Disclaimer: TideWe gave me this hunting blind to do this review, and they have given me other gear. I earn from qualifying purchases using their links and code, thanks to them for their support.
George here, and in this post, I want to review the TideWe Waterfowl Hunting Pop Up Panel Blind, which I have found to be a very useful and effective tool.
I have hunted with this blind and walked out of the woods a big fan of this piece of equipment. I’ve been looking for something like this for years, and depending on how you hunt, a blind like this could be a big help.
Also, TideWe gave me this 18% off discount code. GK18, that you can use at checkout for the TideWe Waterfowl Pop Up Panel Blind. This discount applies to most things on TideWe’s website and stacks on top of most sale prices.
Filling a Longtime Need
Now, this blind fills a niche that I’ve been trying to fill since early on in my waterfowl hunting career, and it does the best job of anything that I have used thus far.
The way I often hunt—when I’m hunting out of a blind anyway—is I’ll pack into an area or pull a sled in to some water, such as a creek or a small pond. I’ll set up an impromptu blind near the water’s edge, trying to use vegetation or brush for cover.
It can be very challenging when you’re trying to build something on site. Sometimes there’s just not enough material or brush available. In the past, I’ve brought in camo netting and tried to drape it over sticks or poles that I’ve brought with me, and while that worked reasonably well, this pop-up panel blind works so much better in numerous ways.
Portability & Easy Setup
This blind is relatively light, weighing only about 13 lbs., and it folds up into a compact carrying bag. I can easily throw that bag on my sled or carry it in over my shoulder.
There are a lot of good blinds on the market, but I specifically wanted something that was:
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Lightweight and easy move and reposition
- Sturdy enough to survive the wind and elements
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Compact to transport on foot
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Simple to assemble without requiring tools or tubes
The main front section pops out using standard pop-up hubs just like a regular popup ground blind, and the two side panels pop out and then zip right onto the sides. I had no problem doing this before dawn while using a headlamp.
Versatility & Capacity
If you’re hunting solo, you might not even need the side panels of the TideWe Waterfowl Pop Up Panel Blind depending on the natural cover you have available.
With the side panels attached, though, it offers a great amount of room. I hunted in this with another hunting buddy, and we could have easily fit another person—maybe even two more, depending on their size and how wide you spread the panels.
You have flexible setup options:
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Box configuration: Angle the side panels inward to create three-sided box cover. This fits two or three people easily.
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Straight line: Extend it longways to maximize frontage if you already have solid side cover. This setup can accommodate three to four people easily, possibly more.
Field Concealment & Practical Features
How well does it work from a concealment standpoint?
On the first day of the season, we had ducks drop into our hole and swim around for the better part of an hour. They swam back and forth and from right to left, eventually working right into shooting range, and we left the woods with some of those birds. They had no idea we were there.
Key Built-in Details
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View Holes: Something I liked more than I expected were the viewing holes near the top. When birds were on the water, I could slide my head over, check what they were doing, and then move back back, blow my call, or adjust gear without spooking them.
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Dog Doors: Easy-to-open bottom doors for your retriever when it’s time to send them out.
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Shell Loops & Pockets: It includes interior shell loops and gear pouches. I didn’t think I’d use them at first, but once my hunting partner started loading his shells into them, I did the same—they were very handy.
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Stakes & Tie-Downs: The blind comes with ground stakes and tie-down ropes to secure it against heavy weather. I didn’t need them on since it wasn’t overly windy, but they could be very helpful under the right conditions.
I also like the material; it feels durable and should stand up well to field use.
Size wise, the blind is about 46″ tall, which is a height I really like. I prefer walls that high for concealment, so I have to stand up off of my stool to shoot. If the walls are too low, I don’t feel like I get enough cover from the air. You can see the rest of the dimensions in the image below.
Price & Comparison
Another huge factor for me is the price point. As of this writing, with my 18% off discount code stacked on top of the current sale price, this blind comes in at around $132 to $148 depending on your color choice.
Comparing that to traditional full A-frame blinds with fixed walls on both sides, this setup is significantly more practical for my style of hunting. Those larger full A-frame blinds add extra weight and hassle that I simply don’t want to haul into the woods.
Coming in significantly cheaper, lighter, and easier to pack in and out, the TideWe panel blind is a much better fit for my mobile waterfowl hunting style.
Final Verdict
I definitely recommend the TideWe Waterfowl Pop Up Panel Blind to anyone interested in a lightweight and portable A-frame style blind for duck hunting. I’ve a big fan of it. I think TideWe makes some really good hunting gear for the money, which is why I’m happy to partner with them. I only wish I would have discovered this years ago.
Be sure to listen to The New Hunters Guide Podcast and check us out on YouTube.
Till next time. God bless you, and go get em in the woods!
George Konetes Ph.D. – Founder and Host of the New Hunters Guide.
The New Hunters Guide is simply what George wishes he would have had when learning how to hunt; a single place to get practical hands on knowledge about different kinds of hunting, gear, strategy, and tips that can improve your comfort and fun factor in the woods.
As a note, TideWe gave me this hunting blind to do this review, thanks to them for their support.