Kill Box in the Sky

Is that a bit much? Probably, but it sure sounds cool! I’ve been hunting the property my mom and stepdad (Jerry) own in Brownwood, Texas for about four years now. The first three were just a hope and a prayer; sitting out behind hay bales or along a fence line. Nada.

Last year, I decided to take it up a notch and bring in a ground blind. The ground blind didn’t yield anything but a view of a non-legal four point eating for like 45 minutes. It also flipped over in some strong rain – despite being staked down and tied to a tree. I just don’t think there’s enough cover out there for a ground blind to be concealing enough. So I thought I needed to get off the ground.

My buddy Ricky lent me his 15′ tripod stand. Bingo. The tripod produced meat in the freezer for both me and Mike. While I do appreciate the kindness of the loan, and the fact that it put meat in the freezer, the tripod was less than the most concealing – not to mention not too comfy – way to sit out and hunt a deer. So I thought, “let’s build a box blind”.

Jerry had partially disassembled a preexisting playscape type-deal from the previous tenants. That left us with a couple of platforms, roughly 4 ft x 5 ft and about 8 ft tall. These seemed like perfect prefab platforms on which to put a box in which to sit and try to shoot a deer. So, we took one of the platforms, laid it on the side, and added feet – to level it out – and sleds – to drag it into position with the tractor.

This was such a fun experience in itself. First, there was the thought that this was going to end up as a deer blind for me to hunt in. That was huge. Second, it was my first foray into welding. Let me tell you, cutting metal with fire is just about as cool as it gets – even in 95°. In just a couple of hours working the torch, Jerry taught me a ton – can’t wait to do it again!

A couple weeks later, we headed back to Brownwood to build the box. I had pretty shoddy plans for a four-posted, plywood-sided and topped box. Jerry shut that down real quick. First, there’s no way that was going to last even one season in the elements. Second, he doesn’t really do anything half-assed. Everything Jerry does is full-assed. So we built this sucker like a freaking house. Framed-out with 2x4s and everything. Thanks to my cousin Nick for the assist as well!

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The grand finale of our plan was to put this sucker in the back of the pickup, then lift it onto/into the platform. Ha! As solid as this thing was, it came in at about a metric ton, so “lifting” wasn’t an option. I wish we had time-lapsed this process, because it probably looked like a Benny Hill sketch. We tipped it up on one side, backed the truck up under the lifted side, and pushed it into the truck. Step 1 complete. We then backed the truck up to a six foot retaining wall, tipped it up from there, and slid it on ramps up on the retaining wall. Step 2 complete. Finally, we tipped it from the retaining wall, and slid it onto/into the platform – into which it fit like a glove. Step 3 complete.

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The final tally came in around $200 for materials. We’re still going to paint the inside, add Plexiglass windows, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, central a/c and heat, and a flat screen (windows and paint for real). In the end, this is going to be some pretty cushy hunting. I don’t mind the uncomfortable version of hunting, but if I have the option to increase my hunting opportunities in inclement weather and get up off the ground, I’ll take it. Also, this will allow the option to add another hunter or spectator – so if I can get the kiddos up and quiet, they can join in the fun. A lesson in patience for both father and child!

Stay tuned as the fall approaches as we get this thing finished out and sat in for the opportunity to make memories and delicious meat treats!