Bird Hide

[Ralph]

I am so close to closing the deal on buying one of these bird hides. I will not be able to stand up full in it as I am 5 foot 10 inches but it would be very close.
I can take my camera bag into it and my seat as I think I have figured out I can fit my deck chair inside of it.
The reason I am thinking along these lines is I am getting slower and after a full days walking I take close to a week to recover.
So with one of these I might just have to move 3 or 4 times and sit and wait to see what comes along.
I know it will be okay in winter but could get overly hot inside in summer. These are thing which will come to to open when the time comes.

Do others here have one and use one and if so what are the down side to them. Thanks.

 

[Unframed Dave]

I have used pop up hides in the past for vermin shooting. I found it fairly comfortable for an hour or so with a folding chair in it. They are affected by wind quite a bit (the external variety), so a bit of shelter helps.

A flask is a good addition.

 

[Ralph]

I have used pop up hides in the past for vermin shooting. I found it fairly comfortable for an hour or so with a folding chair in it. They are affected by wind quite a bit (the external variety), so a bit of shelter helps.

A flask is a good addition.

The hide I have looked at has got pin down points on the edges and I certainly would take a flash with me with one of these.
I know there is a couble chair one but I can't find that one on ebay abut found it on youtube and that looks okay for me as one seat for me and one for my camera bag.. Thanks for your reply.

 

[Gaz]

I see a guy on YouTube using a hide on his property. It’s basically a camo tent, I think meant for shooting. Has a deck chair and esky, with openings on each side. He leaves it in place, but he has a few acres by the looks.

*edit: Nigel Danson

 

[Ralph]

A lightweight comfortable chair is key.

You may want to look into a hunting blind instead of a dedicated photo blind. I suspect they'll cost less, and most of them have screens that will let air pass without being seen, if you don't plan on shooting in that direction. Also, look for a blind that has a roof vent to let the warm air out.

They do make some that you can stand up in if you look around.

It is a little hard to find the right one here as most are made in America an and not here. The talk about shooting through the screens but this is more bow and arrow side of things. The one I have looked at stands inside of about 5 foot 7 inches just slightly low but I feel for what I need it could be good and now these have got the tie downs. I have got time to keep looking to pick out the tight one which will suit me. So I will keep looking and thank you.

 

[Ralph]

I see a guy on YouTube using a hide on his property. It’s basically a camo tent, I think meant for shooting. Has a deck chair and esky, with openings on each side. He leaves it in place, but he has a few acres by the looks.

I will go looking for this fella as it might be the one I need or want. Even if I have to make a few changes to get it the way I need it. Thanks.

 

[Gaz]

I will go looking for this fella as it might be the one I need or want. Even if I have to make a few changes to get it the way I need it. Thanks.

Nigel Danson. I’ll see if I can find the relevant v blog

 

[Uncle Kevriano]

They are probably very useful but I think you look a tool sitting in one, so I would never. I'm look bad enough as it is

 

[Ralph]

They are probably very useful but I think you look a tool sitting in one, so I would never. I'm look bad enough as it is

I wouldn't care due to my back. That to me in more important that what people think. If you worry about what they think you might never go back out. SO I just don't care.

 

[Unframed Dave]

If you're doing it right you won't look like anything. No one would be able to see you!

Who said that?

 

[iamdlewis]

They are probably very useful but I think you look a tool sitting in one, so I would never. I'm look bad enough as it is

I don't think one should worry about looking like a tool by people wearing several very bright colors, playing music for everyone to hear, whether they want to or not, and saying "I never see any wildlife here."

 

[Uncle Kevriano]

See I flatly refuse to join the camo brigade, I'm not in the army! Honestly, I don't think it makes as much difference and being quiet and moving slowly.

I remember being out shooting Short Eared Owls once, and there were guys in camo top to toe including rucksacks and tripods, honestly every bit, probably socks and pants too. Anyway, they were both perched on top of a river bank, which is kind of defeating the point, but a Shortie flew from the field just as a guy who was wearing a jacket that looked like an inflatable life raft walked by. It flew right in front of him without a care. I'm not sure what the army thought, but I found it hilarious.

 

[iamdlewis]

See I flatly refuse to join the camo brigade, I'm not in the army! Honestly, I don't think it makes as much difference and being quiet and moving slowly.

I am not talking about wearing camo just neutral green/tan/grey as I have been basically invisible to others on the trails. Personally I have noticed a difference in bird behavior when I am out with another person and they wear a neutral green/tan/grey vs them wearing white/blue/red/yellows.

 

[Uncle Kevriano]

Yep I always wear dark, muted colours, it's all that's needed, as long as hiding the white lens with a skin.

 

[Uncle Kevriano]

Isn't that the desired result?

What, looking like a liferaft

 

[Uncle Kevriano]

Here you go Kev!

That's what some Americans class as a big foot sighting. If I saw someone wearing that I'd die laughing (and also strike a match to see him run)

 

[russellsnr]

Use one of these for years, once you get used to how to refold it there great IMO, you can get a small bag inside with tripod in place. https://www.nitehawkproducts.co.uk/99235-nitehawk-hunting-tent-with-chair.html

 

[Unframed Dave]

That's what some Americans class as a big foot sighting. If I saw someone wearing that I'd die laughing (and also strike a match to see him run)

Best not wear mine in lowestoft then.

 

[Doug Herr]

A comfortable chair, a wide-brim hat and netting covering everything (except my feet). Works amazingly well.

 

[Slug]

Well I often do a lunchtime photo walk during a work day at the Tasmanian Arboretum wearing high viz.

Doesn't seem to faze the wildlife and I seem to do ok with the photos.

 

[rae1063]

For those of you w blinds, do you have land you set it on? Or do you take to public trails and such and set it just off trail? I've considered getting one, also considered a ghili suit, but don't have anywhere to place it.

 

[russellsnr]

For those of you w blinds, do you have land you set it on? Or do you take to public trails and such and set it just off trail? I've considered getting one, also considered a ghili suit, but don't have anywhere to place it.

Hi, I approached a local farmer and asked if OK to put up a hide or use a portable hide in the wooded area of his farm, if you ask they can say yes or no but don't ask don't get. Also use the portable hide I linked to when out looking for owls, kingfisher etc. find it really handy especially Winter time.

 

[rae1063]

So, birds are attracted to your feet?


A Ghillie Suit is placed on your body. Hope this helps.

Most of these blinds pop up and down in seconds. If there's no wind you don't even need to stake. Public land use is very typical.

OK, ya got me on that one.

 

[Deleted Member 5003]

Agree with Kev to a large degree.....

Knowledge of subject behavioural characteristics and working within these constraints trumps camo every time in my view.

Wildlife subjects in environments with frequent exposure to humans versus those who are'nt are the difference between
subject approachability and skitishness.........

In either circumstances the former requires some limited degree of waiting for the appropriate shooting moment whilst the latter
some level of exposure to the subject over time, camouflaged or not, to the time when shot opportunities will arise as they
Invariably do...its a question of time versus persistence.

Wooden, fixed hides are great for specific subject shooting, and can be very accommodating, but they have their limitations ,
whilst in the field,in my view, prior subject behavioural knowledge combined with a fisherman like vision to tough it out until
the fruits of your endevours arrive will trump camo every time.

Wildlife and avian subjects are very habitual in their nature and practical field skills coupled with subject behavioural knowledge
Will always win through in my opinion.

The above said, based on photographer unhindered full body physical capability, those with physical constraints such as
Ralph(Aussie) , who has willingly shared his constraints above and in the past with the forum, are well understood and
speak to the view whatever you need to do to follow your passion is both recognised and admirable and speaks more to
the fortitude of the individual and comfort level rather than raw shot optimisation of available Camo configurations.

 

[Ralph]

For those of you w blinds, do you have land you set it on? Or do you take to public trails and such and set it just off trail? I've considered getting one, also considered a ghili suit, but don't have anywhere to place it.

Here in Australian we have so much land and spaces about in national parks that you could put one up and no one would care too much. And here the main people who are birders we all know each other more by our cars. So it would be like they drive up and see a Black Jeep and they would Say Ralph is out here somewhere. As I have had many times while walking about and missed people and seen them at meetings to be told seen you car the other day but missed you. So this is what I would do here.