Cover your layout blind with a coat of mud and stubble for concealment.

Mudding is a technique used by expert waterfowl hunters to break in a layout blind and make it easier to hide in the field, especially dirt fields with very little foliage.

Out of the box, a layout blind won’t provide the level of concealment that you need. In order to blend in with your surroundings—whether that means stubble, corn stalks, or plain dirt—you need to apply natural camouflage to the blind, using mud and/or vegetation.

Get Rid of the Shine

The first thing to get rid of is unnatural shine from the blind material. Any material that flashes in the sun can makes birds shy away from your blind. American Hunter recommends roughing up the fabric with a wire brush to break up some of the shine and to make it easier for the mud to stick to the blind.

If you want to paint your blind a different color, now is the time to do it. Use an ultra-flat paint to eliminate any shine.

Mud It Up

The next step is to apply mud. Collect dirt from the fields where you hunt, or use dirt with similar color and properties to match the area in which you’ll be hunting. Mix this dirt with enough water to make a paste. Then use an old paintbrush or broom to apply the mud to the blind. Let the mud dry. Leave the layout blind outside for a few days; then slap it with another coat of mud for good measure. When the mud is completely dry, shake the blind gently to remove any loose dirt and to keep the dirt from falling into your eyes while you’re hunting.

Add some stubble and vegetation to your conceal your blind in the field, and you’re ready to go!

KillZone layout blind in the field

“Well it arrived today. It has a powder coat metal frame, not aluminum. Doesn’t matter to me. It seems like there might be some kind of insulation in the bottom of the feet area. Very roomy, but the side zippers are kind of small. I think it will be very hard to flag with them. The back rest, head support seemed comfy, nothing under my butt or shoulders. The cushion seemed ok. It has heavier material that most, and the floor feels like it has some kind of rubberized coating. It is only khaki color, but with a little help and time should be ok.”

After some back-and-forth bantering, another hunter replied, “I really hope the blind works out. If it does you got it for a heck of a steal. As for flagging out the sides, I find that to be a pain in most blinds. I try it every now and then but I usually find myself keeping it right behind my blind with the handle just a few inches from my head. That seems to be the only place I can always find it when I need it.”

Kelly then responded with some further comments on the new layout blind: “I don’t know what it will be like in the field, and I know it will take a lot of stubble to camo it up, but it seems comfy in the garage. Just takes a little getting used to. I have never been in one before, so I’m not a good judge. I have a Cabelas brand (used), and an F A SUB (new) coming. So I will have something to compare too.

So far I like the Kill Zone, my Cabelas doesn’t cover your face, but it has a lot more inside room and more comfortable head and back support. I think the Kill Zone has heavier fabric and better supports for the doors. The KZ also has thin insulation on foot box floor, the Cab. Doesn’t.”

You can find out more about the KillZone Lay ‘n Slay© Hunting Blind on our website, with more layout blind reviews from other hunters just like you.

The Lay ‘n Slay blind is perfect for duck, goose, and other waterfowl hunting. It’s packed with the latest features, including:

• Doors that close in a flash with quick pull cords and fling open with minimal pressure
• Flag ports that allow you to grab and wave your flag while staying completely hidden
• A flag tube and ammunition pouch for convenient storage inside the blind
• A face concealment screen that can be tucked under for a clear view of the sky
• A zippered opening at the foot of the blind that lets you dump out all the shells at the end of the day
• Stubble straps all the way down the length of the blind for brushing it in any way you want to

See the Lay ‘n Slay waterfowl blind in action in this video, then swing on over to our Lay ‘n Slay product page to check out the blind for yourself! Now only $99!

Stay warm and dry with a layout blind.

Layout Blinds are…

1. Warmer – The heavy canvas material protects you from the wind during cold weather.
2. More Comfortable – The padded backrest keeps you comfortable while you wait.
3. Dry – The bottom of the blind is padded for extra comfort and to keep cold and moisture from seeping into the blind.
4. Well Camouflaged – The layout blind camo is a quick and easy way to hide yourself from the birdseye view of the ducks above you. Add a little natural camouflage to the blind, and you’re set to go!
5. Well Designed for Overhead Viewing – The layout blind hides you from view without blocking your view of the sky overhead.
6. Convenient – The storage pockets inside give you room to store your gun, ammo, flags, and other gear.
7. Quick and Easy to Set Up – Setting up your layout blind is much easier than digging a pit (which in some states is illegal). You can spend less time getting ready to hunt and more time shooting ducks.

Why Goose Hunt with Decoys?

The right decoy placement will help hide your goose blind.

As the season progresses, geese wise up to shoddy decoys, so use decoys that are as realistic as you can afford—full-bodied, if possible, or a mix of full-bodied decoys, shells, and silhouettes. Realistic goose decoys will increase the success rate of your hunting.

Tips for Decoy Spread Placement

• You can start by setting up your decoys in the traditional U, V, J, or circle pattern, but alter the pattern slightly to give it a more natural look.
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• Pay attention to the wind. Never face all your decoys into the wind. This position signals that the geese or ducks are ready for takeoff. Face the decoys in various directions to the wind at all different angles.
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• Factor in a “landing zone” (such as the open curve of the “U” or “J” shape) where you hope the incoming birds will land. Arrange your decoys around this open space to try to control where the birds land.
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• Add a small family group of geese downwind of the other decoys, as if they’ve just landed and are making their way towards the rest of the group.
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• Set up your layout blind upwind of the landing zone and right in the thick of your decoys. The decoys will help hide your blind and keep the birds from landing on top of you. If possible, place the blind in a dip to keep a low profile. The hunting blind should be within easy range of the landing zone. Take into account that the geese may not land directly in the landing zone.
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• Geese find safety in numbers, so they will be more likely to land in areas where…
  1. There are plenty of other geese.
  2. The geese are relaxed and naturally feeding (not wary, alarmed, or all looking up).
  3. There is movement (use flags or motion stakes to simulate movement).
• The more decoys you use, the easier it will be for the birds to spot them as they approach the field. More decoys attract larger flocks of geese. The larger the flock you hope to attract, the more decoys you’ll need to set out. For smaller, family groups of geese, two to four dozen decoys should be adequate. For larger flocks of geese (over 100 geese), you may need over 100 decoys.

As any hunter knows, these decoy tips may or may not work on any given hunt. Depending on the weather, location, how the geese are responding to your decoy spread, and other factors, you may need to change up your game plan. Good luck goose hunting!

This official hunting day focuses specifically on youth ages 15 and younger. The adult who accompanies these youth is not allowed to carry a firearm or to shoot. Adult mentors are encouraged to share their knowledge while allowing the youth to actively engage in hunting and shooting. The whole day is designed to be a fun, positive experience for youth, encouraging them to be a part of the rich heritage of waterfowl hunting.

If you are an avid hunter, why not take a kid hunting this weekend and pass your love for hunting on to the next generation? Check your state hunting website to find out more about Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day.

Duck hunting blinds offer protection, concealment, and quick setup.

• Protection from the wind
  Duck season is when the colder weather starts to set in. Even though a duck blind doesn’t seem like it would be very warm, it’s better than getting caught out in the cold wind and rain. Laydown blinds offer some measure of protection and take the edge off of the cold weather. The more comfortable you are, the easier it will be to wait until you’ve got the perfect shot.
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• Concealment from the ducks
  A duck’s eyesight is far superior to a human’s, which means you either need to freeze at the first hint of an approaching flock or use a duck hunting blind to conceal your movements. Most hunters opt for a duck blind. It allows them to shift positions, get ready to shoot, and scratch their noses.
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• Quick setup
  Setting up a waterfowl blind is quicker and easier than digging a pit and gathering all of your camouflage. With a camouflaged duck blind, you’ve already got a head start. Just slip some natural vegetation into the stubble straps, and you’re ready for the action.
]]> http://www.killzonehunting.com/blog/duck-hunting-blind-advantages/feed/ 0 http://www.killzonehunting.com/blog/waterfowl-hunting-2/ http://www.killzonehunting.com/blog/waterfowl-hunting-2/#comments Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:26:34 +0000 Esther http://www.killzonehunting.com/blog/?p=187 Continued from Waterfowl Hunting 101 – Part 1.

Another way to scout an area is to ask local residents what they’ve seen around the area. Even mailmen or others who frequent the area may be able to give you some tips.

Study the flight path and typical landing areas of the waterfowl you hunt. Find out where the birds want to be, so that when you come back to hunt, you set up in their favorite spot. If you choose the wrong location and try to call the birds to where you want them to land, all your calling and pleading may fail if the birds choose to land just out of shooting range.

Despite all your best scouting efforts, changes in weather or a sudden shift in the birds’ habits can turn a hot spot into a cold one, so be prepared to change your strategy if necessary.

If you hunt on public land, try to find spots with less hunting pressure. These areas are generally harder to get to, but they will be worth the effort, and fewer hunters will attempt to take over your spot if it’s cumbersome to reach.

To beat the hunting pressure, you can also try arriving earlier or staying later than other hunters, or you can use the opposite strategy of your competition—for example, set out more or less decoys than other hunters in the area.

]]> http://www.killzonehunting.com/blog/waterfowl-hunting-2/feed/ 1 http://www.killzonehunting.com/blog/waterfowl-hunting-1/ http://www.killzonehunting.com/blog/waterfowl-hunting-1/#comments Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:18:00 +0000 Esther http://www.killzonehunting.com/blog/?p=183


Spotting scopes let you observe from a distance.

The most successful hunting trips are typically the result of scouting. If you want to bag a few birds, you’ve got to put in time beforehand to know where your best hunting spots will be. Scout out the area first and you’ll have something to shoot at later.
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The best way to scout for waterfowl is to find the birds’ roosting area and feeding grounds. The feeding grounds may change every few days as the food supply in the area becomes scarce or picked over by the birds, so don’t wait too long to hunt after scouting out a feeding area. Birds tend to feed fairly close to the roost, so even if they move on you, most likely they haven’t gone too far.

Keep yourself as hidden and unobtrusive as possible. A spotting scope allows you to keep a safe distance away but still get a good look at the game. After the birds clear the area, you can move in for a closer look. Note the exact location of the birds by looking for feathers, scat, and other telltale signs of your prey.

A good hunter knows his prey. Find out which senses are keenest and adjust your strategy accordingly. Cover your scent and stay downwind as much as possible. Conceal yourself with camouflage, don’t make any sudden moves, and use adequate cover.

Know the habits of the game birds that you’re hunting. Know their feeding times, movements throughout the area, and what they consider home base. Know their fears and hesitations as well.

…Continued in Waterfowl Hunting – Part 2.

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