Buy Ameristep Doghouse BlindAmeristep Doghouse Blind Product Description:
- Ideal for firearm and bow hunting
- Portable and compact concealment
- America's Most Popular Ground Blind
- Backpack carrying case included
- Measures 60 inches square and 68 inches tall; weighs 14 pounds
Product Description
Spring Steel Hunting Blind
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful.
By James C. Kelley
I use a blind for wildlife photography and have owned an Ameristep Doghouse blind for a few months. I just bought a Brickhouse blind and am very pleased with it too. While the Brickhouse and the Doghouse have about the same footprint there are some important differences that make the Brickhouse sell for about twice the price of the Doghouse. Rather than rehash the great reviews already provided on both models (thanks to all the reviewers who help me buy smart), I will address the differences between the two models from first hand experience.1.) Material - the Brickhouse material seems to be a little heavier nylon and the interior blackout material has none of the tiny pinholes the Doghouse has. This doesn't matter to me as the exterior camo material on both is weather worthy. (I sprayed them both with waterproof silicon spray just for insurance). BTW, the occasional pinholes on the blackout interior on the cheaper Doghouse make no real difference in functionality to my mind. The Brickhouse zippers are more rugged than the Doghouse. I suspect that the cheaper Doghouse will have zipper issues sooner or later.2.) Size - they both take about the same space on the ground to set up, however the Doghouse walls slant IN and the Brickhouse walls slant OUT. This makes for a much roomier interior in the Brickhouse. At it's widest point, the middle of the Brickhouse walls are over six feet across from side to side. Two big guys in the Doghouse would be quite crowded. However, the Brickhouse can accommodate two men and gear/guns/tripods/camera with room to spare. In a nutshell the Brickhouse is really more round with eight sides that make it look something like an exotic spacepod. The cheaper Doghouse blind is much like a small, square two man dome tent in shape and roominess.3.) Velcro - yep, it is loud! The Brickhouse has the velcro mounted screens on the OUTSIDE with multiple elastic window ties on the INSIDE. One can open and close any window silently and you never have to mess with the screens in order to open and close portholes. Not so with the cheaper Doghouse which has zippered windows with velcro fastened screens on the INSIDE. The Brickhouse is clearly better in this department due to it's silent window adjustments.4.) Visibility and Shooting ports - depending on your preference, the Doghouse windows can go from a nearly 360 degree view down to tiny screened peepholes. The Brickhouse provides the same or even more 360 visibility with all windows open and has round 4" ports built into the screens on all four sides. These ports provide just enough room for a gun and scope or a camera to peek out into the woods from a sitting position.5.) The carry pack - The Doghouse pack is roundish, about 24" in diameter and is quite light to carry. The Brickhouse pack is nearly four feet long and weighs a good bit more.6.) Ground stake loops - The Brickhouse has three stake loops per side, the Doghouse only two per side. Both have tie down loops and brush holder7.) Set up and take down - Once you get used to the procedure, both units pop up and tear down quickly. However, the cheaper Doghouse requires installing two fiberglass rods across the roof while the Brickhouse support is all integral to the construction. One rod on my Doghouse is failing and will need replaced sometime soon. However, the spring steel supports in the Doghouse are sewn into the fabric. If they eventually rip through the fabric the blind is probably ruined. On the other hand it appears that the Brickhouse allows for relatively easy replacement of any support rod - if/when needed.8.) Headroom - I am about 5'11" and I can just about stand up completely in the Brickhouse, in the Doghouse you must stoop while standing or moving around. Both blinds are really for sitting or kneeling. If you wish to shoot firearm or bow standing up in your blind you might not be pleased with either of these models.9.) The Brickhouse advertises scent control fabric, the Doghouse makes no such claim. Both blinds smell the same to me and my wife assures me that she cannot smell me when I am inside either blind. Seriously, the best scent control is to set up downwind of your target anyhow so I don't know how important that fabric treatment is. I am sure some would disagree but these are the very same guys that take pills so they don't smell - er, um, human.In conclusion, they both do the job as advertised and they are both inexpensive enough for me to take a chance and leave them set up in the woods. Frankly, I like them both and I have favorite uses and locations for each blind. I have been out in the Doghouse in 30 mph winds and heavy rain showers and I remained dry and warm. However, I doubt that I would buy another cheaper Doghouse only because the window operations are noisy as compared to the quiet Brickhouse window operation. I have found that silent windows is a big consideration. Whatever brand or model you might buy, I hope you enjoy your time in the out of doors!
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful.
By pamela
This is a good blind for the price. It is better for one person than for two, but could work for two. Setup is easy, takedown is a little more challenging.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful.
By RHB
I picked up deer hunting again after a 30-year hiatus; I've hunted from this blind and from a variety of tree stands. I have yet to kill a deer from anything but this blind. Set it up about 2-3 months before the season starts and take it down at the end of the season. Great for cold or damp weather hunting. It is tight for 2 grown folks but works fine with only one weapon. Negatives - Velcro is very noisy. It has side windows with mosquito netting to cover the windows. The netting attaches using velcro; you have to either not use the netting or remove it prior to hunting on the day of the hunt. Once you learn how to fold and unfold the blind (difficult to understand at first), it's the easiest setup and take-down process ever. Make sure to stake it down and tie it down so that it doesn't blow away. I'm about to buy 1 or 2 more.
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