Willow blind pictures
 

Hi guys
I've been out of waterfowling for a few years. I would like to build a willow blind out of some snow fence I have.probably just big enough for my son and myself.Before anyone says just buy a layout blind,I know they work we've used them and shot a lot of birds but they just aren't too comfortable imo. Any pictures or help would be appreciated.

I had one from chicken wire about 12 ft long. Just thread in straw and bull rushes. pound in 4 stakes and wrap it around. When finished just roll it up.
I used mine for years, worked great.

Some farmers don't like the chance of weeds on their fields so straight willows is what I used for years with lots of success. People are going back to them down south on some forums I read. They claim geese and ducks are looking for layout blinds and any inconsistency in the land makes them flare more than the old fashioned willow blind.

Back east if you tried to make a green blind that blended in with the living vegetation you would get skunked more often than not. Build a blind out of black dried eel grass and it stuck out like a sore thumb and birds were not bothered in the least.

I haven't got pictures but they're pretty straight forward. Some chicken wire, rebar stakes and cattail/ willows to fill. They work great, especially with little kids compared to a lay down blind.

We use a bale blind as our frame.

http://www.cabelas.ca/product/68997/...hayhouse-blind

This a panorama shot of our first shoot of the season. I see there's a few blocks yet to set to the right of the blind.

https://i.imgur.com/fAkm2Zo.jpg

I've used 6 inch concrete mesh. Chicken wire seems to me like it would be more hassle weaving the willow into it.

Don't make it too wide. A bungee cord across the top in the middle will help pull it together making it harder to see down into the blind.

I've shot plenty of birds out of a willow blind. Much more comfortable and I shoot much better I find.

Good luck!

Been field hunting waterfowl for a few years now, and willow blinds are all I e ever used

I went back to a willow blind a few years ago when I got a trailer. Setup is about 5 minutes now. Main blind is six feet long, holds 3 adults easily. I also have an add on "L" blind for each end, so it can hold 5 easily if need be. Much easier to see, and the old knees like it better to.
https://i.imgur.com/rkm8AAn.jpg?1

Way easier on old cranky backs, necks and elbows too.

Yup. Took my layout back. Hay bale blind much better

Blind Frames
 

I have used hog panels and cut them to a desired length. Easy to attach branches and grass. They can be used for garden peas during the off season.

I have also found 4 X 4 panels ( gates) at the businesses that provide metal fence.

Square metal bar stock with burlap
 

Been years since I used to do field shoots, a lot of miles and door pounding as opposed to water which is much easier, but in the day...

Using 1/2 square bar stock, 5 foot verticals. Tack a round pipe 3/4 "ID on both sides near the top of the sold bar stock.

Take 1/4 round bar and make it the length of the distance post to post. The horizontal bent at an L drop into the receivers on the vertical post. Take Burlap and lay it out, and wire it to the vertical posts. You are looking for 4 foot burlap for the blind, which is not easy to find any more.

Take stove wire and make a loop and push through the top of the burlap. This keeps the burlap taught to the frame Take some brown, black, and green paint and paint on verticals and angle stripes on the burlap to break up the burlap.

In the field, just pound in the vertical post and spread out the burlap, put on the horizontal bar, and drape the burlap tight to the horizontal bar supported between the two vertical bars.

The final evolution of this blind had three front vertical posts with 3 foot spacing, two side panels but 4 feet horizontal, and two long rear panels that overlapped so you could not see into the blind from the back.

Late season the problem with willow is getting them into the hard ground.

Best approach was again 1/2 " solid bar cut to a point 18 inches long, and the other end a section of 4 " pipe welded on to the solid bar. Ram the 1/2 " bar into the ground, and have the bar about 1 foot out of the ground. Stuff the pipe with willows. You need about 6 of these on the front and 6 in the back to support the willows in front and in back of the blind, but the willows will stand upright nicely in the bracket, where trying and stuffing sharp willow ends in in the hard ground will just make you cry.

Drewski

Thanks fellas
And gals