How to Build a Shooting House for a Bow Hunter
- 1). Build the floor frame by using two 8-foot long 2-by-4's as the front and rear of the frame. Cut five 2-by-4's to a length of 45 inches with the miter saw, and screw them between the front and rear frame pieces, using wood screws. Place the 45-inch pieces at 16-inch centers and cover with a piece of 4-by-8 plywood to complete the floor.
- 2). Assemble the front wall frame by using 8-foot long 2-by-4's as the top and bottom and 6-foot tall 2-by-4's for the uprights. Use 7-foot tall 2-by-4's for the uprights on the rear wall. Side walls will have a 45-inch-long bottom and one upright that is 6 feet tall and one that is 7 feet tall. The top piece is determined by measuring from the front wall to the rear wall on the angle created by the different-sized uprights. These wall frame dimensions will give you enough room to stand upright in the blind to shoot the bow.
- 3). Screw the bottom of each wall into place using the wood screws. Use screws to secure each wall to the adjacent wall. One of the spaces between the uprights on either the wall can be use for your door. Create window spaces by spanning across a set of uprights with 2-by-4's to create bottom and top sills. Window placement will be dependent on your anticipated shooting lanes and blind placement. Be sure to make them tall enough to comfortably shoot through.
- 4). Use two pieces of 1/2-inch plywood, 8-feet long-by-2 1/2-feet wide to cover the roof. The difference in the uprights for the front and rear walls will create a sloped roof to shed water. The size of the plywood will allow for approximately 6 inches of overhang on the front and back.
- 5). Use a tape measure to determine the sizes of 1/2-inch plywood needed to sheath the outside of the blind. Cut these pieces with the table saw.
- 6). Install batt insulation between the wall uprights by stapling it in place or simply stuffing it in. Then sheath the inside with plywood to complete the shooting house.
