How to Make a Box Blind Comfortable

Box blinds can be a very useful tool when hunting for deer and other big game, just as a tree stand or ground blind can be. Hunting box blinds do have some added advantages, though. Some comforts can be had in box deer hunting blinds to make hunts last longer and end in more success. The key is finding ways to make your box blind more comfortable overall.

First, address structural upgrades that help with warmth and noise. Then, prepare for those long sitting sessions with a comfy chair and organizing equipment. Finally, don’t overlook the creature comforts that may seem a bit luxurious but help keep you in the stand longer. Make your box blind to fit your needs.

Some of these small projects will take some time and some trial and error to see if they fit your needs. Your needs and wants may continue to change and evolve as time goes on. Keep in mind that anything that helps keep you in the stand longer is beneficial, as long as it doesn’t have a negative side effect like noise or scent. From there, the sky could be the limit.

Structural Upgrades

Whether you built your own box blind or purchased a pre-made one, there might be some structural things that could make the function of your box blind even better. These range from very simple to a bit more complex. With a little research and some handy work, you can really increase the comfort of your box blind.

If you are working on a box blind you built from the ground up, you will have a little more wiggle room to make upgrades than you might with a store-bought box blind. In either case, be sure not to ruin the integrity of the blind, especially its shell.

Carpet

One of the easiest upgrades that you should be able to make to your box blind is adding some carpet to the flooring. This could be any type of carpet, perhaps a cheap scrap of carpet left over from a project or a piece of indoor/outdoor carpet from the local hardware store. This carpet can do several things to increase your comfort.

First and foremost, the carpet will help keep the noise of your feet on the floor of your box blind quieter. On long hunts, you will be able to move around in your blind with a bit more silence than you would on the solid floor of a box blind. Being able to move your feet around without having to be super tense or stealthy will make long sits all the more enjoyable.

Carpet can also add a small layer of insulation to your blind to help keep the unwanted cold from entering and precious heat from escaping the blind. Carpet will also help keep the floor and inside of your blind clean. If you track mud in, you won’t have to worry about slipping and falling or grinding mud into the structural floor of the box blind. The carpet can also be easily replaced from year to year if needed.’

Insulation and Heat

If you built your own box blind, insulating it should be pretty easy to do. Check the insulation if you bought a manufactured one and hunt in colder weather. Many store-bought blinds will come with insulation. If that’s the case, you should be all set. If you are building your own box blind, insulating it will give you several benefits.

Insulating the walls, ceiling, and even the floor can help conserve the heat inside the box blind and keep cold temperatures and unwanted drafts from entering. Not only will this help keep the warmth in and the cold out, but minimizing drafts going through the box blind will help cut down on any scent being blown from your direction. This will allow you to hunt your favorite stand when the wind isn’t always the most favorable.

The added insulation will also help as a noise reducer. Along with the carpet on the floor, you can keep yourself nice and comfortable by being able to move around freely without giving away your location.

Finally, add a small propane heater to make those late winter hunts bearable without freezing your fingers and toes off. Mr. Heater makes a wide variety of sizes of personal heaters that work great and are safe to use inside a box blind. The Little Buddy from Mr. Heater runs off of a one-pound camping propane tank that can easily be taken in and out with you.

Photo credit https://www.homedepot.com

Enduring the Long Wait

When out hunting, we never know when our target animal is going to come our way. In the thick of things and depending on how frequently you get to hunt, you could be looking at some long, all-day sits. Hunting box blinds are great for these because you can add amenities to them that treestands just don’t allow to make that all-day sit more comfortable.

Comfortable Chair

Nothing will make a long day in a box blind better than having a comfy chair to sit in. Now, we aren’t suggesting you haul a Lazy Boy out there and sleep the whole time. That’s a great way to miss the deer you’re looking for. Pick something comfortable enough to sit in for hours at a time without getting sore or your legs going numb.

Depending on the size of your box blind and the number of people hunting inside of it, a chair that has arms and swivels can come in handy. This will allow you to be comfortable and move easily if you need to take a shot from different windows in the box blind. Make sure that you get a chair made specifically for hunting, as most of them are made to have quiet features that won’t give you away in the field.

Equipment Holders

Let’s face it, all hunters have their favorite pack, full of equipment they like to have in the field with them. Sometimes, we don’t always need that stuff, but we bring it along anyway. The nice thing about having the box blind will is the ability to have quick, easy access to all of your equipment. What can help is having strategic equipment holders, hooks, and hangers that allow you to keep them within easy reach.

Some things that you could add for this might be hooks to hang your pack on, small shelves for your rangefinder and calls, a bow hanger if you use a bow or even a gun rest for your rifle or shotgun. A cup holder or two might come in handy as well to hold whatever drink of choice you take to the field with you. Each hunter will have different wants and needs. Feel it out and add what you need over time as you come to need or want it.

Rifle or Shotgun Aids

For those of you who are gun hunters, having a gun rest or something similar to a gun sled in your box blind might come in handy to help you make better shots. You could even get a sling that hangs from the ceiling to rest your gun in. A small rail and rest installed under the windows with movable positions could really be handy.

Many store-bought box blinds are coming with these accessory rails already installed and a gun stabilizer that allows for steady shots. There’s nothing better than having confidence in the shot you made, thanks to being more stable.

Creature Comforts

Don’t overlook the little things when it comes to comfort in your box blind. Yes, some of them might seem petty, but we all have our vices. Keeping yourself entertained and in the stand can be an uphill battle sometimes for various reasons. So don’t skimp on the creature comforts if you have the ability to make them happen.

If you like to film your hunts or periodically scroll through social media, perhaps mounting a phone or camera holder is a good choice to stay more hands-free. Stock up on snacks and drinks to keep you hydrated and energized. Just try to stay away from noisy wrappers and keep the smells down as much as possible.

Finally, don’t overlook your necessity of using the facilities. It will happen. Have a plan or get creative on how to use the bathroom without making much noise and without having to exit and re-enter the box blind each time you need to go to the bathroom. Especially if you built your own box blind, the possibilities are there.

What Fits You?

Every hunter will be a bit different. These aren’t musts, but if you have worked hard on your box blind, enjoy it as much as possible. The more comfortable you are, the longer you will stay in the field, and your chances of filling your tag become much higher. So, go get comfortable!