Camoflage hides

[ruffdog64]

I`m going to get a hide, but would like to know from those that have them whether to get the two man version although i plan on going alone or would the one man version be roomy enough, also where would you recomend getting a good one from and is there a particuler brand that stands out from the rest? My budget is £150.00

 

[CT]

I`m going to get a hide, but would like to know from those that have them whether to get the two man version although i plan on going alone or would the one man version be roomy enough, also where would you recomend getting a good one from and is there a particuler brand that stands out from the rest? My budget is £150.00

I have a two man camo hide. iIt's excellent and was well this side of 100 quid - the seats are very substantial and form the basis of a very rigid hide one it's erected. The downside is it's heavy - 17lbs in it's bag along with all the rest of the gear you have to cart about, and getting it back in the bag drives me crackers- a bit like trying to put a johnny on thats 3 sizes too small!

I tend to only use it when I'm targeting a particular bird or where there isn't any natural cover at the location.

This is the one I have...
http://www.gardenature.co.uk/shop/product.php?pid=61

 

[ruffdog64]

Thanks repling ct, is the seat integral or seperate and could i leave the second one at home? I love the comparision by the way

 

[CT]

Nope - the seats are the whole frame of the tent. Clever design - but they're part of the tent and you can't remove them. Truthfully with me and the misses in there and she's only a little dot, there's just about enough room to use two tripods - but it's tight. If you don't really need the two seats you might be better of a with a one man version.

Have you thought about just getting a big piece of scrim netting and few poles - you can quickly erect a hide pretty much anywhere with that arrangement and a lot less bulk and weight.

 

[ruffdog64]

I have considered the poles and netting way , but where would i get all the poles etc and is it going to be an easier method to the same end?

 

[CT]

When I was pigeon shooting (bang bang not click click) I had a hide with a scrim netting and alloy poles that just broke down and fitted into a bag not much bigger than your average tripod bag - light as a feather too. I tended to erect it in gaps in hedgerows mostly. I wish I'd kept it now . Shooting supplies shops should have something similar I'd think.

To come back to my hide it's great quality and good value but I'd look for something else if I was buying again. The seats are great - very comfortable - even for a long session with arm rests and cupholders FFS, but you can only enter it from the front after you've put the tripod in place then you have to squeeze in past it and lower the front of the hide It's a performance to get out for the same reason.

I'd look for something with side or rear entry so you can get in and out for a break if you need to while leaving the gear in place -even if it means a separate folding seat.

 

[Druid_getafix]

For a hide you have to consider the environment you are going to use it in. If it is different or changes then you will need different covers otherwise it stands out like a sore thumb or a basic neutral base you can build onto.

CT is on the money. Go to a shooting shop and look at what they offer. Browse on line http://www.cabelas.com/ an American company show a good range then see if you can find one locally in the style / pattern you want for the area you intend to use it most - keep in mind a fitted white sheet with some holes works wonders in snow!!

I've always used a hide bigger than needed (2 man when alone as if you move inside you do not want to move the hide and it allows some level of comfort. Building with poles and netting is the way I have done it most recently in both Botswana (Okavango Delta) and Namibia - Namib & Kalahari Deserts and Skeleton Coast, poles (telescopic type) and netting are light to travel and pack and if you get neutral netting with light grey green one side and desert sand tawny the other on a loose leaf material type pattern you can use local materials to make it blend in pretty well. Or cover with a white sheet if in snow.

Hunting with a camera or other the principles remain the same so speak to the local shooters if you know any. Take you time as hides and camouflage is an art form in itself and I am still learning it.

 

[crofter]

I have the one man version, the missus got me it for my birthday last week off Ebay for £50, I've only tried it in the garden as I have a broken foot and can't go very far but it's very quick to set up and quite cosy, room for my camera bag on the floor, I'll probably use a monopod as I think it'll be a little tight with a Tripod, looking forward to getting out and about.

 

[davecurley]

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