Pop up Deer blinds on the ice

[RiverRanger]

Over this past weekend on the Saginaw River I could not help notice that there were some people using there pop up beer blinds for shelter on the ice, I thought that was a good idea since the mice ripped my Ice shelter apart, duct tape is holding it together but don't know how long that is going to last.

My question for those of you that use these pop up shelters is, how the heck do you keep them from blowing away. Now in the woods I just stake it down and use the tie downs that came with the blind but on the ice what? The other question is, now the ice is your floor what do you do to keep your feet warm, that is why I like my Shappell because it has a floor that keeps my feet off the ice.

[fishergirltc]

I was wondering the same thing. I saw about 3 of them on the ice this weekend. I don't have a shanty but have a pop-up blind. Should be able to find something like the shanty has to keep it from blowing across the ice. I don't know what you would do about a floor though.

[brdhntr]

I've used mine a lot in the past. The newer hub style blinds work a lot better than the old Ameristep wireframe, but even those work.

For anchors, there are lots of options. There are a few sold in stores (t handles screw in type, and some contraption you use your auger for). I used my spud to cut a vshape notch int he ice and use the regular stakes set into the notch. the method Jpollman came up with using 1/2" conduit works even better.

For staying warm on the ice, I just never had a problem with my Sorels.


Having said that, I bought a Shappel DX3000 at Meijers on clearance a couple weeks ago. Much better overall, although my blind had a bit more room. Big problem I had was my 3 year old playing in the water that always forms on the ice and then getting cold on the way out. Much better with the Shappel, now.

[outdoorsman4]

The easiest way to anchor a pop-up blind to the ice is with a hammer and large steel nails. The nails I use are 6" long/.25" dia. shaft/smooth galvinized. It is important to drive each nail into the ice at a slight angle. At first the nail will fracture the ice surface, but just keep pounding until it gets solid. I can anchor my doghouse blind in probably 1-2 minutes using this method. Surprisingly, removal is even easier. Simply take the hammer and strike the nail once or twice to loosen, then pull it out with the claw side of the hammer. Carry a small plastic shovel to push some snow around the bottom sides to block off wind. I do run a heater on cold days, but the floor(ice) will never be warm. What it lacks in comfort and mobility, it makes up for in price ($59) and portability.

[buckmaster89]

i used mine last weekend for smelt and it work good but i did not have it staked after awile the wind pick up and it move around a lot

[sea nympho]

I used my pop-up blind a few timed before i bought my shappell 3000, and I used ice shelter anchors made by shappell, they are t-handle screws, come in a two-pack, and they work well.

[shawnfire]

for a floor use a pc of carpet or rubber just to put your feet on thats what i do on my flip style plus run a heater and your fine

[myers0729]

just take along the cordless drill and 4 three inch wood screws and drill them into the nylon stake holders and the blind will go nowhere. the holes into the nylon will not hurt it either.

[FreebirdII]

I saw them too on the saginaw river in bay city. The ones I saw looked like three or four blinds all together as one shelter. Never tried it, but it works.

[KS up north]

I take along a piece of plywood cut to fit in the bottom of my jet sled JR. Once at my spot just lay it down and put your feet on it.

[predator_caller]

I used mine for a couple years, and had great luck anchoring it. Very fast ans easy. Cordless drill and a long drill bit just a bit bigger in diameter than the stakes that came with the blind. Drill your hole where the grommit is on a slightly out-tipped angle and slide in anchor pin. No screws, nails; nothing. works great. setup and down in less than 2 minutes.

[Duck-Hunter]

I just take a drill out. screw it to the ice and your good to go. make sure you get screws with big threads.

[hoytshooter4]

I used to use my portable hunting blind before it gone all bent up in a wind storm. My dad and I just made a wooden floor that folded in half for travel and then fit around the base with 2 holes in it to fish through. Worked really well!

[DonP]

I have a buddy who uses a 6-8 person tent for smeltin'. When smeltin'... you want an open floor to get the light from the lanterns down into the water. He uses large washers on 8-10 inch lag bolts and then uses a cordless drill to anchor the tent into the ice. It does hold up pretty good too. He will not go out in real windy conditions... but has been out there when fairly breezy and it works just fine.

I think the lag bolts with a cordless drill would be an option for a pop-up blind should one decide to go that way. When using a tent or pop-up blind with an open floor... like shawnfire says... just take along a piece of carpet or a rubber mat with. An old "welcome" mat would work great too!!