Building a duck blind in the marsh


I hunt waterfowl in Wisconsin and the regulations allow a  blind to be built on public land no more than seven days prior to the opening of waterfowl season as long as you remove it within seven days after the season ends. Check the regulations for specifics. You must attach your name, address and DNR customer number to the blind. Here are simple materials to build a nice blind that is easy to install and remove. I find an area in the marsh that has some ground support and allows fairly easy walking access. I pile vegetation on where the blind will be built to prevent water from freezing to your wood base. You will thank me when you try and remove the blind in December. For a nice two to three person blind I cut a 4×8 sheet of half inch plywood in half. Its much easier to haul into the marsh in  this size. I take a drill bit hole saw 2 and 1/4 inch size and drill four holes in the corners of the plywood. In addition I drill two more holes in the plywood along the back of the blind for poles that will support a roof. Here’s a tip. Use a hole saw bit deep enough to make it easy to extract the wood plugs. If you have ever used a hole saw you know what I am talking about. I take three 2x6x4 ft pressure treated pieces lay them on the vegetation and attach the plywood sheets to them with wood screws (don’t forget your electric drill). I than bring 6 2x2x8 ft pressure treated poles painted camo and slide them through the holes into the marsh ground. Having the poles go through holes in the plywood keeps the blind from moving around and the poles can easily be taken out when your day of hunting is done to prevent them from freezing. Poles along the back of the blind can help support a roof that you can use your imagination to make. I use a sheet of camo burlap covered with natural vegetation and twine to make my roof. For  concealment, I use chicken wire and attach it to the blind using long tie wraps at the holes. You can also use landscape netting which can be found at any home depot. Chicken wire is nice because you can easily slide vegetation into the slots to camouflage the blind and its very light to carry. Make sure the chicken wire runs on top of the plywood and does not hang off the side into the water. Trying to remove the chicken wire frozen into the marsh in December is impossible.The roof should cover the back half of your blind allowing you to stay hidden on circling birds until you’re ready to “take um”.  I haul everything out in a two wheel decoy dolly available at Cabelas or any similar store. Get the big one with big wheels. Taking the blind out is easy. Just remove the wood screws, cut the tie wraps (do not pollute the marsh) and haul the pieces out the same way you brought them in. The chicken wire rolls up into a nice ball and is very light. Here is a list of tools and materials you will need.

2 4×4 sheets of 1/2 inch plywood

3 2x6x4 ft pressure treated wood sections

6 2×2 x8 ft pressure treated poles painted camo.

chicken wire or landscape netting

long tie wraps black or green in color (bring a snips to cut the tie wraps)

wood screws 2 inch

Portable drill and drill bit for wood screws

dill bit hole saw 2 and 1/4 size and deep

Knife to cut vegetation

Remember in Wisconsin you must put your name, address and customer number on the blind in letters at least one inch size. I use a small piece of plywood a permanent marker and tie wraps to attach it to the blind.