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Hi,
I already own a bag hide, but I would also like to have a hide which is more tent-line, so as to give me a little more space and maneuverability.
Weigh and size is very important.
I was looking at Wildlife Watching Supplies ultralight mini dome hide, but those 60pix wide pictures on their website don't tell much.
Any of you have experience with this product or a similar one?
Thanks
Alex,
While I've had great success on hides that are left in place for weeks at the time, I am not a huge fan of portable hides/blinds. I've spent too much money on several models and, while all performed to my expectations, I've noticed no difference in the ability to get close to wildlife using them as opposed to wearing dark clothing and sitting/standing quietly against a bush/tree/rock. A blind appearing without suitable wildlife acclimation time distrubs even small birds. Big thing, in my anecdotal opinion is to sit vs. stand, move slow & quiet and have your outline broken. I do have a sheet of burlap camoflage that I attached Velcrove strips that attaches to all three legs and the head of my tripod that I use when standing is necessary. My advice is to save your money.
Well, with bag hide I have amazing succes at small birds, but it is a bit uncomfortable for longer periods (cannot drink, eat, stretch, etc ) ;).
For example, without bag hide, just sitting tight peacefully in proper clothing, birds don't get close even at 15m (such is the hunting legacy here in Europe) - with bag hide they are running around me at 1-3m distance in matter of minutes so I can almost reach them :-).
Maybe I need to take lessons on hide use. I'd appreciate an email on your satisfaction with the hide eventually recommended. Maybe I need to buy one more.
For most of my warbler/thrush/forest dwelling bird photos, a blind is a must as my longest lens is a "short" 400mms. Without a hide, even with the use of audio, the warblers do not come in close enough without warranting a substantial crop, which I try to avoid. With a blind they come in readily 6-8 feet away. Same for some sparrows, vireos, and various other small perching birds.
I like the Ameristep "Outhouse" pop-up blind. It is comfortable enough to sit in on a stool, and have a small table, or second stool, to put drinks and food on (beers and chips!!), and keep the rest of my gear with me inside. It is also high enough that if I need to stand to stretch I can do so without bending over (I'm 6' tall). You can fit two sitting people shoulder-to-shoulder, but it is best used for a single person. Very light, easy to install, and put away.
P.S. Ameristep also has the "Doghouse Blind", which is the same in principle, but lower and occupies a larger ground area (more sitting room inside).
Hi Alex when I hunted and guided people I used a ameristep chair blind and now that I just shoot photos I have found the same blind works awesome. Also your low which helps on camera shot along with you do not stick out as much. You can sit for long periods of time and I use a 600 mm lens. The only thing also is to get a ghillie gun rag for your lens sticks out the tent. I have my lens camo but found the rag does not bother the animals as much. Here is a link to tent http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001PR1WVS.
Also a ghillie suit works awesome but your in the weather with that. Both will get you close. here is a link to a ghillie suit http://www.allpredatorcalls.com/ghillie.htm
I use "The Choise" chair blind by Ameristep for one person. Light, pop-up comfortable. No room for stretching. Will accommodate tripod with a little juggling. Excellent results will allow a little breeze to come in. Comes with a shoulder bag for carrying.
Rob.................
This thing looks like a good Halloween costume.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dennis "Curly" Buchner
I have four types of blinds that I use and find indispensable for skittish birds and mammals: a bag blind (the invisiblind), a one-man chair blind, an Ameristep Doghouse blind and an Ameristep Outhouse Blind. I believe in using the smallest, lowest profile blind that I can for any given situation. I only use the Outhouse Blind (whick is quite tall) when I need to shoot from a standing perspective (such as a nest cavity in a tree). I generally use either the chairblind or the doghouse blind. The chair blind is smaller, but, since the chair is the frame for the blind, it doesn't work as well on non-level ground or in mud (the legs sink unevenly). It is also almost impossible to shift your position once in the blind (for example, if you find that you'd have a better background if you moved a couple of feet to one side). I'd say the best general all-purpose blind is the Doghouse and if I could keep only one, this would be it. I use the bag blind fairly often, but find it uncomfortable in hot weather because the cloth is right against you (no air circulation). It also doesn't hide movements well enough in some cases. I photographed a belted kingfisher nest this past summer with a bag blind because my position was on a steep slope. The kingfisher would land on a perch by the nest but would be frightened away due to the simple downward movement of my head less than six inches from the mesh screen to the camera viewfinder. I was only able to get photos when I used a couple of sticks to form a frame and keep the bag blind supported above my head.
While I prefer not use a blind and rely on camo and natural cover,these blinds work quite well. for the times when you don't have good cover.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...014&hasJS=true
They are pretty water resistant (seal the seams and they would probably qualify as waterproof) and have ample room for a tripod and long lens. They allow pretty good ventilation and they don't seem to spook birds or other critters. It is a 'clamshell" type design and setup /takedown is quick. At 12 pounds, it isn't overly heavy and you can carry it in backpack mode or on the shoulder. One photographer friend who tries to shoot before going to work has even worn a suit while using one-- go figure :cool:
The built in drink holder is a bonus for coffee drinkers setting up in the pre dawn :D
Find me in the photo and see how good a Ghillies Sniper Suit is, totally vented and weighs about 8 ounces
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...860800x600.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...907800x600.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...860800x600.jpg
Alex,
I use two blinds the Ameristep chair blind and the doghouse blind. I have found the chair blind to be a bit heavy to carry very far. The lens opening is also too far away and awkward to use as it is truly meant to be used with a firearm for hunting. It is usable however and I have gotten really close to birds that I wouldn't otherwise have been able to get close to.It also is relatively easy to set up and take down. The doghouse blind allows me more freedom of movement than the chair blind. It is really easy to set up. it does give some people trouble in mastering the twisting motion needed to put it away. The only problem i have had with it is that it a bit big and some birds won't come near it when it has been recently set up.
I have made numerous blinds over the years. I'm still in the process of redesigning my latest chair blind and trying to find a new manufacturer as my latest one backed out.
Good luck and God bless,
chris
Quote:
Originally Posted by Christopher C.M. Cooke
nice Halloween costume!
Alex,
I have one of the hides about which you asked from Wildlife Watching Supplies.
The good points: -
(i) it is light and compact to carry;
(ii) it isfairly easy to set up on your own, so long as there is no strong wind;
(iii) the material is thin enough that you can see what is happening outside without opening one of the windows.
The not so good points: -
(i) it is a pain to put up when it is windy;
(ii) it is very cramped inside;
(iii) some of the windows are too small to poke a 600 mm F4 lens out of them;
(iv) there is no ground level window - you end up using the bottom end of the entrance slit for very low work.
I find that it is too small to use even a very small seat inside, so end up sitting cross legged on the ground. This is not very comfortable for long periods. I also have the bag hide from the same source, and find that it is just about as versatile.
Peter
