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Archery Equipment Review:Ameristep Intimidator Ground Blind
Review: Ameristep Intimidator Ground Blind
by Brian Wensel-Dewclaw Staff Shooter
 The Ameristep Intimidator Ground Blind
was initially evaluated during a two-week whitetail-hunting trip to Virginia,
Ohio, and Illinois with weather conditions that ranged from clear and sunny to
torrential downpours. We were in the
woods from sunrise to sunset and really put our equipment to the test. The weather conditions were at times,
intense, and for a period of 4 days we hunting in steady rain. On a few days took advantage of the
opportunity to keep dry and test out the waterproofing capabilities of the
blind, which was enhanced with Primos Water Repellent Earth Blend Spray.
Design and
Function:
The Intimidator Blind
utilizes a hub style design and offers exceptional concealment properties for
the hunter and protection from harsh weather.
Ameristep’s trademark Shadow Guard carbon enhanced lining, magnetic
curtains, and shoot through camouflage screens all contribute to a comfortable,
well concealed hunting experience.
Although we did enhance the blind with Primos Water Repellent Earth
Blend Spray, the NS3 technology incorporated into the fabric claims to be 100%
waterproof, and after hunting in harsh conditions I can confirm that the
waterproofing qualities performed excellently.
Features:  Exterior Fabric NS³ Technology: No Shine, No Shadow, No
Sound- Hub Style Technology providing excellent stability and
easy setup
- Shadow Guard black liner that assists in eliminating
shadows
- Magnetic curtains that effectively cover window openings
and can be silently
adjusted• Stake and tie-down points for use in high wind
situations
- Accessory Shelf & Bow Hanger
- Electronic Game Call Window
- Three Sealed Camera Ports
- 360° viewing
- Shoot through mesh• Removable floor
- Exterior ground skirt• Reflective Orange safety system
- Weighs only 22lbs.• Pack Dimensions: 10” x 10" x 43"
- Blind Dimensions: 74" x 74" x 67"
From the design & function perspective, the hub style
design makes set up a snap. Simply by
pulling on the cloth handles located in the center of each side and on the top
opens the blind to a fully erect square measuring 74”x74”x67” tall. The blind was designed with function in mind
and Ameristep achieved their goal. The
internal dimensions were sufficient enough to accommodate a bow hunter and a
cameraman with a tripod.
The shoot through screens and magnetic curtains make
adjusting the window configurations a simple task and can be easily raised and
lowered quickly and quietly when the situation dictates. At the time, I was shooting mechanical
broadheads and was hesitant to use the shoot through mesh screen for fear of
the broadheads opening prior to contact with the animal. However prior to our hunting trip, the blind
was set up in the back yard and I did take three shots at a target through the
mesh with a fixed blade Maniac broadhead and the flight of the arrow seemed to
be unaffected.
 The magnetic curtain configuration works adequately. My only complaint would be in reference to
the number of magnets positioned along the top edge of the curtain that are
used to hold the material in place. When
the curtains are removed and positioned out of the way of the hunter, at times
the weight of the excess unused curtain makes it difficult for the magnets to
prevent the curtain from falling. Factor
in harsh weather conditions with rain and heavy winds, and the curtains become
even more difficult to keep attached, but only when excess curtain exists from
an open window area. When a curtain
section is fully attached it is extremely secure. There are two separate solutions that I would
recommend; either increasing the number of magnets along the top edge of the
curtains in order to handled the added weight, or reducing the length of the
curtain by cutting them in half, essentially reducing the size and weight of
each curtain. There is simply too much
material for the current magnet configuration to handle when a large portion of
the curtain is not covering a window.
The NS3 technology that was incorporated into the blinds
fabric helps to eliminate any visible sheen on the outside. The material is also whisper quiet thanks to
the dull fleece finish, and prevents light from passing through, eliminating
the possibility of any shadows or silhouetting inside the blind. The last thing any hunter on the ground
needs, especially an archery hunter trying to get game within 30 yards, is to
be visually detected. The design
qualities appear to be effective and perform as intended.
The Intimidator blind also comes with several niceties that add to the
experience, such as the sealable electronic game call and camera lens openings,
an accessory shelf, bow holder, a removable floor and external ground skirt,
and tie down points for harsh, windy weather conditions. Although these extras are not functionally
requirements for the blind to operate as intended, they are nice to have and
all performed their functions quite well.
continued on page 2
Dewclaw Archery Supplies carries many other hunting ground blinds and accessories to help make your hunt successful.
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