The Best Elevated Deer Blinds For Bowhunting in 2022
Even though the creeks of the hot summer are being pretty kind to me, I still can’t help thinking about bow season coming in like Christmas morning.
We are now inside of three weeks until opening day in my state and many others, and it’s time to get our preparations in order.
If you have not mapped out and set up your position(s), then I can tell you that is the first place you’ll want to start because it is incredibly time sensitive, as you will see. There are many different ways to set up positions when bow hunting.
Some like a small platform with little or no safety railing, some prefer a common tree stand.
Some people prefer ground stalking while still others prefer setting up a position on the ground.
Today we’re going to look at my favorite way to set up for deer hunting during bow season, The Elevated Hunting Blind.
Today we’re going to take a look at some common questions and considerations comparing ground blinds to elevated deer blinds for bowhunting.
Hopefully by the end of this article you will have confidently chosen The Best Elevated Deer Blind for Bowhunting in 2022!
Are Ground Blinds Good for Bowhunting?
Ground blinds are arguably the most comfortable way to hunt deer. It is perhaps the best way for a first timer or someone still fairly new, to get into bow hunting.
You are covered from all sides, which enables you to move a bit more freely with less risk of being noticed by an approaching deer. It also muffles your sound slightly, and helps keep the wind off of you in cold seasons.
If you prefer this method of set-up it is important to get it in place as soon as possible, and ideally in an area where the deer can see it within 50-75 yards before approaching.
If the deer become comfortable with the blind’s presence, they might just begin approaching right up to the blind.
However, that possibility brings to light the ground blind’s biggest fault. It puts you on the ground and at an easy eye level for deer.
If you do not take some precaution with your movement, even within the shadowy concealment of the blind, you can tip off deer to your presence.
Luckily these days we can elevate our blinds on platforms and bring them up where once only your tree stand could take you!
Do Elevated Box Blinds Scare Deer?
This is a complicated question because it is dependent on a few factors and has both a yes and no answer. If a blind has been erected inside of a week to 10 days of your season starting, you are not going to have a good time.
Trust me, we made property modifications on day 9 and 8 before the season last year (due to schedule issues, I knew it was risky) and we paid the price with our worst season in years on that parcel.
If you are putting up your blind over a food plot or mineral lick, you will certainly have an easier time moving bigger deer back in sooner.
If you are just relying on the natural habitat and do not have attractants near the blind, you will need to erect it with some time to spare to get big deer coming back around, perhaps two weeks to 18 days.
Smaller deer will be the first to start coming back around, as they are not as easily spooked.
If you are setting up over plots, then you can figure within two weeks sizable deer should be coming back around, especially if they find the younger deer accessing food and minerals.
Should I Elevate a Ground Blind?
Yes! Elevating your ground blind gives it multiple advantages over leaving it on the ground, as well as eliminating a ground blind’s biggest weakness, higher exposure to deer.
In addition to getting you out of sight, elevating your ground blind increases your visibility; taking your 360 degree perspective up 10, 12 or even just 5 feet does wonders for your ability to see deer around you.
It basically combines the best of both worlds, a tree stand for its view and a blind for its comfort. The biggest question you are going to have to entertain is what type of elevated blind are you trying to purchase?
There are a couple of basic designs. One is built a bit heavier and intended to not be moved much or at all after you position it.
The other is lighter and intended to provide a bit less weather and stealth protection but can be broken down and moved much easier. This is something you should be considering.
If you prefer to move your position, or at least the freedom to do so after each season, then you may be looking more closely at the lighter elevated blind kit.
If you have staked out a plot or two, maybe by a pond or stream, and want to make them permanent positions, you will probably want to consider the heavier kit.
Either way, you’ll be elevated and concealed, stealthy and comfortable.
If you have a hunting property, you will thank yourself for investing in an elevated ground blind. With that in mind, let’s check out The Best Elevated Deer Blinds for Bowhunting in 2022!
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The Best Elevated Deer Blinds for Bowhunting: A 2022 Buyers Guide
Rivers Edge 2-Man Outpost Tower
THE EARLY SEASON TOWER
The RIVER'S EDGE 2-MAN OUTPOST TOWER is perfect for bow hunting.
It may be the most accommodating elevated platform you can find.
Unlike a tree stand, this tower is free standing and allows for full range of motion 360 degrees around you.
This tower is built for two in case you have a spouse, child, or friend you’d like to take along; otherwise, you can also enjoy that extra space on your own!
Both seats are TearTuff Mesh and swivel independently. The tower has a padded shooting rail that can be adjusted within an 8” range, which will come in extra handy if you choose to use the tower during firearm season.
The tubing and cross-braces are constructed of steel and built for heavy durability, and the tower comes with stakes to secure the legs of the tower to the earth.
The crater core camo curtain is included and covers the entire perimeter of the tower railing. I personally like the pattern and color of the curtain that RIVER’S EDGE included, because I think it is versatile in both terrain and season accommodation.
However, if you are already partial to a certain pattern and want to replace it, I’m sure you can purchase your own and modify it. The platform you’ll hang it on is 57.5” X 57.5” allowing plenty of room whether you are solo or with a buddy, and stands 8 and ½ feet off the ground.
The shooting rail stands 11’3” from the ground, while both seats set 10 feet off the ground. The legs sprawl wide with a 9’9” X 9’9” footprint, providing that extra stability you will want if the wind picks up suddenly.
The tower weighs 200lbs by itself, which is hearty enough to help with stability, and supports a capacity weight of 500lbs.
This is my favorite stand between the two I’ve selected this year, mainly because it’s open design is ideal for bow-hunting.
I can hunker down into a smaller space much easier when I’m firing a rifle but during bow season, especially early on in the warmer months, I prefer that open set-up that allows greater movement with your bow.
With the RIVERS EDGE 2-MAN OUTPOST TOWER you are giving yourself the advantage of elevation and an open platform for care-free movement, while not risking exposure due to the crater core camo blind curtain.
You will not be disappointed with this blind!
FEATURES & SPECS:
Height: Platform 8’5” - Seats 10’ - Shooting Rail 11’3”
Padded Shooting Rail with 8” range of adjustment
2 independent swivel TearTuff mesh seats
Stakes to secure legs and ladder
Platform dimensions: 57.5” X 57.5”
Tubing and Cross-Bracing made from all steel construction
9’9” X 9’9” footprint
Seat dimensions: 18.5” X 15.5”
Tower weight: 200lbs
Tower and Platform weight capacity: 500lbs
Crater Core Camo blind curtain that covers entire perimeter of the tower railing
Landmark Lm620 Permanent Blind Tower
THE ALL SEASON TOWER
RIVER’S EDGE won me over this year. There are several good blind companies out there, but many of them are not diving headfirst into the elevated blind game, and I think that is about to change.
Once hunters get used to hunting in elevated blinds like the LANDMARK PERMANENT BLIND TOWER, the market is going to force everyone to get in the game. Because it’s enclosed and covered, it is certainly a bit more luxurious tower and blind than our more rugged previous entry.
But when you hunt to provide, the romanticized version of yourself only comes out when he must and oftentimes it makes life a lot easier to have a less glamorous, but also less windy and less cold position staked out.
With that said, it’s not the Taj Mahal. The steel frame is covered with marine-grade reinforced synthetic Tarpaulin that is built to last many seasons and in all seasons, but is not like having insulated walls with carpeted interior.
We may be enjoying a few luxuries, but this is still a blog for the Rugged Man.
The windows slide silently, and the door itself doubles as an extra large window which is great for standing and firing a bow.
This blind was designed with bow hunters in mind.
They allow for 72” of wall height and a height of 86” in the center of the blind tower, which is more than enough for the average person to stand and shoot.
The windows are 33” X 39” which is almost 3ft X 3ft and gives you ample room to line up a good shot with your bow.
Like our previous blind tower, this blind can accommodate other hunters as well, in fact the LANDMARK PERMANENT BLIND TOWER can hold up to four people!
The blind itself weighs 108lbs and is a drab green color, which I like in a wilderness setting. The tower is constructed from powder-coated steel and stands 10’.
You will need to bring your own seats if you intend to sit, because the blind does not come equipped with seats, but with your feet resting 10 feet above the ground you’ll have a fantastic view of your parcel!
The platform is 6’ X 6’ and the whole tower weighs 275lbs. With a weight capacity of 800lbs, this tower can definitely hold a few friends.
Stakes and an anchor system are included to keep the tower on the ground where it belongs!
If you are looking to hunt from September though the end of February, then this is the elevated blind that you want!
FEATURES & SPECS:
Door doubles as window
4 side shooting
Sliding windows and door
Accommodates up to 4 hunters
Wall height: 72” Center height: 86”
Window dimensions: 33” X 39”
Frame: Tubular Steel Construction
Blind weight: 108lbs
Color: Green/Drab Green
Tower height: 10’
Tower frame: powder coated steel
Platform: 6’ X 6’
Tower weight: 275lbs
Tower weight capacity: 800lbs
Stakes and anchor system included
“In a civilized and cultivated country wild animals only continue to exist at all when preserved by sportsmen. The excellent people who protest against all hunting, and consider sportsmen as enemies of wildlife, are ignorant of the fact that in reality the genuine sportsman is by all odds the most important factor in keeping the larger and more valuable wild creatures from total extermination.”
— Theodore Roosevelt
Elevated ground blinds have taken a bit to catch on, I think partially because they appear to be a lot of work. However, when comparing it to the effort it takes to haul in a tree stand and install it, the difference is miniscule.
I know after considering the benefits it has certainly been worth the not-so-strenuous effort for me. It’s high time you took your strategies for filling the freezer to the next level, and quite literally.
Get yourself into one of the elevated ground blinds on our list today. You’ll beat the wind, fool their eyes and you’ll probably come out with more venison than your deep freeze can hold!
Good luck to everyone this season and make sure you are safe out there! And, remain Rugged!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ryan Smith is an avid angler, hunter and outdoorsman based in central Kentucky.
Ryan spends between 60 and 110 days fishing each year.
He is a carpenter by trade, rugged by nature.
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