurse** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 7:41 am

I hunt it like Wabi 2 or 3 windows open and tucked in the back, watch your tips if you take a shot that your clear of the blind

ninepointer · Post by **ninepointer** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:22 am

I set up the blind this morning. Thanks for all the tips; I've already used several of them

Keep the tips coming!

awshucks · Post by **awshucks** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:07 am

Shoulder your bow before you cock it a few times and line up for an imaginary shot. Check your limb clearance like that and you won't have to wonder while watching a deer approach.

saxman · Post by **saxman** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 9:31 am

I only open the window I'll be shooting out of,It's so thick here there is usually one shooting option only.

I leave that window down (the small one) all the time.
Most of my deer have been shot from a doghouse.

Island Hunter · Post by **Island Hunter** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 11:59 am

I have an Ameristep G30, a hub style blind. I set it up in my yard and put my target at 20yds. I practice out of it to get used to shooting from it. I have gun hunted out of it and what I do is open all of my front windows about 1/3 of the way down. The I open the front of the side windows, leaveing the back of the window up. Then I sit to the back of it, I have found this also works with my Cb. I have never been busted in this blind, I can move around all I want, the deer can't see me in it. Like I said get used to shooting out of it and you shouldn't have any problems in the field. Happy Hunting.

perrysbirds · Post by **perrysbirds** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 6:13 pm

I have an exomax and I shot a yote out of mine this year!
Not a big lot of room in there but if your a smaller built person its fine!
Get in there and get comfortable before you hunt!

roly · Post by **roly** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 6:26 pm

Do you guys have to scent spray the blind?

VixChix · Post by **VixChix** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 7:14 pm

I don't spray the blind - just leave it out for a few days.