Wind Protection for Ground Force & Power Hunter

[CamoHunter870]

I thought I would share what I just completed on the Ground Force and have done in the past on the Power Hunter.

As waterfowlers know, the wind can be darn cold and I wanted protection from it so I fixed up the Power Hunter a few years back and then bought the Ground Force thinking it would offer more wind protection. It did but not from behind you so I created a wind block.

The mesh lets wind right through hitting your body and head.
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/8986/dsc3866no6.jpg (http://img299.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc3866no6.jpg)

Using an Avery layout mat, I cut out the shape to fit over those mesh flaps and then used velcro on the blind mesh flaps on the outside and then on the layout mat material.
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/62/dsc3867lm8.jpg (http://img299.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc3867lm8.jpg)

( I do the same thing on the Power Hunter by covering up the mesh window right behind your head using the Avery mat and velcro )

Here's a view with them installed blocking the wind.
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/193/dsc3868no5.jpg (http://img299.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc3868no5.jpg)

But when using a snow cover, you can't use these flaps so I had to make something else.

I took some light conduit similiar in size to the pipe used for the blind and bend it in a U shaped and can attach it by undoing the screw for the left door brace. I tried to bend it as straight as possible but it was alittle tough so I couldn't get it perfect like I had hoped.
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/8559/dsc3869uc5.jpg (http://img299.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc3869uc5.jpg)

I then used the Avery mat material again and ziptied it to the pipe and velcrod it to the blind as well.
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/7007/dsc3870nt0.jpg (http://img299.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc3870nt0.jpg)

Heres a view from inside the blind
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/8692/dsc3871gi4.jpg (http://img299.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc3871gi4.jpg)

Haven't been able to test it out but I assume it will work just like the Power Hunters
that I did a few years back. Of course, it doesn't allow you to look behind you, but
it makes the blind so much warmer allowing you to stay out longer if the birds aren't flying when expected. Nothing I hate worse then a cold head after hunting in -20 + windchills with the G.F. even after trying to move as far down in the blind as I could, that wind was cold.

I am going to try to figure out away to attach it without messing with the screw but if I can't it only takes a couple seconds. I just use hot glue gun to attach the velcro and it stays alright but if possible, sewing the velcro on would be better.

If your bored this off season, do this to your blinds and you won't regret it :)

[Drake]

That is an awesome idea!
There is nothing more annoying than having a cold wind blow down the back of your layout.I will look at making an addition like that on mine.
Great post!

[duck slayer12]

Thats awsome!

[Kevin Kriha]

Thanks for the tip. Sounds like a simple solution to a common annoyance.

[Travis Mueller]

great tip thank you.

[scott w]

good idea but...it kinda defeats the pourpose of having a window to see behind you when birds are working...if you are just a shooter in the field then it's not a problem but if your calling and your the guy who is calling the shot then you kinda need that window. just my opinion though...

[CamoHunter870]

Scott
Yeah that is true but atleast on the P.H. each "window mesh" behind your head has its own wind blocker so I can unvelcro it to look if needed.
I would rather be warmer on those long hunts then not having the ability to look behind me even if I am calling the shot.

[David Harper]

Thats a good idea, thank you for sharing that. Might have to look into something like that for my blinds.