I was skeptical after reading the negative things about layout blinds on the site for years. I bought one last year for a waterfowl trip and decided to try it in a huge cornfield full of migrators. These birds were not gonna be here long because of the crazy weather and temps in the teens. This cornfiled is huge and I have driven the wheels off my truck scouting. When I seen the waves of crows in this field I almost blew a valve!!! The first shoot I killed 62 and educated about 7000, next day killed 20 and it was done. I watched the birds head south ahead of this massive cold front that is on us now. The only thing that I did different with my blind is leave it on the deck in the back yard from the end of march til the middle of august. The sun dulled the fabric. There was a ditch at the edge of the field that had grass and sedge for camo. I had to switch to a modified choke (which is against my religion) to keep from blowing the birds apart. Lots of shots were made with birds less that 15 yards!!! I mean they were in my face. They had no idea. Some came in when the doors were open I just didn't blink til they were over ripeI had 4 types of decoys deployed. 2 Assault crows, 2 Uzells, GHG aggresive callers and all my feeders., As well as my boondockers. My kite spooked em for some reason so it stayed in the bag. It was cloudy and I had the wind 12 mph to my back. Moral to the story Lay outs work when properly applied
-- Edited by chip on Monday 25th of November 2013 01:17:29 AM
-- Edited by chip on Monday 25th of November 2013 01:19:05 AM
Good shooting and thanks for the report & pics. Glad your scouting finally paid off and the crows paid the price.
My take on layout blinds for crows: Yes they work, but I hate them if you are in any type of volume shooting. You give up a lot of room for storage. You limit your range of shooting. You limit the amount of movement you can make VS being in a more traditional blind, plus you get an increased amount of shooting at birds that may see you just before the shot.
As far as storage for a large volume shoot, couldn't you just put the shells next to you under a large camo jacket, or more, with the camo side up?
And Bob, that's a good way to get a six pack, while having fun.
Agreed fellas but I will say this!!! It depends on the quality of blind you buy, I got a cadillac and it makes it real easy to come up. I had my shell bag next to my lay out and kept an open box with me at all times in the lay out. And as far as the beer belly goes I will bet any of you a case of gun club loads that I can drink beer with the best of you As you can see from any pic I put on the site I own stock in Anheuser Busch Daddy likes his Bud.........
It is interesting that you posted this. This past weekend I was in a layout blind waiting for some Canadas to fly near. Crows were very active and many flew right over within 20 yards, even lingered with some curiosity. I was so tempted to pop a few when the opportunity presented itself, however, geese were nearby and I wanted to get them in close instead. I lost both opportunities as the geese flew to another near by field. Also, shooting crows with 3" BBs is more costly than planning a regular hunt with lead. I opened the blind and held a bead on a couple and they did not flare, but just casually flew off, and remained near by.
I don't see why a blind wouldn't be a opportunity to conceal, though getting used from popping up and shooting takes some practice. I wouldn't rule it out....
John
-- Edited by ecuchief on Monday 23rd of December 2013 12:21:28 PM
I always wanted to do that because i knew they would work! One good reason if nothing else you did not present any thing new on the horizon! So it has to be an almost ideal blind! I don't have one simply because I don't have any truck to haul it around in!
Also you don't have to think about trees pushing them up there...everything looks perfect there!
I had 4 types of decoys deployed. 2 Assault crows, 2 Uzells, GHG aggresive callers and all my feeders., As well as my boondockers. My kite spooked em for some reason so it stayed in the bag. It was cloudy and I had the wind 12 mph to my back. Moral to the story Lay outs work when properly applied
Daddy likes his Bud.........