DOUBLE BULL BLIND ACTION
Product Review and Story by Jon Nystrom

Equipment includes products from the following:
North American Archery Group - Buckmasters G2 Bow
Trophy Taker - Trophy Takers Drop Down Arrow Rest
Timberline Archery Products - No Peep Sight
Beagle Outdoor Wear - Beagle Outdoor Wear
Rocket Broadheads - Steelhead 100

I got a call from Jon Rasmussen. Jon asked if I had tried hunting out of a blind yet. I said no. I didn't really think I could be as successful from a blind as I am from a treestand. After some coaxing from Jon I decided to give it a try. My double bull blind arrived a few days later. Without watching the video I took the blind out of the box in my family room. Without any instruction the blind popped up as if it needed to stand up.

I especially liked the windows with the screen mesh on them and the sky roof I call it. Those features really help on the hot days. I collapsed it just as easily and then pulled out the video and placed it in the VCR. Last spring at the Minnesota Bowhunters banquet I was talking to someone about the fact that you can shoot right through the screen mesh. I thought for sure this would affect the flight of my arrow. I watched the video and my eyes were opened to the possibilities this blind presented. Without any impact to the arrow flight the manufacturer showed over and over turkeys, bear and whitetail being harvested while shooting through the mesh.

I still wasn't satisfied so I took the blind out and did my first test. I shot one arrow with a broadhead through the mesh. At 20 yards my arrow hit right on. This is pretty neat I told myself. My uncle who is an avid turkey hunter marveled at the blind. He was setting his sights on commandeering the blind after my final test, to shoot a whitetail from the blind.

I still had concerns about sight and smell but I couldn't test that unless I was in the field. I set up the first morning on a trail that we know whitetail to use. An hour before dawn I stepped into the blind hoping a doe would come by and help with this project I had undertaken. I was disappointed that first morning that I didn't see a deer. I did however have 6 ravens on the ground 14 yards in front of me. They didn't have a clue I was there. While hunting in a treestand I have never had that happen because those birds are wary.

The next morning I woke up to some cold weather. I climbed into the blind again. This time I curled up into a ball on the ground and slept until daylight. Upon waking up at daylight I waited once again for something to come by. Still nothing but I got in a good nap!

The third day I decided to hunt during the evening. I thought for sure enough of my scent was around to make even the dumbest deer aware of my presence. Around 6:20 PM I saw a brown leg appear out of the corner of my eye. The blind has that screen mesh around most windows. There are several different sizes of windows. The windows that don't have the mesh on them have flaps you can easily cover the opening with. On the bigger windows, the one I intended on shooting from had a big curtain that hung from the top of the blind. I took one part of it and hung it so only one window was available to shoot from. I wanted some light in the blind but yet enough to keep it relatively dark. The doe stretched out her neck as if knowing something was wrong. She took several more steps and stopped perfectly in front of me. I moved my hand across the mesh to see if she would see me. She didn't and that was my second test. I reached down and picked up my bow. She was testing the air. I thought for sure she was going to bolt, she was very nervous. The wind was swirling so it was anyone's guess if she smelled me. There may not have been enough scent to send her packing. Scent, being test number three appeared to be a non-factor as well.

I was sitting on a white bucket. My plan was to lean back on the bucket and draw back behind the curtain. I pulled my Buckmasters G2 to full draw and leaned forward so I could see her again. She didn't have a clue I had drawn back and she was only 14 yards away. I am sure I could have drawn back while looking through the screen mesh without any trouble but I was at the point where I wanted some fresh venison and didn't want to take any chances.

I tried centering my 20-yard pin behind her front shoulder before I realized I couldn't see my pin. It was too dark in the blind or at least the color green I was looking for. It caught me by surprise. I was mad I hadn't thought of it before. My no-peep peep sight was working fantastic in the low light conditions. I shook off my original panic and focused on putting the now black pin behind her shoulder. In a split second my arrow was off and upon impact she dove for the closest thick brush and was gone. I listened carefully for any sounds indicating she was down. I heard the familiar sound of her kicking in the tall grass. I knew she was down.

It wasn't until after I shot and I got control of my nerves did I realize I had shot through the screen mesh. All that was evident that a broadhead had pierced the mesh was a cross signifying my fixed blade had gone through it.

I climbed out of the blind and approached the position of the doe. There was know sign of blood. I found my arrow and was amazed at the lack of blood on it. I was starting to panic thinking that mesh must have affected the arrow flight. I was sure I was right behind the front shoulder. I looked where she had entered the thick brush and came to the conclusion it was not fit for man or beast so I decided to go around it. I thought I could pick up her trail on the other side. I did not, so I decided to make a small twenty-yard circle. I didn't have to walk far. After five more yards I spotted her. I had double-lunged her. She had run 20 yards from where she stood in front of me and didn't leave a drop of blood that I could see. That is remarkable. I was glad I listened carefully to the signs she was giving me as she left my sight.

It was a remarkable hunt. I didn't have to worry about being seen or smelled. It took a little time to get used to the fact I couldn't see a long ways. I found myself peering through the closed windows because I wanted to see more out of the blind. I still recommend taking every precaution in controlling your scent and placing the blind down wind of your quarry when possible. Invest in a lighted site to help with the darkness in the blind and dress in dark clothes to help camouflage you in the blind (not that you need it).

I am giving the Double Bull blind a thumbs up. Thanks Jon, for showing me another alternative to hunting, blind hunting! You can read more about the different blinds that are available on Jon Rasmussen's web site www.huntingblind.com