Knowing how to set up your ground blind will reduce the chances of poles or hubs breaking, and it will help you get in position quickly and easily for the hunt. Practice setting up and tearing down your pop up ground blind so that you’re comfortable with the process before you try it in the wee hours of the morning out in the field.

Ground Blind Setup Instructions

1. Unzip the carrying case, making sure to pinch the ground blind together to keep it from unfolding as you remove the case.


Hold on to the blind as you pull it out of the bag.

2. Remove the two sets of poles from the carrying case and place them to the side for now.


Remove the stakes from the bag and set them aside.

3. To open the ground blind, place one hand on each section of the blind and separate the two sections, allowing the blind to slowly open up into a full circle.


Separate the two round sections to open the blind.

4. Set the bottom of the blind on the ground and hold on to the top of the ground blind.


Keep one hand on top of the ground blind.

5. Grab the two sections of the circle and open it up to reveal two sides of the blind.


Open up the two sides of the blind.

6. Reach one hand into the center of the two sides to grab the frame and pull it towards you, turning the blind into four sides.


Reach in to the middle of the blind and pull it out to open up all four sides.

7. Assemble the poles end to end.


Assemble the poles end to end.

8. Secure the end of a pole in the sleeve in one of the bottom corners of the blind. Secure the opposite end of the pole in the sleeve at the opposite corner. Do the same for the other pole in the opposite corners of the blind.


Insert the end of the pole into the sleeve.

9. Secure the two poles together in the center of the roof with the attached hook and loop fastener.


Attach the two poles to the hook and loop fastener on the roof.

10. Stake your ground blind down with the included stakes to keep the wind from blowing it away.


Stake down the blind to secure it.

Now you’re ready to hunt!

For a demonstration on how to set up the blind, see this video for full setup instructions and features on the KillZone Turret pop up ground blind.

Related Posts:

• How to Tear Down a Pop Up Blind – Get your blind back in the bag in no time with these step-by-step instructions.

Shooting sticks—monopods, bipods, and tripods—are a great way to steady your shot in the field, on the range, or from inside a hunting blind. They are quick and easy to set up and use for a solid gun rest no matter where you are shooting. With a little practice, using shooting sticks will become second nature.

How to Properly Use a Tripod, Bipod, or Monopod:

Place the forearm of the rifle over the cradle of the shooting sticks. Don’t balance the rifle at its center; instead, place the gun over the cradle at a point well forward on the forearm.

The experts at Rifle Shooting magazine recommend that the best way to use a shooting stick is not to let the rifle rest directly on the cradle. Instead, using your non-shooting arm, wrap your hand around the shooting sticks where they intersect and allow the rifle to rest on your hand rather than the cradle. Your forward hand should be holding both the shooting sticks and the gun. This position is more natural and stable than simply grabbing on to the leg of the shooting sticks and letting the rifle rest directly on the cradle.

Make sure the shooting sticks are set at the right height. If you are standing, the intersection of the tripod legs should fall just below your shoulders when your feet are in a wide stance. The rifle should be level when pressed into your shoulder. Lean into the rifle with your body, and pull back on the shooting sticks with your forward hand.

KillZone Hunting blinds are designed with lightweight steel hubs and fiberglass poles for durability and strength. The rods and hubs resist breakage, as long as they are not abused.

To keep your rods and hubs from breaking, follow these 3 simple steps:

1. Learn the proper setup procedure.
2. Avoid exposure to extreme weather.
3. Avoid long-term exposure to the elements.

Proper Setup

If you learn how to properly set up your ground blind, you should not have to worry about poles or hubs breaking. Follow the instructions provided, and never force a pole into place. Be especially careful with new tents, as the material may need to stretch a bit before it fits the length of the poles.

Follow the setup instructions as described by the manufacturer. Setting up the blind any other way could make the rods and hubs more likely to break.

For KillZone hunting blinds, the best way to learn how to set up your ground blind is to watch the instructional video included on the product page:

• Turret XL Hub Style
• Turret Pop Up
• Lay ‘n Slay© Layout

Exposure

The other reason that poles and hubs break, besides improper setup, is exposure to extreme weather. The longer your blind is exposed to the elements, the greater the chances that the blind will be damaged by storms, strong winds, and other forces of nature.

A heavy snow load on top of the blind places a significant amount of stress on the poles and can easily cause them to break. Also, exposure to extreme cold can make the poles more brittle and therefore more likely to break.

Avoid leaving your blind out for longer than necessary. It is not designed to withstand the elements for the entire hunting season.

The number following the “x” in the size of a spotting scope stands for the diameter of the objective lens, which typically ranges from 50mm to 80mm in size. The bigger the objective lens, the more light enters the scope and the brighter and clearer the image will be. The size of the lens is especially important in low light conditions.

What are the differences between a large and small objective lens?

• Larger lens = More detail, better image quality at higher magnifications, larger field of view
• Smaller lens = Smaller, more compact scope, lighter weight, more affordable

But the quality of your spotting scope depends on more than just the size of the objective lens. A large lens does not automatically trump a smaller lens. The quality of the objective lens also depends on the quality of the glass used to make the lens. A small objective lens with high performance glass (such as ED, APO, HD, or Fluorite) can deliver a higher quality image than a large objective lens with standard glass.

The higher the magnification, the more important it is to have a high quality objective lens for sharper image quality and detail. At lower magnifications, a smaller and more affordable objective lens should suit your needs just fine.

The quality of the objective lens can also be improved by special coatings added to the glass. For example, the anti-glare lens coating used on the KillZone scope reduces distortion and focuses the light rays for a crisper, brighter image. Special coatings ensure a quality image in less-than-ideal light conditions. Keep in mind that the use of high performance glass and lens coatings will increase the cost of the spotting scope.

The KillZone Turret XL Ground Blind has hunters talking. Priced at only $99 and offering many of the same features as the top brands, the Turret XL offers spacious room, quiet window closures, shoot through mesh, roof hatch, carbon scent block, and two choices of camo patterns.

Here’s what a couple of Michigan hunters have to say about their Turret XL blinds:

“I have a KillZone Turret XL, and it’s great! With 11 shooting windows (all have shoot through mesh) and a roof hatch, there’s no limit to the opportunities to use it.” (Longhair)

“Bought two of the KillZone Turret-XL blinds this year and am pretty impressed so far. 6×6 inside and 66 inch center. Also has a zippered roof hatch so you can stand up for a spell just to look around. For $99.00 shipped to my door and removable mesh windows I couldn’t beat it.

I really can’t find anything I don’t like about it for the money spent. The camo pattern and fabric are very acceptable imo. Sheen doesn’t seem bad at all, much less than the Ameristeps I have owned. The material is pretty tight, so flap in the wind is of no concern to me. The hubs are of some type plastic material [now made of lightweight steel], but I found them fully functional during the muzzleloader season. No problem with the tiedown points, at the top or sides. The stakes are cheap, but I didn’t find them needed anyway….

But for $99, and to my door in 3 days, I don’t hesitate to recommend it to the “cost” concious. I bought two, and my bro in law liked what he saw, and he also bought one.

I would give it at least an 8 1/2 of 10 rating. Better, but one of the window loop keepers needed a little more thread to hold it in place. For the money spent, I’m pleased. Can’t say that for a lot of things I bought over the years.” (Don)

Full reviews and comments are posted on the Michigan Sportsman forum.

For more information on the Turret XL Hunting Blind, click here to see our product page, video spotlight, and customer reviews for this blind.

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If you’re looking for the best portable chair blind for your next hunting or wildlife expedition, take a look at this chair blind review from a KillZone customer:

“I’ve had one of these chairs for nearly two years now, am generally very impressed with it. I’m a big guy…6ft tall and 275 pounds. After using it for my wildlife photography probably 40 times, I finally broke one of the grommets on the chair seat. Having said that, I’m ready to order another one, because it’s WAY better the first “cheapo” camo-chair that I had before (it only lasted for about 10 sessions before completely collapsing, and it didn’t have as much camo coverage.

This product was clearly designed by someone who uses it. It has plenty of room in front of the seat for a gear-bag, and with two zippers on each window you have good flexibility with creating right-sized peepholes. Although I haven’t tested water-tightness myself, it looks like it should hold up well (certainly with a little CampDry sprayed on the fabric). It’s very easy to pack and unpack, a quick-disconnect belt (sewn to the fabric) wraps around the unit once the spring-metal frame is compressed. The carrying bag even has backpack straps, but you may want to add your own bungee cord across your chest to keep the strap from sliding off your shoulders.”

- Ken Agee

The KillZone Single Shooter Chair Blind offers concealment and comfortable seating all in one lightweight package. This blind is the perfect for hunting or observing wildlife on your own. For hunting with friends and family, take a look at the 2 Shooter Chair Blind or our larger hub style or pop up blinds.