I'm new here, but have frequented your site for some time in search of ideas for a tower blind. Here's our finished project for your viewing. Needed to serve as both a hunting blind and grand kids playhouse/cabin....meaning it had to sleep six grand kids for overnight camp outs. Want to thank you for the innovative ideas and pics we found on this site.

Our family has been contemplating a blind build for years, collecting and scrounging materials along the way. Power company recently replaced utility poles in our area, they were kind enough to let us have 20. Stairs came from a seed corn production plant doing renovations. Rubber roofing and steel pipe were left over from other projects.

Utility poles started out over 30' long, were augured in place with a 8'X12' foot print. Size of the tower blind would be 8'x12' with 8' high walls. Selected this size because of standard lumber dimensions....roof and flooring would take (3) 4'x8' sheets with no scraps left over. It also lends its self well to standard 16" stud walls and floor joists.

Windows had to be glass that could be quietly opened and low maintenance.....PVC basement casement windows met the need. Although they cost (about $65 each), a little more than home built units, the added expense proved well worth it. Door is steel with a digital entry key pad. This allows secure storage of decoys and gear with blind access available only to family members.

Walls were prefabricated, built, and painted in the garage then transported to the build site. Camo paint scheme was to copy existing surrounding trees in the fall and winter. Each wall had a removable eye bolt in the center that permitted lifting with an ATV winch to the tower platform. The 5' deck was somewhat of an afterthought...and seemed to fit right in.

Amenities inside include folding table, heater, snow shovel, broom, 3/4" thick rubber livestock mats for the floor, TP, Paper towel holder, garbage bags, and hammock.

Enjoy....

Yep, you win. That's nice. Who set the telephone poles?

Wow!

That's nice! I'd sure place corner poles on the deck just to be safe though.

Poles were set by chaining them to a bucket loader/tractor.

Very nice. Snow shovel?

With the 2x4 walls you could go ahead and insulate and sheetrock. What about solar panels? Actually, it is pretty awesome as is!

Snow shovel is pretty much a necessity in Iowa.

Wanted the poles to fit in the corners of the blind for wall reinforcement and support. Deck was an after thought once the poles were in place. Specs on cantilevered decks recommend 2"x8"'s can go as far as four feet before support bracing is needed. Since we went 5' the supports were added for good measure.

Solar panel might be in the future for minimal electrical needs like LED lights or a fan.

No plans for insulation or sheet rock at this time...we'll let it go for a year and see if that changes.

Man that is a sweet build. You did a great job on that. Show us some pics from out the windows if you don't mind.

Walter

Blind is located with crops (corn & beans) on one side and CRP on the other three sides. A small creek runs directly below the deck. Deer don't seem to be affected by it's presence....note doe at the base of the stairs. Here's a few pics.

That is one friggin awesome deer blind!

WOW. that is one awesome blind

Nice set up. I would definitely look at installing solar panels, insulate the walls and add carpet.

The real test is today.....temps in the 20's, snow and ice. Looking forward to a pleasant hunting experience sitting in a heated wind protected enclosure sipping on hot coffee. Should have built this years ago.

no doubt!!

I'm lost for words.

That the best blind/cabin I've ever seen for sure.

nice work!!!

How long is that ladder????

Great blind!!

Awesome set up!

I put one of these in my blind, might go good in yours too.

http://www.huntingproductservices.com/