August 31, 2011
By Mark Romanack
Manufacturers have created amazing waterfowl blinds targeted at making our lives easier and our hunting experiences more rewarding. Most of these blinds are lightweight, portable and readily adaptable to different hunting situations. If the need exists, a blind has been engineered specifically for a task, and that includes blinds for waterfowl hunters and their four-footed hunting partners.
ROGERS SPORTING GOODS Rogers Sporting Goods offers the Goosebusters Layout Blind. Made of 900-denier fabric, the blind features a waterproof floor and sides, all-metal frame, comfortable headrest, large zippered foot opening, decoy flag pockets and numerous stubble straps. It is available in regular and XL sizes, and adorned with Realtree Max-4 camouflage. For late-season hunts, the Layout Blind Snow Cover will help you hide. The UV-washed snow covers are made to fit the Goosebusters blind, as well as most top models of Avery and FA Brand layout blinds.
AVERY OUTDOORS MIGRATOR M-2 Avery Outdoors The Migrator M-2 is large enough for any hunter, yet compact enough to hide easily even in skinny cover. Constructed from powder-coated aluminum tubing, heavy-duty polyester material and nylon hinges, the Migrator features a flagging port, zippered boot bag for clean out, head rest, padded back rest, offset doors to eliminate shadows and plenty of straps for completing the camouflage job.
TANGLEFREE LANDING ZONE Featuring a 600-denier cover and 120-denier floor, the Landing Zone from
Tanglefree fits large and tall hunters. The foot section folds up and snaps in place, allowing the blind to be stored easily even when fully grassed. Available in Natural Gear, Realtree Max-4, Mossy Oak Duck Blind and Dirt color options, the Landing Zone weighs just 20 pounds.
BEAVERTAIL GUNNER FIELD BLIND Ever have trouble getting to a shooting position when hunting from a field laydown-style blind? The Gunner Field Blind from
Beavertail features a spring assist system in the backrest that aids hunters to get to a sitting position quickly and with minimal effort. The blind is built of powder-coated aluminum frames with a 600-denier polyester cover, waterproof bottom, flagging ports, shell loops, extra gear pockets and a backpack strap for walk-in hunts.
EDGE BY EXPEDITE GEAR DOWN LAYOUT BLIND Sometimes it is not possible to drive into the field. The Gear Down Layout Blind from
Edge by Expedite is an ultra-lightweight blind that can be backpacked in, leaving hands free to carry guns, decoys and other gear. The blind's 1-inch powder-coated steel tubing framework is covered with water-resistant material, including a padded seat and pillow. The blind cover is attached to one side of the frame and functions with a simple throw-open design. No assembly is required.
HUNTER'S SPECIALTIES HITMAN LAYOUT BLIND Made of 900-denier fabric on the upper and 1200-denier fabric on the bottom, the Hitman Layout Blind from
Hunter's Specialties is ultra-tough. The patented Swift Set System enables the blind to be set up in seconds and fold flat for transportation and storage. An abundance of stubble straps allows natural vegetation to be added easily for maximum concealment. Other features include flagging ports and spring-loaded doors.
FA BRAND X-2 The X-2 is as low as low-profile field blinds get. At only 14 inches high, the X-2 is still plenty large for big guys. John Vaca of
FA Brand stands 6 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs 275 pounds, and considers the X-2 his favorite field blind. The blind features a built-in scabbard for a shotgun or goose flags, while the floor and doors are made of closed cell foam, making the blind exceptionally warm on bitter-cold days. Portability and super quick setup allow the blind to rank with models that cost much more.
FOILES MIGRATORS STRAIT STEALTH BLIND Foiles Migrators advances the design of layout blinds with the Strait Stealth Blind. It features an outside cover that stakes to the ground to eliminate shadows and the boxy look that can flare ducks and geese. The cover provides a place to hide blind bags and gear, and also shields the hunter from the wind. A lumbar support and fully adjustable padded seat keep hunters comfortable. The blind folds in half easily to convert to a backpack with a gun pouch.
GO-DEVIL GRASS BOAT BLIND The Grass Boat Blind from
Go-Devil is as close to simple perfection as boat blinds get. Designed from tube aluminum, the blind features a scissors design that can be adapted to any boat from 14 feet to 20 feet long. Plastic netting is attached to the frame to support a top dressing of Avery RealGrass to complete the job. The blind can be put on and taken off the boat in minutes. It can be stowed in the down position for trailering and when motoring to your hunting spot. The blind sets up in seconds and locks in position with a couple of brass snaps.
GATOR-TAIL DUCK BLIND BARGE At 10 feet long and 6 feet wide, the Duck Blind Barge from
Gator-Tail is large enough to seat three gunners, yet lightweight enough for the same three guys to pick it up and put it on a flatbed trailer. The all-aluminum, low-profile construction features a wealth of standard features such as brush holders and shell trays. Available options include an auto bilge pump, lockable cover, interior lights, stove tray, flip top, gun holders, drink holders and spud poles.
MUD BUDDY SHAGGY PRO HUNTER BOAT BLIND Made from hand-sewn strips of burlap, cotton, nylon and canvas stitched to a woven mesh backing, the Shaggy Pro Hunter Boat Blind from
Mud Buddy adapts to fit any boat. The four-season blind material blends in to any background, moves in the wind like natural vegetation and creates its own outline to break shadows. The framework is made of 1-inch diameter galvanized tubing and adapts to any square, V or modified-V style boat 14 to 20 feet long. The frame folds down in seconds, and the blind material rolls up to protect it while trailering.
WAR EAGLE DUCKTOON A pontoon boat decked out for duck hunting, the Ducktoon from
War Eagle is 11 feet long and 9 feet wide. Large enough for four to five hunters, this go-anywhere hunting platform is available painted in seven different licensed camouflage patterns. Sheets of Realgrass come standard for concealment. The Ducktoon can be moved using an electric trolling motor or towed into position.
CABELA'S NORTHERN FLIGHT BOAT BLINDS Designed to fit boats from 12 to 18 feet long with beams from 54 to 78 inches, Northern Flight Boat Blinds from
Cabela's are constructed of durable steel framing and come complete with all hardware and netting. Once installed, it takes only 30 seconds to set up or take down the blind. Eight straps secure the blind for trailering. Coverings include Marsh Grass, Prairie Grass or Seclusion 3D fabric. The Seclusion 3D fabric blind has stubble straps sewn in place to add natural vegetation or prairie grass.
HUNTER'S DESIGN BLINDS Tired of one-size-fits-all boat blind kits?
Hunter's Design provides a completely custom approach to creating a boat blind. Only the finest materials are used, including 1000-denier Cordura fabrics in the most popular camouflage patterns. Brackets are milled from solid billet aluminum, and the customer's input is designed into each and every blind. Hunter's Design doesn't produce a packaged product, but instead works with each customer to design a blind that fits the boat perfectly.
AERO OUTDOORS DEADLY DUCK MODULAR BLIND Made from tubing and fence material, these two-person blinds can be hooked together to accommodate four or six hunters. Designed to be covered with natural vegetation, fully grassed the Deadly Duck Modular Blind from
Aero Outdoors provides 100 percent concealment from overhead birds. The unique shape eliminates unnatural shadows, and the three-way shooting door allows the opening to be left open, the door flipped out or dropped in. Portable enough to be moved daily, the blind weighs just 55 pounds and is assembled using quick-connect pins.
PUT HUT DUCK BLINDS Ever hunted ducks while perched atop a muskrat hut? What if the muskrat hut could be set up anywhere you needed it? The
Put Hut is a unique option for duck hunters looking to hunt from open water that has little cover, but is shallow enough to wade. The canvas and wire construction is lightweight and easy to transport. Grassed up with raffia, the Put Hut provides the perfect blind for hunting sloughs, flooded crops and countless other places that don't have enough cover to hide a hunter.
HUNTING PITS UNLIMITED PRO PIT Looking for the ultimate pit blinds suitable for professional hunters, guides, gun clubs and outfitters? Pro-Pit blinds from
Hunting Pits Unlimited are built with double-seam welded steel construction to prevent leaks. Pits are 5 feet wide and 5 feet high, and are available in 12-foot, 14-foot, 16-foot and 18-foot lengths. All pits feature an 18-inch-wide wood seating bench and 24-inch open top.
RIVERFRONT HUNT CLUB Hunting clubs and outfitters will appreciate the
Riverfront steel-reinforced fiberglass hunting pits. Available in 12-foot and 24-foot models, these pits are available without a top so hunters can design their own or cover with a steel-reinforced fiberglass top. The blind is designed to allow shooting out the front or back.
CAMOUNLIMITED MILITARY SERIES CamoUnlimited produces blind-building materials, including the popular Military Series camo nets. These nets are green/brown reversible, reinforced with netting, available at retailers nationwide and made from UV-treated and rot-resistant waterproof materials. Designed to last for years in harsh conditions, the Military Series camo nets can be draped over brush, staked in place, pulled over boats, stapled onto box blinds used to cover pits and much more.
GIBSON DUCK BLIND COVERS Gibson Duck Blind Covers are a unique and functional way to camouflage a pit, box or boat blind. Rectangular in shape and designed to accept FastGrass or other natural materials, each frame is made of powder-coated steel. Available in 3-foot, 4-foot, 5-foot and 6-foot panels, Gibson Duck Blind Covers can be purchased with or without grass installed.
D&M OUTDOOR PRODUCTS ULTIMATE BLIND DOOR The
Ultimate Blind Door works by sliding down into the pit or blind out of the way and providing the shooter with a clear field of view and less movement to flare birds. The Ultimate Blind Door slides on a conduit frame and can be covered with FastGrass or other camo materials. Designed to install quickly and easily, the door only requires support at the top and bottom. Available in four sizes to fit a variety of blinds, they are made with powder-coated aluminum and poly materials to withstand and work in all weather conditions.
RIG 'EM RIGHT FIELD BULLY DOG BLIND Made to last, the Field Bully Dog Blind from
Rig Em' Right features the trademarked and patent-pending Bullycoil set-up system that contains no pins, hinges or poles. Setup is instant and takedown is almost as quick. The triangle shape provides plenty of room for the dog and keeps the profile low. Vegetation straps allow for adding natural cover, and the dog can access the blind from both a front and rear door. Made of heavy-duty Max-4 HD fabric, it features a padded floor.
TANGLEFREE HOUND HIDE A low-profile dog blind that stands 16 inches tall, the Hound Hide from
Tanglefree has a 4-inch creep lip at the bottom of the door, which forces your dog to stay hidden inside of the blind. It also has a zippered rear door for hunters who prefer to run double doors for the retriever. A sturdy, corrosion-resistant frame is the backbone, but it folds down flat for convenient transport and storage. The blind is available in Realtree Max-4, Mossy Oak Duck Blind, Natural Gear and Tanglefree Dirt camouflage patterns.
