First Look: Down & Out Panel Blind

Ground blinds offer arguably the highest level of concealment possible when hunting eye-level with your quarry, but setup and teardown can be quite the hassle, particularly if your favorite spot is miles from you truck or camp. Hawk is looking to make this process a thing of the past, with the Down & Out XL ground blind. With its patented BlindFold technology, not only can this blind be set up in less than five minutes and torn down in one, it is built to withstand snow and harsh weather, meaning it can be left in place all season.

Dimensioning out at 96-inches in diameter and 78-inches tall at its peak, the Down & Out XL draws its weatherproofing from the 600-denier No-Shine Cordura fabric that makes up each of its six foldable panels. Each panel is secured to a powder-coated aluminum frame, and five of them include a 13X25" vertical window, and a 23X14" horizontal window with built-in gun rails to accommodate 360-degree shooting with vertical bows, crossbows and guns. All windows are additionally comprised of an inside fabric with a silent elastic cord/clip system, and outer camouflage shoot-through mesh windows with quiet magnetic closures. The door panel is also sealed magnetically, measuring 48x60" for easy access and wheelchair accessibility. 

The entire assembly can be constructed without tools (to include the roof struts, which are hefty enough to support a load of snow). All-steel stakes bind the structure to the ground, though the blind is compatible with Muddy Deluxe 5- and 10-ft towers for elevated use. The blind is additionally compatible with the Down & Out Custom Accessory Hanger, so gear can be kept off the floor. 

The blind's total weight is around 81 pounds, all of which can be packed up and carried in the included case. For more information, please visit downandoutblinds.com.