Ron.C
02-18-2013, 10:19 PM
My obsession began in December as I got a good taste of waterfowling. But most all of my hunts were in a salt marsh. I was able to get a few birds, but knew how I was going about it wasn't the best way. I was trying to camo my canoe in, but as the tide slipped out, I found myself on mudflats with no cover to speak of. And lets say, pulling may canoe/gear across the edge of mudflats wasn't what I would consider fun. But I'm stubborn so I did it anyway.
So I looked into layout blinds. But I really didn't want to spend a couple hundred bucks or more on something that would be ruined by saltwater, or leak and end up holding more water then it kept out. But I wanted an option of leaving my canoe further back where I had a creek channel and be able to load my gear into a sled that would not only load in the front of my canoe, but haul my gear across grass flats and convert to a waterPROOF, low profile layout
I modified some plans I found online and built a layout out of 1/8 " plywood/glass and some 3/4" wood strips I ripped. Its pretty much a 6 ft x 22" sled with 8" inch sides that tapers on the front to 18" and scoops upward same as a boat bow. Anyway, here it is. Weighs in at just over 15 pounds. sets up from sled to layout in 2 minutes. Two attached doors like commercial layouts. I routed on a gun holder on the center cross peice so my shotgun butt is on my chest and the barrel will poke out just to the leaft side so its not pointing at my toes. Only thing I have left to do is throw some mud on it and add some brush straps.
I think the only problem I'll have is staying awake in it! When does duck season open again:confused:
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/blind2.jpg
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/blind3.jpg
So I looked into layout blinds. But I really didn't want to spend a couple hundred bucks or more on something that would be ruined by saltwater, or leak and end up holding more water then it kept out. But I wanted an option of leaving my canoe further back where I had a creek channel and be able to load my gear into a sled that would not only load in the front of my canoe, but haul my gear across grass flats and convert to a waterPROOF, low profile layout
I modified some plans I found online and built a layout out of 1/8 " plywood/glass and some 3/4" wood strips I ripped. Its pretty much a 6 ft x 22" sled with 8" inch sides that tapers on the front to 18" and scoops upward same as a boat bow. Anyway, here it is. Weighs in at just over 15 pounds. sets up from sled to layout in 2 minutes. Two attached doors like commercial layouts. I routed on a gun holder on the center cross peice so my shotgun butt is on my chest and the barrel will poke out just to the leaft side so its not pointing at my toes. Only thing I have left to do is throw some mud on it and add some brush straps.
I think the only problem I'll have is staying awake in it! When does duck season open again:confused:
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/blind2.jpg
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/blind3.jpg