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8x56mn
.300 member


Reged: 26/02/04
Posts: 149
Loc: Wine Country, Finger Lakes Wa...
Goose blinds
      #50589 - 23/02/06 04:22 AM

OK it's a little different, but was hoping someone could help. I'm seeking some advice. I'm an avid goose hunter, have been all my life and I am 58 years young.
I use a Final Approach blind now and it works OK in some conditions. I can hide my dog and myself and when the geese are willing, things work out great. Now understand that conditions have to be right for the blind to not flare the smarter birds and you really have to have the right cover to blend into and not project shadows and stick out to much.

My question to you all is, have any of you ever used or know of anyone , who has used the giant goose shell blinds. Now I know they look a little ridiculous, but from what I have heard from some that have knowledge say they work OK.

I like the principle of not needing to hide the blind or blend in because you are totally concealed and the birds just come on in. I have been told that the birds equate size with distance, meaning the bigger the bird appears the closure they believe they are and actually start their glide path early. You can lay down inside them, your dog can be in there with you and your out of the wind and inclement weather.

So what can anyone tell me, or have an opinion please could use some help.

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mikeh416Rigby
.450 member


Reged: 24/02/03
Posts: 6051
Loc: The beautiful Oley Valley, PA....
Re: Goose blinds [Re: 8x56mn]
      #50848 - 25/02/06 12:46 PM

I've used them down on Maryland's Eastern Shore with decent results.

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NCSHOOTER
.224 member


Reged: 23/02/06
Posts: 7
Re: Goose blinds [Re: 8x56mn]
      #51178 - 02/03/06 02:51 PM

used 2 in sask for several years. at 58 you might have some issues with position as interior calls for mostly kneeling, as a alternative we used cinder blocks (4) to get the whole bird off the ground and use a stool to sit on. Also using a call is muted. I am 56 and in my experience the low profile like you are using now are the ticket. The more comfortable the blind, makes it harder to score. Permanent pits and hedgerows are my favorite for comfort, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in its day was a great setup. Stick with the low profile you are using and really learn to use a Goose call and take advantage of the mobility of the blind you are using now.Good calling and good shooting will add more to the bag.

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8x56mn
.300 member


Reged: 26/02/04
Posts: 149
Loc: Wine Country, Finger Lakes Wa...
Re: Goose blinds [Re: NCSHOOTER]
      #51219 - 03/03/06 02:16 AM

Ah finally someone who has had some experience with them. Mike I was told that you could lay down and stretch out, but I was a little skeptical about that. The one that I'm looking at is made by Lock Stock and barrel. He shows pictures of people sitting in them. Are these the same I wonder. The dimensions are 72" x 42" wide and the head comes off for shipping.
I really like the concept of them, the problem with the portable is concealment. Their great when you have cover to hide them, but in a bare field they stick out to much. hedge rows never work here, birds shy from them. So I figured with these you don't need to hide them, but I sure don't want to been my knees all day. Did yours have Bombay doors to open to shoot?

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oupa
.300 member


Reged: 01/03/06
Posts: 127
Loc: Maryland,USA
Re: Goose blinds [Re: 8x56mn]
      #51530 - 05/03/06 12:40 PM

Been watching the thread but as I have no personal experience with this type blind I can't comment - directly. I do have a bit of experience with geese though. As for the size, We used to use four to six foot silhouettes mixed with the regular blocks with good success. The birds didn't seem to notice but I do believe they could spot them farther out and it helped to pull flocks that would otherwise pass by. When laying out in the stubble I have hid between two of these large decoys with fair success. I agree that high vegetation is bad in goose hunting. They tend to stay well away from anything they can't see over, at least fifty yards. Pits are certainly the best cover and most comfortable. Today's hunting of resident birds requires mobility though. Those residents are tougher to fool as well. They're here year-round and seem to know every wrinkle in the landscape. A close friend (who's also a guide) uses the big flip-up decoys you hide the upper half of your body under with excellent results. A good closed cell foam pad to lay on and a back rest is a must though. Finally, I feel good camo is your best advantage no matter what else is used. Keep it simple and realistic. Natural vegetation is best but anything that MATCHES the immediate surroundings will be better than generic patterns.
Good luck!

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NCSHOOTER
.224 member


Reged: 23/02/06
Posts: 7
Re: Goose blinds [Re: 8x56mn]
      #51696 - 07/03/06 11:09 AM

must have lost a posting, I will try to be brief. The big bird decoys got to be too small for my partner and I over the years as we grew in size. also on the negative side , the action of the bombay doors opening flared the birds and presented more difficult shots. The final approach that you use now can be camoed up with vegetation or grasses from a flower shop woven and attached to match anybackground. I still believe that professional level calling and good shooting will make more difference than blinds. Good calling has made canada geese look for me in parking lots, backyards etc at least close enough for a clean shot and by the way the Hevi Shot from Remington is real close to lead. 10 years ago more or less some friends of mine who were commercial goose hunters in Maryland, moved their operations to the finger lakes area . Is that where you are hunting? They were using huge spreads of decoys,great callers, and flagging with great results. This was when the eastern shore was all but closed for geese . I have seen the results of great calling and especially mutiple good callers and you get to that level just like the locals give directions to Carnegie Hall, PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE. ROD

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