Blackening Blinds

  • protourbaits
    stillwater, MN
    Posts: 2466
    #210804

    I have an Ameristep 360. There are windows all around the blind that you can obviously zip up or put the mesh windows up on little clips. I was thinking this year of putting black felt or some other material on the sides that i won’t be shooting out of to darken the inside of the blind Would i be wasting my time or is it worth it?? I know it would be a pain in the to do it every time i put the blind up but it sounds appealing

    robstenger
    Northern Twin Cities, MN
    Posts: 11374
    #47359

    Most of the blinds come that way now with Black in the Blind. Turkeys really have a hard time seeing in a dark blind, especially if you are wearing a black hat/shirt/facemask.

    Hassle??? Yes. Worth it??? That is up to you.

    robstenger
    Northern Twin Cities, MN
    Posts: 11374
    #47360

    If the rest of your blind is not black or dark, are you really gaining that much?? Would zipping up those windows and just wearing camo be a better option for you?

    Joel Nelson
    Moderator
    Southeast MN
    Posts: 3137
    #47361

    There’s alot of value to having black background in the blind, that’s for sure. However, I’m not so sure this is a Do-It-Yourself project, in that to completely cover every surface, you’d lose the ability to easily open/close windows. I know you could cut them out, but you want your background to be completely black.

    There’s already things in the blind that aren’t quite black like your bow, arrows, fletching, skin around eyes, etc. Even a little bit of light affects your chances with birds at close ranges. If decoying, this matters less IMO. Even so, you can still bust birds with movement in the blinds if everything isn’t set right. I’ve done it before and I’m sure I’ll do it again.

    I would look into getting a good deal on a used Double Bull, or selling your Ameristep to get a DB. You won’t be sorry, and you’ll own the blind for 10 years or more.

    Joel

    protourbaits
    stillwater, MN
    Posts: 2466
    #47364

    The outside of the blind has long leafs that act as darkening agent when there is wind and it does do a nice job keeping light out when there is no wind. The bottom of the blind up to about your knees when sitting down is black, then the windows, then black again.

    woodenfrog
    se mn
    Posts: 123
    #47492

    What you could possibly do,depending on your setup is to have a dark blanket/material and cover/drape(on the inside) with a clothes pin etc. the backside or least likely used side to stop the light and stop the “see throughs”. Thats kinda how a Double Bull works.

    Joel Nelson
    Moderator
    Southeast MN
    Posts: 3137
    #47493

    Quote:


    The outside of the blind has long leafs that act as darkening agent when there is wind and it does do a nice job keeping light out when there is no wind. The bottom of the blind up to about your knees when sitting down is black, then the windows, then black again.


    Black isn’t only used to keep light low, it’s also used to allow you to blend into your surroundings when wearing black clothing. When you move, and you’re directly between two openings that allow any light, those birds can see you in there. However, when your background is black, and you’re wearing black clothing moving around, black on black is difficult for them to see.

    If you are going to do it yourself, I’d choose a side of the inside of the blind to completely darken with black fabric, and consider that side the rear of your blind. Put that side up against a treeline or whatever. It costs you your ability to set it up in the middle of a field and cover all angles, but it’s the only way you’ll be mostly hidden in there.

    Joel

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