Pop-up deer blind as shanty??

[luv2havemoartime]

Want to try and get more into ice fishing this year and don't want to spend much cash to get started. ANy issues with using an AMeristep pop-up for as a shanty. Actaully surprised I don't see more of this (deer blind as a shanty) so maybe I'm not thinking of something???

[Duck-Hunter]

if there is any wind out there and you pop it up its like a sail.

[NBman]

I have never used one but i have seen plenty of people using them the last couple of times i have been out

[Lwapo]

I used the Ameristep "Doghouse" for 2 years. Worked really well, but wind WAS a problem

I took out a cordless drill and drilled holes into the ice for tent stakes. I had to drill them at a 45 degree angle so that they wouldn't pull out, but it worked good. It also helped to set something (I used milk crates with some gear in them) on top of the windward side stakes to help keep them down.

That aside, it worked great. Make sure that you wear boots with rubber up to the heel or so if you're using a heater as your feet will be right on the ice.

Hope that helps!

[fasthunter]

I used one last weekend. I don't have the extra money for a shanty either, but it worked fine. Just make sure you have a way of securing it the ice that's all.;)

[myers0729]

just take and put zip ties on all four corners and take along a drill and three inch wood screws and your all set. the blind will not move from the ice. my brother has been doing this for the week on the river instead of taking the shanty out and it has worked perfect.

[InTheRiver]

my buddy uses one it has a zipper bottem in it and he just put a coupke bricks in the corners, but he has had to chase it down a couple times LOL makes it more FUN.

[huntfishlive]

To keep your feet warm in one of thous pop-up blinds get yourself a piece of foam rubber (1/2" foam coated with rubber) to rest your feet on. I do this when out hunting and have a piece for my shanty (with a floor), just have your feet on something beside ice helps. I don't remember were I got it, sorry. I would bet a knee cushion (for gardening) would work the same. Check Lowe's or Maynard's.

[sea nympho]

I did this last night for the first time. I used ice anchor screws and it held up fine. It does blow around a bit, I pushed snow up around the base edges to keep out wind.

[Kid-in-the-Ranger]

Want to try and get more into ice fishing this year and don't want to spend much cash to get started. ANy issues with using an AMeristep pop-up for as a shanty. Actaully surprised I don't see more of this (deer blind as a shanty) so maybe I'm not thinking of something???


I prefer doing this in reverse. I bought a windblock ice shanty and use it for deer hunting.

[luv2havemoartime]

I prefer doing this in reverse. I bought a windblock ice shanty and use it for deer hunting.

Now that's not a bad idea seeing since I bought my pop-up at a garage sale for $20...

[brdhntr]

You will find that the hub style blinds work much better in the wind. Lots of good anchoring ideas (some I'm going to have to try). Mine has lines from each wall, I chip a shallow v shaped hole and undercut the sides a bit. Then I attach my ground stakes and slide them in parallel to the ice surface. Worked great in 15+ mph winds. Problem is it gets tiring if you have to move around.