Deer blind question

cincoranchhntr

LSB Member
Do you think there is a demand for 'custom' hunting blinds? I am considering starting my own business providing hunting blinds or maybe even just the steel support framing/platforming for hunters who know exactly what they want, but need someone who can fabricate their specific and ideal blind for them. I have been designing steel structures for 35 yrs for oil and gas and want to do my own thing now. The possibilities are endless when it comes to hunting and hunters have specific wants and needs when it comes to their set ups. I have built a few stands for my buddies and they have exactly what they wanted. Just wanted opinions from the folks on this sight to see if there might be a demand for a 'custom blind supplier'. Thanks for your feedback.
 

RattlesnakeDan

San Antonio Texas
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I am building a couple blinds right now myself. I will probably sell some also. It's a seasonal market so better get on it!
If your'e home building them you'll sell some. If you want to make a business out of it you need to be able to market them well and be able to meet demand if it takes off.
 

scrmblr1982cj8

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I think you'll have a tremendous opportunity to sell stands to hunters.

I'm interested in a heavy duty metal stand. The ladder stands I can find locally are not built sturdy enough for what I want. I want a platform stand I can set and be confident that it will be as solid in 10 years as it was the day I put it in the ground.

The closest thing I can find to what I want is a Redneck Hunting blind.

Any ideas or drawings you could share?
 

Wassman

Houston, Texas
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The hunting market is hard to break into for a few reasons.
1) Majority of hunters are very tight with their money and look to penny pinch anywhere they can, and when it comes to blinds with these type of hunters they choose to build their own. I say this because I am one of these hunters, I have the ability to build my own and do so.
2) The hunters that have money fall into two categories. Fully furnished hunting lease hunters where they buy into a lease for the year and everything is already on site, but they manage the assets. The next category is the pay hunt, where the hunter just simply pays an outfitter for an the entire experience and they just show up with their gun.
3) The individual hunters that would consider purchasing their blind are typically located in major metro areas and they will typically look locally around their lease for blinds.

If I where to get into the blind building business I would have to secure one or two avenues first. Obtain a purchase order from a sporting store like a bass pro shops or similar outfit. Another avenue would be obtaining a maintenance contract or purchase order from outfitters. I wouldn't go after the individual hunter since for one the market is already flooded with options, and two the area in which you can realistically reach is not sustainable for any business unless you get a store front in a hunting town and sell other hunting related items corn, batteries, feeders, etc.

Approaching sporting supply store and outfitters would be the safest bet to establish a sustainable business. But these kinds of endeavors require a salesmen approach and you have to be able to bring demo's with you, and in these demo's they have to set it apart from the rest of the competition. In addition it is kinda late for these kinds of endeavors, since hunting season is right around the corner and these conversations should have started months ago. However all is not lost for next year, this year you could build a few units and to get setup pictures, testimonials, maybe even promo videos. That way when the conversation start next year with sporting stores and outfitter you have more than a product to show them.

Good Luck and hope this view helps.
 

FrankT

Destin FL
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I feel the shipping on heavy blinds is generally a detriment and there are many expensive ones out there now, There is always a local person making them anyway. A 4' to 6' platform to build on or put a fabric blind on is needed badly though and could be shipped pretty easily.
 

cincoranchhntr

LSB Member
I think you'll have a tremendous opportunity to sell stands to hunters.

I'm interested in a heavy duty metal stand. The ladder stands I can find locally are not built sturdy enough for what I want. I want a platform stand I can set and be confident that it will be as solid in 10 years as it was the day I put it in the ground.

The closest thing I can find to what I want is a Redneck Hunting blind.

Any ideas or drawings you could share?
That is specifically the market I want to target. My stuff will be very stout and last decades instead of just 10+ years. I would be happy to fabricate a stand for you. Just message me some specifics of what you want and I'll give a guesstimate. I plan to provide bolt together 'kits' that your average hunter could assemble and erect with minimal help from a few buddies if needed. I'll take closer look at the Redneck Blinds in the meantime. Thanks
 

cincoranchhntr

LSB Member
I feel the shipping on heavy blinds is generally a detriment and there are many expensive ones out there now, There is always a local person making them anyway. A 4' to 6' platform to build on or put a fabric blind on is needed badly though and could be shipped pretty easily.
Frank, that is one of the niches I intend to target. I am building a 4x4 x 8ft high platform for one of my hunting buddies now. That platform will be used by him and his sons for many years to come. I think you're right in that there are many out there that would build their own 'blind' but need the solid platform and frame to put it on. Let me know if you know anyone interested. I know you are in Florida so how cool would it be to have your framing fabricated locally near you so all you have to do is go by the fabrication shop and pick up your custom steel framing and hardware and take it to your property or have it delivered for a local 'hot shot' fee? This is easily done also. I can design anything (fabrication drawings) and have it fabricated anywhere, literally. Thanks for the input.
 

cincoranchhntr

LSB Member
The hunting market is hard to break into for a few reasons.
1) Majority of hunters are very tight with their and look to penny pinch anywhere they can, and when it comes to blinds with these type of hunters they choose to build their own. I say this because I am one of these hunters, I have the ability to build my own and do so.
2) The hunters that have money fall into two categories. Fully furnished hunting lease hunters where they buy into a lease for the year and everything is already on site, but they manage the assets. The next category is the pay hunt, where the hunter just simply pays an outfitter for an the entire experience and they just show up with their gun.
3) The individual hunters that would consider purchasing their blind are typically located in major metro areas and they will typically look locally around their lease for blinds.

If I where to get into the blind building business I would have to secure one or two avenues first. Obtain a purchase order from a sporting store like a bass pro shops or similar outfit. Another avenue would be obtaining a maintenance contract or purchase order from outfitters. I wouldn't go after the individual hunter since for one the market is already flooded with options, and two the area in which you can realistically reach is not sustainable for any business unless you get a store front in a hunting town and sell other hunting related items corn, batteries, feeders, etc.

Approaching sporting supply store and outfitters would be the safest bet to establish a sustainable business. But these kinds of endeavors require a salesmen approach and you have to be able to bring demo's with you, and in these demo's they have to set it apart from the rest of the competition. In addition it is kinda late for these kinds of endeavors, since hunting season is right around the corner and these conversations should have started months ago. However all is not lost for next year, this year you could build a few units and to get setup pictures, testimonials, maybe even promo videos. That way when the conversation start next year with sporting stores and outfitter you have more than a product to show them.

Good Luck and hope this view helps.
You make very good points. However, the hunter I would be targeting is one that may own some property and wants a stand or two but does not have the time, knowledge, desire or facilities to build his own. I have a few friends that fit that description. As far as being able to reach a market area, that would not be an issue. Also, I have a few years to retirement and this endeavor can take plenty of time to develop . Word of mouth and references would be my hope in the near term. My units would not be something you would buy at a Bass Pro as they will be unique to each customer and their situation. Thanks for the suggestions.
 

FrankT

Destin FL
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Well what I can tell you is if you make good stuff, have a website and do social media well, you should have no problem getting customers. Only in FL for a short time as I am headed back to TX soon, hope to be fairly close to you. Get on forums, have a Facebook page, get friends to talk about you and have plenty of picture and videos on how to finish your stands and blinds, you should do well. Good luck
 

Wassman

Houston, Texas
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You make very good points. However, the hunter I would be targeting is one that may own some property and wants a stand or two but does not have the time, knowledge, desire or facilities to build his own. I have a few friends that fit that description. As far as being able to reach a market area, that would not be an issue. Also, I have a few years to retirement and this endeavor can take plenty of time to develop . Word of mouth and references would be my hope in the near term. My units would not be something you would buy at a Bass Pro as they will be unique to each customer and their situation. Thanks for the suggestions.
I just always think of sustainable income, generally a custom type busness have a hard time sustaining a profit and take a good deal of capital to keep it afloat till it becomes established. I have tried it a number of times and the result was always the same.

They started with a few clients wanting a custom product and where very happy with what they recieved. I also had the same ideal that word of mouth would bear fruit, and it did from time to time. But not the extent I was hopine for.

Best of luck and I hope your experience differs from mine.
 

RattlesnakeDan

San Antonio Texas
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I just always think of sustainable income, generally a custom type busness have a hard time sustaining a profit and take a good deal of capital to keep it afloat till it becomes established. I have tried it a number of times and the result was always the same.

They started with a few clients wanting a custom product and where very happy with what they recieved. I also had the same ideal that word of mouth would bear fruit, and it did from time to time. But not the extent I was hopine for.

Best of luck and I hope your experience differs from mine.
I have started more than a handful of businesses, always made money but sometimes in much excess and others with struggling to pay bills. Starting over right now but being more diversified. Have my hands in a number of things, trust in God and work hard. Results will be what they will be.
 

cincoranchhntr

LSB Member
Well what I can tell you is if you make good stuff, have a website and do social media well, you should have no problem getting customers. Only in FL for a short time as I am headed back to TX soon, hope to be fairly close to you. Get on forums, have a Facebook page, get friends to talk about you and have plenty of picture and videos on how to finish your stands and blinds, you should do well. Good luck

Great advice Frank. I'm in west Houston. Let me know when you get back to Texas.
-John
 

RattlesnakeDan

San Antonio Texas
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Built a couple simple 4' x 6' deer blinds. Sold one and put the other on a trailer so I can take it where I need when I need. The first night I set it up, still smelled like fresh paint. I went back after dark to get in it Deer Blind.jpg and couldn't get to it because the hogs were all around it. I think they like it more than I do.
 

FrankT

Destin FL
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That is nice I like the concept
 

Oso Grande

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Built a couple simple 4' x 6' deer blinds. Sold one and put the other on a trailer so I can take it where I need when I need. The first night I set it up, still smelled like fresh paint. I went back after dark to get in it View attachment 3956 and couldn't get to it because the hogs were all around it. I think they like it more than I do.
So you're saying we should be putting fresh paint out to attract them......
 
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