6 Best Mr Buddy Heaters For Hunting Season for Long, Cold Sits

The cold seeps in slowly, then all at once. An hour before dawn, the chill in your ground blind starts in your toes and fingertips, creeping up your spine until you can’t stop shivering. Success in the field often comes down to patience, and you can’t be patient when you’re fighting the cold. A quality portable heater isn’t a luxury; it’s a tool that extends your time, focus, and opportunity. Mr. Heater has become the go-to name for reliable, portable heat, and choosing the right one for your specific blind and hunting style can be the difference between a miserable sit and a memorable harvest.

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Key Features to Consider for Hunting Blind Heaters

Before you pick a model, you need to know what you’re looking for. The most important factor is British Thermal Units (BTUs), which is simply a measure of heat output. A small, 1-person pop-up blind might only need 3,000-4,000 BTUs to take the edge off, while a large, multi-person box blind in the late season could require 18,000 BTUs or more.

Next, consider portability and fuel. Are you hiking a mile back to your spot or parking right next to it? A compact heater running on a single 1-pound propane canister is great for walk-ins. For a permanent blind, a larger unit with a hose and adapter for a 20-pound propane tank is far more economical and convenient for all-day warmth.

Finally, and most importantly, are the safety features. Any heater used in an enclosed space must have two critical functions: a low-oxygen sensor (ODS) that automatically shuts the unit off if carbon monoxide levels rise, and a tip-over switch that kills the flame if the heater gets knocked over. These are non-negotiable for use in a hunting blind or ice shelter.

Mr. Heater Little Buddy for Small, Enclosed Blinds

Imagine you’re tucked into a tight, one-person ground blind on a frosty November morning. Space is at a premium, and you carried everything in on your back. This is the exact scenario where the Little Buddy shines. It’s the most compact and lightweight option in the Buddy family, making it ideal for the mobile hunter.

The Little Buddy puts out 3,800 BTUs, which is just enough to warm your hands and create a small pocket of comfortable air around you in an enclosed space. It attaches directly to a 1-pound propane cylinder and heats at a 45-degree upward angle, which helps direct warmth toward you instead of the blind’s floor. It’s simple, effective, and won’t weigh down your pack.

The tradeoff is pure heating power. This unit won’t turn a frigid blind into a cozy cabin; it’s designed to make a cold sit bearable. For the solo hunter in a small pop-up who values portability above all else, the Little Buddy is an excellent, no-frills choice.

Mr. Heater Portable Buddy: All-Around Versatility

If you could only have one portable heater for a variety of situations, the Portable Buddy would be it. It’s the perfect middle ground for the hunter who uses different blinds, from a two-person pop-up to a more permanent wooden structure. It’s the workhorse of the lineup for a reason.

With two heat settings—4,000 and 9,000 BTUs—it offers the flexibility to adapt to changing conditions. On a cool morning, the low setting is plenty. When a real cold front moves in, the high setting provides serious warmth. It can run on a 1-pound cylinder for portability or be hooked up to a 20-pound tank with an adapter hose for long, comfortable sits.

This versatility comes with a bit more size and weight compared to the Little Buddy. But for most hunters, the added heating capacity and fuel flexibility are well worth the extra bulk. It’s the reliable, all-around performer that fits the widest range of hunting scenarios.

Mr. Heater Hunting Buddy for Stealth and Silence

You’re a bowhunter. The deer is just outside your blind, and the last thing you need is the loud clank of a heater igniting to send it running for the next county. The Hunting Buddy was designed specifically to solve this problem. It’s built for situations where silence is just as important as warmth.

While its 6,000 and 12,000 BTU settings provide ample heat, its standout features are the silent electronic ignition and a specially designed gas valve that reduces operational noise. It also includes a swivel regulator, which makes attaching a propane cylinder in the cramped quarters of a blind much easier.

This is a specialized tool. It’s heavier and more expensive than the standard Portable Buddy. But for the hunter who needs to eliminate every possible unnatural sound, those stealth-focused features make the Hunting Buddy the clear choice. It’s an investment in silence.

Mr. Heater Big Buddy for Large Blinds & Ice Huts

The late season has arrived, and the temperature is in the single digits. You and a friend are sharing a large box blind, or maybe you’re set up in an ice fishing shelter for the day. This is no place for a small heater; you need the kind of power that can combat a deep, penetrating cold.

The Big Buddy is the undisputed king of portable heat output, offering three settings: 4,000, 9,000, and a powerful 18,000 BTUs. It can run on two 1-pound cylinders or a bulk tank and features a built-in fan (powered by D-cell batteries or an AC adapter) to circulate warm air effectively throughout a larger space.

This is not a heater for long walk-in spots. It’s big, it’s heavy, and it’s designed for base camp-style comfort. When your priority is maximum warmth for multiple people in a large, enclosed area, the size and weight are a small price to pay for staying comfortable and focused in the harshest conditions.

Mr. Heater FLEX Buddy for All-Day Comfort & Cooking

For the hunter who settles in for an all-day vigil, comfort goes beyond just staying warm. Sometimes, a hot cup of coffee or a warm bowl of soup can completely reset your mindset. The FLEX Buddy system is designed for exactly this, combining a powerful heater with a modular cooking accessory.

The heater unit itself provides 8,000 or 11,000 BTUs of radiant heat. The magic is in the FLEX system, which allows you to attach a separate cooktop accessory that runs off the same fuel line. This integrated system is more stable and efficient than trying to balance a separate stove next to your heater.

This is a system for the dedicated, all-day hunter. It adds another piece of gear to manage, but the ability to safely and easily prepare a hot drink or meal without a separate stove is a massive morale boost. It transforms your blind from a simple shelter into a comfortable outpost.

Mr. Heater Golf Cart Heater for Open-Air Stands

Not all hunting happens in an enclosed blind. What about a ladder stand, a tripod, or a UTV with the doors off? In these open-air environments, a standard blind heater is ineffective and potentially unsafe. The Golf Cart Heater is a unique tool designed for this specific challenge.

This unit is a personal, directional heater. It fits neatly into a cup holder and uses a wind-resistant screen to project 4,000 BTUs of radiant heat directly at you, warming your core and hands without trying to heat the entire outdoors.

It is critical to understand this heater is for open-air use ONLY. It does not have a low-oxygen sensor or a tip-over switch, making it completely unsuitable and dangerous for an enclosed blind or tent. But for providing direct warmth in an exposed tree stand or while driving a UTV to your spot, it’s a perfectly designed solution.

Safety and Maintenance for Your Mr. Buddy Heater

Owning a portable heater comes with responsibility. The most important rule is to always ensure adequate ventilation. Even with a low-oxygen sensor, you must crack a window or vent in your blind to allow fresh air to circulate. This prevents the buildup of carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can be lethal.

Always maintain proper clearance. The front of these heaters gets extremely hot, so keep all flammable materials—including the walls of your blind, your backpack, and extra clothing—at least 18-24 inches away. Never fall asleep with a heater running, and never leave it unattended.

Before each season, inspect your heater. Check hoses for cracks or leaks using soapy water (if you see bubbles, you have a leak). Use compressed air to gently clean dust and debris from the pilot light assembly and thermocouple. Proper storage in a clean, dry place during the off-season will ensure your Buddy heater is reliable and ready to go when that first cold front hits.

The right gear doesn’t guarantee a successful hunt, but it does allow you to stay in the game longer, more comfortably, and more safely. Choosing a heater isn’t about finding the most powerful one; it’s about matching the tool to your specific style of hunting. Whether you need the ultralight convenience of a Little Buddy or the immense heating power of a Big Buddy, a little warmth can turn a cold, miserable sit into a season-defining memory. So make a smart choice, stay safe, and get out there.