What’s so great about Travelling Boat Blinds
What’s so great about Travelling Boat Blinds
As the old saying goes, “There’s more than one way to skin a cat!” In waterfowl hunting, dozens of methods, tactics and tools can be used to chase these well-traveled, illusive targets. From hiding in the weeds with waders and a dozen dekes to massive decoy spreads in front of blinds, nicer than my first apartment, the choices are many in HOW you hunt ducks and HOW MUCH you want to spend. One method that has grown in popularity is a boat blind and a solid boat blind that travels, can take your pursuit to a whole new level. Here are FOUR advantages to having a rigid, hard-sided blind.
MOBILITY
Not only are you able to set up in different spots at your local waterways, but anywhere that you’re willing to take a road trip. For years, waterfowl have migrated from North to South, following the same flyways as generations before. However, these movements can be affected by weather, food supply and water levels. Sometimes the conditions in our local areas are not good so plan a road trip. Public waterways are everywhere and accessible with minimal scouting. With a road-ready rig, you’ll be able to pick up and go where the ducks are!
CONVENIENCE
We all know… duck hunting is WORK! Early mornings, lots of gear to manage, chilly boat rides in the dark, setting and picking up decoys and finding a way to hide for starters. A hard-shell blind covered with brush and grass is ready to hunt when it hits the water, so check that OFF the list. It also serves as a wind and weather-resistant enclosure to keep your gear secure while traveling, meaning less time packing and stowing gear. You’ll get plenty of feedback about the frustrations of dealing with some “pop-up” style blinds with a little research.
COMFORT/SAFETY
Maybe you young guys out there revel in the face of adversity and pain to hunt ducks, but I didn’t have to get too old to figure out how nice it was to sit warm and inside my boat blind with a heater on. Duck hunting has always been a more social form of hunting-talking, cooking and even watching football in between flights of birds. Being comfortable is not a disadvantage if the blind provides enough concealment to do so. I would say our overall success increases when using a boat blind because we can stay out longer when others have gotten cold and called it quits. If you need to leave the blind for a better shooting position, it’s nice to return to your floating base for a warm-up or hot coffee. Used to Contain and protect driver and occupants if things get ugly, with a tough, water shedding enclosure.
CONCEALMENT
Without concealment and the ability to get birds within range, what’s the point? The two key features that I consider a MUST for any boat blind are…1) the ability to hold lots of natural-looking brush and grass, and 2) some form of overhead coverage to keep you hidden from those eyes in the sky. A rigid blind with a hard shell allows for all sorts of materials to blend into the area you’re hunting. For overhead concealment, our BUST’EM Blinds utilize the industry’s only GAS-ASSISTED shooting cover that opens ‘hands-free’ so you can focus on your shot. Our BUST’EM Covers have been a game-changer. Each hunter is in the shade of the cover, has good visibility and can get away with basic movement. The whole crew can have eyes on working birds, select their targets, plus enjoy the show. Nothing compares to having a few dozen birds, exquisitely painted in their Fall plumage, dropping right into the pocket for everyone to see.
Lance Ramsey
President
BUST’EM BOATWORKS, LLC
September 2024
