Weight is a very important factor to take into account when choosing a hunting blind, and it largely depends on how you plan to hunt.  If you’re the type of hunter who prefers to stake out a spot, set up shop and stay mostly in that area for the day, then a doghouse style or similar enclosed blind is probably the one you’ll choose.  

These ones are made to house one or more people plus gear, be waterproof, and comfortable for an extended period of time.  They also need to be sturdy enough to stand up to whatever is thrown at them.  That’s all well and good, and they generally do a great job of this, but those needs will inherently require stronger parts, and more of them, and that will add unavoidable weight.

If, however, you like to be mobile during your hunt, taking the action to your quarry, so to speak, then a much more minimalist approach is your best option.  This comes in the form of a stakeout ground blind. These aren’t tents.  They aren’t much to speak of at all really, consisting of a long and wide sheet of camouflage material and some poles and stakes to pop into the ground.  They are meant to act as a barrier between you and the target temporarily, and then pulled up put away until needed again.  As such, their weight is essentially negligible.

Regardless of the type of blind suits you best, even the heaviest options are only going to weigh nine pounds or so, which isn’t a lot, unless you’re already hauling around a bunch of gear, and, if lucky, your prize.  So it all depends on how many people are in your party, how much stuff you’re all carrying, and how far you need to go.

I’ve mentioned weatherproofing a lot during this guide, and it makes sense. The biggest element you are going to encounter on your hunt is, well, the elements. A lot of hunting is done from the fall to the spring, and that’s when the most extreme weather conditions tend to occur. From rain- and snowstorms, to gale force winds and biting snow, blinds need to be able to hold up to the worst.

Not all blinds need to be resistant to everything. Most are only protected against one or two forces. This will depend on where you want to hunt.

How the blind gets its weatherproofing is usually determined by the type of material that makes up the shell. Polyurethane is the go-to choice when it comes to waterproofing a blind. The shell itself will be made of nylon or polyester, which are water-resistant, to begin with, and then a coating of polyurethane is applied to the outer surface, effectively sealing it.

Another reason that nylon or polyester are used for the shell brings us to our next element: wind. The fabrics are also naturally wind resistant. In terms of how wind resistant each fabric is, both have their strengths. Nylon has much more resistance, bordering on being virtually windproof, and a bonus to this is the more wind resistant material is, then the more inhibiting it is.

While it sounds like nylon is the hands-down winner, consider this: Polyester, while offering less resistance, is actually much more breathable, and won’t promote sweating. Nylon will cause sweating, and will actually trap that moisture in, which will, in turn, bring the temperatures down to uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous levels.

A good blind is nothing if it’s not durable. What’s the use of having one that doesn’t hold up to the elements for more than a season? Fortunately, hunting blinds are being made with strong, versatile materials meant to last.

Aside from having good weather resistance, the nylon and polyester are used to create the shell of the blind are also tear-resistant. They are both lightweight and durable synthetic fabrics that won’t shrink or stretch and are very easy to care for, usually needing nothing more than a wipe down with a damp cloth.

Nylon is softer and stronger, while polyester is faster drying, which is why manufacturers often go with a blend of both in order to maximize their strengths. Because of all these attributes, whether your blind is used every weekend, or spends months packed away waiting for the new season to begin, these high-quality fabrics will keep it in fighting shape.

Now onto the frame. This is what is going to help the blind keep its shape and integrity, so strong and hardy materials are critical. The one most often used here is fiberglass, which nicely balances bring super strong with also being lightweight. Another bonus of fiberglass is it won’t rust after so much exposure to the great outdoors.

The other widely used component is stainless steel. This is a good choice thanks to its superior strength and rigidity, meaning it’s going to hold up to more abuse before giving out. Unfortunately, it’s going to be heavier, and it is less flexible, making it just a bit more inconvenient, though no less useful for the frame.

Ultimately, blind makers decided to incorporate both metal and fiberglass into their frames, thereby utilizing the individual strengths, much like nylon and polyester for the shell, into an incredibly strong and resilient frame.

This is very self-explanatory. It’s up to you how many hunters you’ll need your blind to hold, and every maker will have a wealth of options in all sizes. The trick when choosing the right blind comes down to what else it can hold.

Being able to hold four people is one thing, but how comfortable can it do that? Can you hold these people and all your gear? Can you bow hunt from within the blind? The ideal setting will be large enough to yourself and a couple of buddies with gear. It will be tall enough to allow you to stand to shoot, which is huge, because it increases your shot options, and maximizes your kill zone. Lastly, the perfect one is spacious enough (usually achieved by different shape configurations) to let you draw back a bow for the ultimate in silent hunting.

With so many options, it all comes down to the needs of the hunting party.

All hunting blinds are going to incorporate a form of camouflage into their design, that’s just fact. It’s how they allow you to get the drop on your trophy of choice. They are not all going to be equally effective, however, especially in different situations and environments.

There are camo patterns made for virtually every imaginable scenario. From night hunting in deep woods too early morning deer hunting in a hidden clearing, the chances are pretty good that you’ll be able to find a blind to suit your needs. The problem then becomes finding one single blind with just the right pattern to be used effectively in multiple hunts. That’s why more companies are working toward a more generalized design so that if you can’t blend into your surroundings every time, at least you won’t stand apart from them.

Regardless of which option you chose, the general consensus is that camo is camo. At the end of the day, the best camo is going to be what you make yourself. This means during setup, try to incorporate your surrounds onto your blind. Cover the opening with long grass, for example. The more you conceal your intentions, the better the hunt will be.

Along with making sure your blind blends into your surroundings, you need to remember to mask your scent. You're only so camouflaged by sight. If the animal can smell you down or upwind, then you might as well be out in the open. Make the ground blind work for you so that you're not wasting your time and energy.

Another mode of making your ground blind effective is making sure that you don't pigeonhole yourself by setting it up in one spot that has limited visibility. Limiting your visibility to take the shot can harm your performance. By only giving yourself a one channel shot, you may miss the deer by the time you notice it.

Choose a great location for your ground blind. One effective place could be in a feeding area. Scout out to see if does are coming around that area often to feed. Chances are that that will attract the big buck that you are after. You can scout out a great placement by using trail cameras to get an idea of activity in the area you are looking to set up.