The back panel of the blind is made from 1⁄2-inch PVC and is a simple rectangular frame made using PVC elbows and tees. At the each outside end an extension allows downward facing PVC stubs to be inserted into upward turned 3⁄4-inch PVC elbows, which extend from the upper ends of the sides panels. This allows the rear panel to be lifted free for easy travel, access and setup.
Since the front of the boat is sharply angled, two front frame sections are used for concealment and access. They are also made of 1⁄2-inch PVC pipe. The rear of the top runner of each forward frame slides into an open 3⁄4-inch PVC end on the forward top runner of the side frames, entering about four inches deep in the manner of a telescope. The bottoms of the front panel corners have 1⁄2-inch PVC stubs facing downward to fit into 1-inch PVC sockets pointing upward at the center of the bow. All that is necessary to remove the front panels or rear panel is to lift them free.
The boat is painted to match the cornstalks, grass and other marsh vegetation. It is also important to paint the white PVC pipe, conduit and fittings.
Instead of using elaborate and expensive materials for the sides of the blind, Pilcher used his head by selecting the simplicity of decoy string. Multiple decoy lines are stretched and tied with a only a few inches separating them in between the blind uprights, with the lines running parallel to the bottom of the boat like the strings of a harp.
Bundles of grass are woven tightly between the taut decoy lines so the grass won’t blow off while the boat is being towed. If some bundles do blow off the blind, they are easily replaced with grass or cornstalks once the hunters arrive at their hunting site. Once it is set up at the hunting site, the blind can be further camouflaged by leaning grass or cornstalks against the blind.
North American Whitetall North American Whitetail is designed for the serious trophy hunter. It provides authoritative coverage of world-class whitetails, the latest approaches to deer management and advanced hunting techniques.
