Thinking of getting a hub style portable, considering the clam thermal. Was thinking of using as ground blind also. Are they hard to set up and down? Was looking at the black/grey. Had a double bull and seemed to be hard to set up and also down.
Not too hard to set up and down just make sure you anchor one side before pulling it up in wind. Before you buy the clam I would suggest you look at other brands. I bought a polar bird and I love it. They would get my vote
I’m don’t think the polar bird would work out too well for pulling double duty as a ground blind considering it doesn’t have windows. Unless they made some design changes since last year I would pass on the polar bird. I’ve heard great things about them considering ice fishing though.
However, you should shop around. I bought my Shappell WideHouse 5500 about 5-6 seasons ago (for under $200) and I can set it up and take it down literally in just a few minutes by myself. It’s a super easy setup. I’ve never broken a pole, window, zipper, or had any of the fabric tear or fray. The ice anchors aren’t that bad either. I usually put one through a rivet in the skirting opposite of the wind and I’ll use another with the tie-down strap on the hub facing the wind, all by hand. I’ve never had any of the hubs collapse on me either.
Overall, it’s been a real nice hub shelter that has worked out well for me the past 5 seasons. I wouldn’t hesitate to use it as a ground blind either other than it’s blue and not camouflage but in my experience, that doesn’t matter all that much if at all. Set it up a week before the season starts so it isn’t a new thing in the woods and you’re good to go.
The Clam hubs have sewn in windows. However they do make a camo one called the XL2000T which doubles as a blind. This is the only one where you could shoot out the windows I believe.
I don’t see any reason they wouldn’t make a good hunting blind. For instance, you could use the Otter Lodge hub, which is an excellent hub house. Leave both zippered entrances open and secured to the velcro so the flaps won’t move in the wind. Toss a camouflage net over the top of the house and secure it, and you have two open shooting lanes. It also has four removal clear plastic window if you’d rather try those.
I have a Clam Bigfoot XL2000T Sportsmen. used it opening weekend of deer season and had a large doe come within 35 yards of me. didn’t get a shot off because the doe caught my movement as I went to reach for my rifle. the only negative to this blind/hub combo is that the main windows are a little high when sitting on a small chair. I ended up watching out the gun ports.
here is a link to it :
http://stores.clamoutdoors.com/clam/shelters/bigfoot-hunter-camo-ground-blind.html
hubs are great for ice fishing if you don’t tend to move around or if you want a “basecamp”. Don’t know about how good or bad they might be for hunting.
Thanks for the information. Will have to go and look at different ones. Was thinking could shoot out the door opening instead of the windows. Would be using a crossbow.
Look at the Eskimo 949, lots of good sized windows in all directions, Velcro on/off, big doors.
If you have the double bull you have one of the best blinds out there. If you have problems using it I will take off your hands 
Polar bird would be my vote if you are going with a new hub fish house.
Look at the Eskimo 949, lots of good sized windows in all directions, Velcro on/off, big doors.
X2. Love my eskimo
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