If old guys can't be wise, maybe they can be a bit more careful....

MLBob Furia

MLBob Furia

Well-known member
Since hauling decoy bags, guns, layout blinds, and all manner of equipment across stubble fields seems to be getting a bit harder each season, one of my hunting partners and I finally gave in to an idea we've flirted with for the last few seasons.

One of the most productive stubble fields we've hunted over the years has two drainage ditches that cross it and which stay lined with cover after the fields have been harvested.

So this season we fabricated a blind to drop into the more shallow ditch with the idea that we can leave all the decoy bags inside it once we're done for the day. Since our goose season will run to mid February this year, the idea of a blind with a good wind-block and a heater was doubly appealing.

Another friend who runs a construction outfit donated 3 sturdy palettes for the floor; a 16 ft. cattle panel cut in half provided the framework; and my buddy Bill's welding and fabricating skills turned all the ideas ( - especially a flip-up / reversible top that allows us to adapt to set decoys & hunt any wind condition) into working reality. Should gun 3 people comfortably.

View attachment Blinda.jpg View attachment Blindb.jpg

We put most of it together in his heated metal working shop, and trailered it to the field Saturday morning. Spent a few hours cutting and bundling cover that matched the vegetation lining the ditch, and attaching it to the blind.

View attachment Blinde.jpgView attachment Blindh.jpg
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With any luck, the geese will show up and make us look good. At any rate, we've had a good time putting all this together, and will no doubt make good use of it - even if it is for long afternoon naps on overcast winter days ;-) ;-)
 
Good morning, Bob~

Great blind - I wish you many comfortable and productive adventures in it.

Your post title suckered me in: I had just - once again - cut my left thumb on the Forstner bit as I was hollowing a body on the drill press....I need to be wiser and be careful to keep a heavy, left-handed glove right near the press.

All the best,

SJS
 
Steve,
Ouch! Reminds me that Bill has the hands of a typical fabricator / welder. Covered with cuts and abrasions all the time. I need to start wearing some type of padded gloves when I work on the lathe - can hardly make a fist the next day!

John,
you are welcome anytime you're in the area.

Dave,
I do some of my best napping in the duck blind, be it a boat, layout, or whatever :-) At least the geese usuallyhave the courtesy to announce their arrival!

Went out there again yesterday afternoon and added about 10 more bundles of cut grasses to it. I also left 3 bags of decoys and a bag of silhouettes inside it.

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It's a standing joke on Bill's part that whenever we hunt geese, I always have to go out and move a few decoys at least 3 times until I'm satisfied that they're set "just right."
 
Looks good Bob, I have been thinking about doing something similar but keep losing permission in fields i used to hunt.

Good luck, i look forward to the images.
 
Well, no sooner was everything set to go, than snow fell and temps plunged to single digits for three days.

Supposed to warm to 50 and rain tomorrow (Sat.) ....go figure. But it's a long way 'til February 11 when things shut down.

Meanwhile the "rookie" is learning something every time out - even if it's patience and waiting quietly.

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And I appreciate every minute I get to spend in the corn stubble or on the River.

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Well, no sooner was everything set to go, than snow fell and temps plunged to single digits for three days.
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Bob,

I must say; what you have now, certainly looks to be a bit more comfortable and warmer than laying on the ground in a layout blind. I need to line up a field or two to hunt in. We have a large population of geese which will hang around thru thick and thin. Maybe when I can retire and have all day just to do what ever my heart desires,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ya maybe some day. Geez, now that I think about it, retirement sounds much like childhood. Are you enjoying being FIVE again? :>) :>)
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Do you get many birds that overfly the landing zone and drop-in behind your with that set-up?
 
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Dave, Final Approach sells a blind pad that straps to the seat sling in a layout blind. The filler material in the pad radiates body heat back to the blind occupant quite well.

https://www.rogerssportinggoods.com/final-approach-layout-blind-hot-seat-field-brown.html
 
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Well, no sooner was everything set to go, than snow fell and temps plunged to single digits for three days.
Click to expand...


Bob,

I must say; what you have now, certainly looks to be a bit more comfortable and warmer than laying on the ground in a layout blind. I need to line up a field or two to hunt in. We have a large population of geese which will hang around thru thick and thin. Maybe when I can retire and have all day just to do what ever my heart desires,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ya maybe some day. Geez, now that I think about it, retirement sounds much like childhood. Are you enjoying being FIVE again? :>) :>)
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Dave - Oh, for the flexibility and energy of a 5 year old !!

There's a lot to be said for those layouts - actually can get toasty warm with a small Jon-e or Zippo hand warmer.

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Every day is Saturday, Dave ;-) ;-)

Rick - I'll let you know if we have that problem. Been my experience that you never know how they'll decide to approach or what spot they'll pick. Sometimes it's just a matter of calling the shot on the best pass.
 
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