How to Construct an Inexpensive Burlap Blind

Copyright © 2011 by: Charles D. McNeal
How to Construct an Inexpensive Burlap Blind
By: David McNeal
Saint George, Kansas
Ground blinds are handy; they allow for a free range of movement without giving
away your location and they allow for concealment without having to wear camouflage
clothing. For a beginning spring turkey hunter who perhaps is just starting out with a box
call requiring the use of his/her hands they can be essential to success. There is a large
selection of commercially made blinds from forty-five all the way to several hundred
dollars. Fortunately all you really need is a length of camouflage burlap purchased
(seasonal) from your local discount store (Wal Mart, K-Mart etc) for around ten dollars.
If on the other hand accessories are what you crave, then below you will find an
inexpensive and field tested construction of everything you need for just over twenty
dollars.
The materials:
• 1x
• 4x
• 1x
• 1x
• 1x
• 1x
TOTAL:
length of camouflage burlap 54” x 2’
45”x ¼ “ diameter wooden dowels (optional)
package of finishing nails
25’ nylon cord
can of flat black spray paint (optional)
package of 4 metal tent pegs (optional)
$10.00
1.50
.47
2.94
3.77
2.00
$20.68
NOTE: The dowels, paint, and pegs are optional because you can always cut your poles
and pegs on location. However, if you are like me, you just want to get set up and not
have to worry about cutting and trimming on site. Additionally, poles (since they will be
behind the burlap) do not have to be painted.
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Copyright © 2011 by: Charles D. McNeal
Construction:
•
Start with the four wooden dowels. With a sharp knife whittle one end of each
dowel much like you would sharpening a pencil until you have a sharp point (as
shown in fig 1).
Fig 1
•
Next take a hammer and drive a small finishing nail halfway into the opposite end
of each wooden dowels (as shown in fig 2).
Fig 2
•
Finally cut a 12 foot length of nylon cord for tying your blind (as shown in fig 3).
Fig 3
OPTIONAL: Spray paint the wooden dowels with flat black paint (if desired) and let
dry.
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Copyright © 2011 by: Charles D. McNeal
Packing for carry:
•
First fold the burlap in half (as shown in fig 4).
Fig 4
•
Next quarter the burlap (as shown in fig 5).
Fig 5
•
Then lay the burlap on the ground and place the pegs and poles in the center (as
shown in fig 6).
Fig 6
NOTE: I personally like to include a decoy or two and their stakes along with my
shooters’ stick in the blind roll as well.
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Copyright © 2011 by: Charles D. McNeal
•
Finally fold, roll, and tie both ends of the roll with a slip knot (as shown in figs 7,
8, and 9).
Fig 7
Fig 8
Fig 9
Your blind is now ready for easy carry (fig 10).
Fig 10
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Copyright © 2011 by: Charles D. McNeal
Setting up in the field:
1. Lay the roll on the ground and untie (fig 11).
Fig 11
2. Separate accessories (fig 12).
Fig 12
3. Roll and unfold the burlap all the way out front side up in front of the area
(usually in front of a large tree) you’ll be setting up (fig 13).
Fig 13
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Copyright © 2011 by: Charles D. McNeal
4. I like to start at the left corner. With one pole and one peg insert the pole in the
ground until it stands alone and place top end of burlap over nail; using one tent
peg, peg the bottom of the burlap in the ground along the length of the pole (fig
14).
Fig 14
5. Place the first of the two front poles in the ground (as shown in fig 15) and repeat
the base peg as outlined in step 4 above.
Fig 15
6. Place the second front pole in the ground (as shown in fig 16) and repeat step 4.
Fig 16
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Copyright © 2011 by: Charles D. McNeal
7. Finish with the right corner pole.
NOTE: After the initial set up the poles can be tightened, loosen or lowered simply by
moving and adjusting them (as shown in figs 17).
Fig 17
Now you can stretch your legs, move around, pick up your box /slate call or
simply enjoy a cup of your favorite beverage without giving away your position. I still
do an occasional flash hunt but whenever I have a choice I’ll always use a blind.
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