IT’S THE EARLY MORNING, YOU’RE TIRED, IT’S COLD, YOU HAVEN’T EVEN FINISHED YOUR FIRST CUP OF COFFEE YET, BUT YOU’VE GOT A JOB TO DO IF YOU WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL. WHEN IT COMES TO WATERFOWL HUNTING, A WELL-BUILT BLIND IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE WHOLE HUNT. THESE BIRDS HAVE INCREDIBLE EYESIGHT AND IF THEY SEE ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY, THEY WON’T COME IN CLOSE ENOUGH TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO GET A SHOT.
Take the time to create your blind to match your surroundings to a T. To help you, we’ve asked a handful of successful waterfowl hunters from around the Pacific Northwest and the rest of the continent for their tips on building your blind the right way so you’ll have a successful and exciting hunt. Here’s what they had to say:
WHEN IT COMES TO WATERFOWL HUNTING, A WELL-BUILT BLIND IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE WHOLE HUNT
“In dry fields, when brushing layouts or freshening them up each morning, get stubble or brush from somewhere other than where you are hunting. I’ve seen a lot of guys use brush from right around where they are hunting and they end up creating a bare spot all around their hides. It creates an unnatural look! Take the time and get your brush from a great distance. Stay as natural as possible!!! And remember, there are no straight lines in nature. Brush your hard edges to look natural!
In Arkansas we use an immortal ton of oak brush. Cut the brush while leaves are still green and your leaves will stay on the branch MUCH longer. Oak leaves are broad leaves and you get much more bang for your buck when brushing! Just when you think your blind is fully brushed, keep going! Your blind may look great for early to mid season, but you’ll wish you had brushed more in the month of January, when your brush begins to look barren and there isn’t a leaf on a tree anywhere!”
-
Paul Shirley – Guide: Southern Prairie Outfitters
1 of 1
“I always start by matching my surroundings. Be as natural as possible. Step back at the first half hour of good light and really dissect everything. You’ll know how good your hide is by the third flock.”
-
John VanWingerden – Guide: Safety’s Off Guide Service
Step back at the first half hour of good light and really dissect everything. You’ll know how good your hide is by the third flock.”
“For layout blinds, run a thin bungee cord through the stubble straps of the layout blind. Makes it easier and takes less time stuffing blinds with brush. Also helps with holding the brush for the duration of the hunt.”
-
Trevor Austin – Owner: Pacific Calls & Honkstomper Guide Service
