How to Build a Duck Blind

How to Build a Duck Blind

As summer cools into fall, that means only one thing for waterfowl hunters across the country — the start of duck season is just around the corner. With season lengths and bag limits now being announced earlier than in previous years, you can start planning for hunting season months in advance. From scouting for the best spots to monitoring flight patterns of your favorite migratory bird species, you can prepare to have the best duck hunting season of your life. If you want to down as many ducks as possible this season, building an awesome duck blind may be your ticket to success. A good duck blind will allow you to hide comfortably for effective hunting all season.

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Building a Duck Blind

Location is everything when it comes to building a duck blind that will produce the results you want. A sturdy, well-concealed blind will go to waste if it is not built in an area with a good duck supply. Scouting before the season starts is the best way to identify prime duck hunting spots. Look for areas with an ample supply of food, as well as access to wetlands and good vegetation cover. Observe your possible locations for patterns of ducks to see when and where ducks are flocking. As conditions change during the season, certain areas may dry up or run out of food supply causing ducks to move upstream. Finding several good spots will allow you to relocate if conditions or supply become poor. Areas with heavy hunting pressure may also run out of duck supply early in the season. Finding a hard to reach or isolated hunting spot can provide a good duck supply without the competition with other hunters. Once you have found a prime area to settle in for the season, you are ready to construct your duck blind.

Best Duck Blind Location

Below are a few more things to consider when selecting a spot for your homemade duck blind:

  • Prevailing wind direction: Ducks will land into the wind almost every time. For the best shot, you will want the opening of your blind to face into the wind for a head-on shot or perpendicular to the wind for a side angle shot.
  • Location of the sun: The location of the sun at your preferred hunting hour also impacts the best location for a blind. Whether you swear by early morning duck hunting or love cool evening hunts, you will want the sun behind you for the most success. This will prevent glare from harming your shooting accuracy, as well as helping to keep your blind unnoticed by the fowl. Sun shining into your blind will attract the ducks’ attention and scare them off.
  • Conditions of the ground: Whether you are hunting in a field or by the water, it is important to consider the conditions of the ground. Dry ground provides more stability for your blind and is best for a permanent structure. Muddy or marsh areas may work well for a temporary blind, but could be prone to flooding that would damage your structure.
  • Natural cover in the area: When you are scouting in the spring or summer, an area may have bushy vegetation that looks like perfect concealment for a blind. However after the leaves fall in autumn, your blind could be left exposed. Choose a spot with vegetation like grasses or brush that will provide consistent cover into the winter if you plan to use that spot all season.

Temporary vs. Permanent Duck Blinds

Temporary vs. Permanent Duck Blinds

Building a duck blind can be as simple as tying grasses together to conceal you as you squat in the timber or as elaborate as a large wooden blind built to accommodate your whole hunting party on the edge of the marsh. Temporary and permanent blinds both have their own benefits and downfalls, but either type can be effective at improving your hunting yield.

One of the primary benefits of a temporary blind is that you do not have to commit to one hunting location for the whole season. Temporary blinds allow you to try a different spot each day, or even move during the day if the ducks are not flocking. Permanent blinds often provide more comfort for long days spent in the timber and are sturdy to withstand weather and wind. Permanent blinds will also age with the environment to become better concealed and appear more natural each year.

Once you’ve decided to build your own duck blind, you need to consider your goals and capabilities to choose the type of blind that will work best for you.

1. When to Build a Temporary Duck Blind

Pros and Cons of Permanent Duck Blinds

  • If you want mobility: The most compelling reason to build a temporary duck blind instead of a permanent one is the ability to move with the birds. If you notice a change in duck activity in the area or if your spot gets flooded, you can pick up and move to a better location.
  • If you do not own the land: While it may be a hunter’s dream to have hundreds of fowl flocking your own backyard, not all of us will be able to hunt on land we own. When you are shooting on state game lands or other public lands, you may not be permitted to construct a permanent blind. Constructing an effective temporary blind that can be taken down at the end of the day will be your best route.
  • If you want to pack up at the end of the season: Depending on the materials and construction of your temporary blind, it may be strong enough to stand through the whole season. At the end of the season, before the winter becomes particularly harsh, you can take down your temporary duck blind and store it inside until the next hunting season.
  • If you are on a trip: Those who are truly dedicated to the craft of fowl hunting may travel long distances to find prime spots to hunt. If your search for the best duck hunting locations carries you to another state or region, a temporary blind can be broken down, packed up and taken with you. Once you have perfected the art of building a temporary blind, you will be able to set up your blind quickly anywhere you travel.
  • If you want an affordable but effective option: Investing in a permanent duck blind can be costly, requiring more materials and sturdier construction to weather the winter months. Temporary blinds can offer a more cost-efficient option for those who want to take their duck hunting to the next level without breaking the bank.

2. When to Build a Permanent Duck Blind

  • If you have found the perfect hunting spot: You have waded through the marshes and searched widely for the perfect duck hunting hole. Once you locate a great spot, you may want to hunt there with a temporary blind first to observe how the environment may change during the season. If your spot maintains a steady duck supply and good condition, it may be time to commit to a permanent duck blind so you can return again every year.
  • If you want something more comfortable: Building a permanent duck blind can allow you to deck it out with comfortable features, like a bench, shelves, heaters or a stove. With a solid floor and comfy cushions, you will want to stay in your blind all season.
  • If you own the land: If you are lucky enough to own the land you hunt on, it is worth the investment to construct a permanent duck blind. You will thank yourself when you can return to your comfortable blind year after year.

Duck Blind Building Materials

Duck Blind Building Materials

Whether you choose to build a temporary duck blind or a permanent structure, you want to choose quality materials that are going to survive the season and provide effective cover. While the best materials will differ depending on the type of blind you want to build, there are a few things to keep in mind when selecting materials for your temporary or permanent duck blind:

  • Use natural materials: Selecting natural materials that resemble the coloring of the environment will help your duck blind blend in and prevent ducks from spotting you.
  • Think about stability: Even if you are only constructing a temporary blind for the day, you do not want it to fall over from the wind or sink into the mud. Choose sturdy materials that can survive the season or be used again on your next hunting trip.
  • Consider transportation options: Depending on the location of your blind, it may be difficult to access while carrying or hauling hefty materials. Consider how you will transport the materials to your site and opt for lightweight materials if you plan to move your blind frequently.
  • Think big — or small: Let the size of your hunting party determine how big you build your blind. You want to construct a blind large enough for your entire party and your retrievers to fit comfortably. The size of your blind will also influence which materials work best for your blind.

Installing a Permanent Duck Blind on your Property

When building the structure of your duck blind, you will need to select sturdy posts to form the foundation and frame. Depending on the size of your blind, you will want to select five or seven posts and four poles for the roof frame. Bamboo poles are light and durable, making them a perfect choice for building a temporary duck blind. Our full round bamboo poles are available in a wide variety of lengths and diameters, so you can select the right size for your posts. If you are constructing a permanent blind, it is extremely important that your posts be stable and ready to withstand bad weather. Depending on the weight your roof needs to bear, you may find that a lighter weight material such as reed fencing is preferred.

The walls of your blind should be protective from the elements and effective at concealing you from waterfowl. A wide variety of materials can be used to wrap your blind, including carpet, burlap or wire fencing. Our bamboo fencing can be a perfect option for walls for your duck blind as it is made of flexible construction but enforced with galvanized steel wires. Bamboo fencing can be rolled up for easy transportation and is available in varying sizes and lengths to suit your needs. Available in shades of natural, black (dark brown), burnt natural and caramel brown, you can select the bamboo fencing that will best blend into your hunting environment.

When finishing your blind with a roof, your primary concern is concealment from ducks. Thatch will provide a natural, textured look that allows your blind to blend in perfectly in the marsh or timber. Our Mexican thatch runner rolls allow easy installation across the cross-beam of your duck blind. For an even sturdier roof for your duck blind, consider using an African reed thatch. Thatch can also be used to improve the concealment of your blind by adhering it to the front or sides of your blind. Thatch will smooth out the sharp edges of your permanent or temporary blind, allowing it to blend into the environment.

Now that you have selected materials for your blind, you can select the right tools to get the job done. Below are some tools you may want to have handy when making a hunting blind:

Now that you have selected the materials for your blind and gathered your tools, you are ready to start building. Read on for instructions on how to build a duck hunting blind.

How to Build a DIY Duck Blind

Five Simple Steps for Building a Duck Blind

This duck blind plan will teach you how to build your own DIY duck blind. This temporary duck blind is simple to construct so you can put it up quickly in the morning before a hunt. We have also included tips for modifying this design for a permanent or semi-permanent duck blind.

1. Set your posts: Measure a rectangle on the ground in whatever size you want to construct your blind. Generally, 5 to 6 feet is perfect for the depth and 8 to 16 feet for the length depending on how many people and dogs will be inside. Drive your metal T-posts into the ground at each corner. Leave about four feet of the T-post above the ground. For a longer duck blind, you may want to use three posts on the front and back. Use the last post to create a space for your door, placing it about two feet behind the front corner of the blind. If you are constructing a permanent duck blind, you will want to opt for more stable posts, such as eucalyptus poles. When setting the posts into the ground, dig down about three to four inches down and fill the holes with cement for added stability.

2. Build the frame: On the inside of the T-posts, set your bamboo posts vertically and attach them with screw clamps. Use three or four clamps on each corner and tighten them with a screwdriver or drill. You will want the front of your blind to be higher than the back so you have ample view of the sky as ducks fly in to land. If your bamboo posts are too tall, you can cut them shorter with a handsaw. Attach four bamboo poles horizontally around the top of blind to create a frame for the roof as well as one across the middle running lengthwise. This will provide additional stability for your roof thatch. Screw the posts together with deck screws or use screw clamps. For a permanent duck blind, you may want to add additional vertical bamboo posts. For the roof frame, you should screw the bamboo poles directly into the vertical bamboo posts with a drill and framing screws.

3. Attach the fencing: Run your bamboo fencing around the perimeter of the T-posts and attach it at each corner with zip ties. If building an 8 foot by 5 foot blind, you will need three rolls of fencing. The height of the fencing will depend on how tall you choose to construct your duck blind. You can wrap the zip ties around the bamboo itself or connect it to the steel wires of the fencing. If you run out of fencing along one of the sides, you can attach the bamboo fencing to the next roll easily with zip ties.

4. Add the roof: Starting with the cross-beam in the middle, attach your thatch to the bamboo pole using zip ties. Attach a second roll of thatch to the front cross-beam to completely cover the roof of your duck blind to conceal you and your hunting team. Hop inside your blind and test it out, pointing your shotgun at different parts of the sky to see if it feels comfortable. You may want to leave the front portion of the roof uncovered for better visibility. If the roof of your blind feels too low, you can also dig out the ground so you can sit lower inside of your blind. For a permanent duck blind, you may want to add a layer of plywood under your thatching for additional protection from rain or weather. Thatching can then be stapled directly to the plywood.

5. Conceal your duck blind: The last step to building an awesome duck blind may also be the most important — concealment. Camouflage your duck blind by pushing mud up around the edges of the fencing so it appears to connect seamlessly to the ground. This will also provide insulation in the winter months. Additional thatch can also be used around the walls of your blind if you are building in an area with tall grasses. Be prepared to adjust your concealment methods if birds seem to recognize you. When concealing your blind, walk about it from every angle and consider how it may look to ducks flying above. While these methods effectively conceal your duck blind, they can also cause overexposure to the elements. Seal your bamboo materials using bamboo stain to keep your blind concealed and protected!

Duck Blind Building Instructions

10 Bonus Tips for Building the Ultimate Duck Blind

Now that you have mastered a basic duck blind, test out these tips to make it the best duck blind ever:

  • Give it a floor: When constructing a permanent duck blind, you will want to build an elevated floor to protect you from flooding. However, your temporary blind can also be improved with a makeshift floor made from plywood or matting so you do not have to stand in the mud all day. Matting on the floor of your blind can also insulate you from the cold earth.
  • Build a bench: If building a permanent blind, one important feature is having somewhere to sit. Consider building a basic bench for you and your hunting team and bring along padded cushions to sit on. At the end of the day, your body will thank you.
  • Bring a bucket: For a temporary blind where you may not be able to quickly construct a bench, bringing a bucket to sit on can be a perfect alternative. For an added bonus, you can also use your bucket to carry the materials for your blind to the site in the morning.
  • Hang your supplies: Something as simple as adding a few hooks or nails to hang your supplies can make a big difference. Screw hooks into your support poles for hanging binoculars, shell bags and other supplies so you can access them easily and always know where they are.
  • Stash your shotgun: Designate a place to store your shotgun when not in use. This can be a rack, crate or shelf where your gun is easily accessible but out of the way when you are taking a break from downing fowl.
  • Build a doggy door: Adding an easy entrance and exit point for your retriever can enable them to do their job even better. Consider creating a small swinging door or flap in the front of your blind so your dog can quickly retrieve fowl from the water.
  • Stay warm: Consider bringing a small heater to stay warm in your blind during the winter months, in addition to insulating your blind with mud or brush.
  • Don’t slip: Adding traction tape to the floor of your blind can allow you to move around in wet or muddy conditions without slipping. Sometimes you need to move quickly to get the perfect shot, and you don’t want to miss because of a slick floor.
  • Make it roomy: If you have found the perfect spot for your blind, there is no reason to skimp on comfort by building one that is too small to sit in comfortably. Build out your blind with enough space for you to take a break and enjoy a meal in the back of the blind.
  • Get creative with it: No rule says your blind needs to be a rectangular box. Be creative when adapting your blind to fit a particular duck hunting spot and add features based on your personal hunting preferences. The best duck blind will be one you are comfortable in that allows you to shoot your best shots to catch your fill of ducks this season.

Build the Best Duck Blind With Supplies From Forever Bamboo

Whether it be permanent or temporary, fancy or straightforward, your duck blind can help you have the best duck hunting season possible. Forever Bamboo can help you build an awesome duck blind with our natural and sturdy materials. Bamboo poles provide a strong foundation for your duck blind, while bamboo fencing allows it to blend into the environment. Your natural hunting blind will blend right in with a thatch roof. Forever Bamboo offers free shipping on many products, so order your materials now so you can build your duck blind in time for the start of hunting season. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.

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