After using the new willow blinds Saturday, I couldn't be more impressed. Instead of laying on cold wet ground, we sat on small chairs, which not only kept us warmer, but we could move around and see in all directions, and then shoot behind our spread if necessary. I must admit, I had my concerns about how the geese would react. but they came right in . One flock did flair at the last second, but that may have been due to fallen geese laying belly up, that we hadn't retrieved yet, because more geese were coming. It was also much easier to swing on birds while standing, rather than having to shoot while sitting. It's only been one hunt, but as far as I am concerned, I much prefer the willow blinds over layouts. The design that the boys came up with , using magnetic fronts that drop down, seemed far superior to the Avery and Zinc blinds that Cabelas is selling. I was going to take pictures, but my phone did not survived the wet conditions. My pants are goretex, but the outside pockets are definitely not waterproof.lol
Willow Blinds vs Layouts
- Thread starter stubblejumper
- Start date
the spank
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
I sold my layouts year before last. No more laying on cold, frozen or wet ground ever again. I’m getting too old and have far too many past injuries that ache for that game. Now it’s A-Frame style blinds or tuck into natural cover with an extra large fold out chair with side table and drink holder to put my ammo on and hold my water bottle and side pockets for wallet, etc. It’s much nicer standing to shoot and being able to see and work birds to the spread. It’s also much easier to work your calls when you’re seated upright in a comfy chair, not laying at a canted angle with your diaphragm under load from the angle as you push air into your call.
Was it a homemade job? Sounds interesting would love to see pictures of you get a chance next time. When having a munchkin or two want to come along and two of them now able to hunt it might be much nicer than having to be spread out in lay down blinds.
Home built by my hunting partner. I have no idea where he came up with the design.
prairie lover
CGN Regular
- Location
- southern MB
Sounds interesting. Could you post pics?
Ugh! and then it rains.
the spank
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
Not in manitoba clay I didn’t but southern ontario I did. I knew a fellow who had a 5’x19’x4’ deep pit with 10” poured concrete walls and floor with sliding roof panels. That was luxury!
We use layouts, but they sure got wet and ugly in Saturday’s snow storm! I have some a frame blinds built by a buddy here but seldom use it. When I was crippled up I used a blind I built from wire, burlap and swamp grass. It is nice to sit on a chair! They all seem to work but willow blinds sometimes standout in later Oct.
I made this one a few years ago. Once I had a trailer the bench blind was built for that season. I like the bench so no taking chairs, although I have "L' shaped extensions one for each end so we can accommodate 5 hunters easily so I need a chair for each if we use them. Much more comfortable and having the ability to shoot out the back has resulted in more birds many times.
This is with the extensions on each end
Basic frame although I added a shelf (eaves trough) on the front 2x2 and some pipes around the bottom for willows.
This is with the extensions on each end
Basic frame although I added a shelf (eaves trough) on the front 2x2 and some pipes around the bottom for willows.
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I made this one a few years ago. Once I had a trailer the bench blind was built for that season. I like the bench so no taking chairs, although I have "L' shaped extensions one for each end so we can accommodate 5 hunters easily so I need a chair for each if we use them. Much more comfortable and having the ability to shoot out the back has resulted in more birds many times.
This is with the extensions on each end
Basic frame although I added a shelf (eaves trough) on the front 2x2 and some pipes around the bottom for willows.
Looks comfortable, but too bulky for those of us that don't use trailers , and have to haul all our gear in our pickup.
leveractionjunkie
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Kamloops, BC
One of my favourite parts of waterfowling is the homemade gear, blinds, solutions to problems etc. Having said that one of these would sure be nice to keep a guy off the old ground: https://tanglefree.com/collections/blinds/products/360-solo-blind-marsh
Or for the full on group hunts a couple: https://tanglefree.com/collections/blinds/products/flight-series-panel-blind
They don’t have the charm of homemade but seem light, portable and versatile.
Or for the full on group hunts a couple: https://tanglefree.com/collections/blinds/products/flight-series-panel-blind
They don’t have the charm of homemade but seem light, portable and versatile.
