roll bars double as duck blind??

[goldhunter_2]

I was just wondering. I know that I "should" have roll bars but am debating this right now as it would be hard to use a a duck blind. Does anyone have pictures of a 8x8 rigged with roll cage that set up to double as a duck blind

[GREASEMONKEY]

I have an 02 bigfoot with the cammo upper body. I havent installed a rollbar yet, but do have the soft top. I just got a big peice of the 3D cammo fabric, and throw it across the top & windshield! Worked fine this weekend!

[Meinfield]

Check out this e-bay link. There is a Hustler with a duck blind for sale, looks like a nice machine except for the tires.

eBay Motors: Hustler 6-wheeler (item 120188372950 end time Dec-01-07 17:09:29 PST)

[jpswift1]

Throw some 22" Goodyear Rawhide III's on there and you have a really mean rig there. Hey Meinfield, isn't that Hustler close to you? Maybe you could use another one in your fleet.

[Meinfield]

Too many hustlers, too little time...

[goldhunter_2]

GREASEMONKEY,
ya sounds like it would work that way and I may just do something like that instead of putting roll bar cage. My old hustler didn't have a cage at all ........ but it was slow and I have other plans for this new one

Meinfield,
yep I had a ball in my old hustler and that looks like a neat blind I like the little jump seat they have rigged on the rear rack but wouldn't think hat would offer much protection in a roll over

jpswift1,
I am not sure I would say that is close to me still around 800-900 miles form here guess I am getting old I have a idea in my head this time of what I want was thinking 26 to 29" tires , alum tub and something like whippers springer for a better ride and more ground clearance. I am talking with that guy on the 8x8 frame he is going to get me some shipping quotes today so we will see, maybe I will be starting soon I figure the 26-29" tires would give both good clearance and flotation and since I can't get tracks for the larger tires anyway I may as well do it right

[boncrshr]

Hey Goldhunter,

I am an avid duck hunter too, and I was considering doing the same thing. After some extensive brain storming with my buddies, we figured the best way to do it would be to make a square cage that came up about 36-40" from the body of the hustler. Then just have some metal that would come out from the top of the cage on one side front and rear, at a 90 degree angle, kinda like an awning. They could swing up somehow and pin in place. You could then get some of that 3D camo netting and throw it over the whole vehicle, including the awning type thing. For front cover, we were going to use some of that Fastgrass that rolls up. We would be covered back, front and top, and could sit in comfortable chairs on the ground, with our backs to the side of the vehicle. The vehicle itself, rather than sitting in it, could be used for dry storage during the hunt (cooler, shells, gear, etc). With the limited space in the vehicle, if you are sitting in it, it leaves very little space for gear, dog, etc.

However; I have decided not to do this, as my current thinking is to keep the vehicle itself as light as possible which means you keep your psi exerted on the ground as low as possible. So I just bought some stock Hustler racks from Richard Clark, which are SUPER light and fairly functional. Kinda small, but I like minimal.

My hunting buddies and I have decided to all get layout blinds. They have really come down in price, weigh 17-25lbs, you hunt in complete concealment, dry, comfy, they have gun and shell holders, and some even have space for your dog at your feet. Also, this means there is minimal modification to your machine.


The other alternative I have always thought would be cool, would be to find a cheap jon boat, and weld some axles to the side and put some balloon tires on it. Put a hitch in the front, and use it as an amphibious trailer in the off-season and a hunting blind during the season. You could frame out a blind with PVC pipe and put whatever kind of seats you wanted in there. The 3D netting from Cabela's is super cheap.

Just my .02, my only concern is how necessary are roll bars? Hope I never have to find out! I would be interested to hear from the resident experts thoughts on roll bars. Not so much from a recreational riding standpoint, my riding is more slow and steady point A to B in the muck.

[goldhunter_2]

boncrshr,
ya we use layout boats airboats, john bats but can only tow so many things to the lake at one time some of the places we hunt have pretty BIG lizards an I don't like stand in those spots plus my bad leg some days I just have to stay in something and I normally have one or two kids with me hunts so my thought was kinda a portable blind and fix a platform in the back the kids can stand on. I may try to make a square roll bar like you said I just figured there would be ore pictures of that type stuff already been done

I am with you an hope I never need to find out about the roll bars but just trying to think safety since I am planing on using a bigger engine 440 at smallest probably a 532 ,582 or 618 an people have said I tend to play a little rough plus I have two boys that would drive it also .........and if you aw them on a 4 wheeler you would understand my roll bar thoughts

[boncrshr]

Hey Gold,

In that case, what if you made a square cage coming up from the corners of the vehicle, then make some sort of bench seat that would run the length of the vehicle and then fold up/down when you were ready to hunt. You could even do the same with a fold-down foot rest on the opposite side with shell/gun holders. Maybe make the cage just high enough to shoot out of when you are sitting on the seat. You could maybe also make something to stick up behind you to throw a camo tarp over to break up your outline from the back?

The idea of hunting from the vehicle is way cool, I agree, but we are kinda fat here in Texas, so it seemed a little small with all the gear, dogs and 520lbs of hunters between me and my hunting buddy.

[goldhunter_2]

I am 143lbs soaking wet so I think theres enough room for me

[GREASEMONKEY]

I need no stinkin dogs!!!! That's what the argo's for!

[boncrshr]

Dogs are what make it fun for me....

Ya'll ever look at the original Hustler brochure that had 4 men riding in a Hustler? I swear they must have recruited some jockeys for that photo shoot.

[goldhunter_2]

dog helps keep the big lizards away

[GREASEMONKEY]

dog helps keep the big lizards away

Dogs are a snack for big lizzards!

[goldhunter_2]

only the ones over about 12-13 feet