ALPS OutdoorZ: The Finisher

By Brad Fenson

This content is brought to you by ALPS OutdoorZ as part of a Sponsored Content Program. Ducks Unlimited editorial staff played no role in the creation of this content.

The sun lit up the eastern horizon like a canvas painted in pastel colors. Well-defined hues of purple and orange made the fall landscape look and feel surreal. The silhouettes of ducks, creating a moving black cloud against the scenic backdrop, were awe-inspiring. Over 600 mallards were spinning through the sky, anxious to find their morning feed. As the fattened ducks closed the distance to our decoy spread, thundering wing beats sounded like a freight train closing in on us.

The flock winged directly over our blinds at 40 yards and made a wide swing to accommodate all the wings moving in unison. The flock moved like synchronized swimmers, moving fluently and in perfect symphony. The lead birds centered on our decoys and raced each other to see who could get on the ground first. Single birds broke rank, twisting and turning in the air like balloons with escaping air, sending them spiraling erratically through the sky. The flock stretched close to 100 hundred yards in width, and as they got closer, they started to push together in a tight group. It was a grand moment of commitment with thousands of wings back peddling for landing.

The morning excitement switched from ducks to hunters, who emerged from blinds to slowly and methodically target bright green heads. It was a magical moment any waterfowl enthusiast has dreamed about, and we soaked it in with gratitude.

The morning activities started much earlier, setting up decoys in the dark and stuffing each DU Layout Blind to make them look like part of the field. The blind design allows its fabric body to flare out on all sides and stake tight to the ground. The low profile eliminates sharp corners for a natural blend with the surroundings. The ducks did not have a clue the blinds were in the field, and being able to escape detection of over 1,200 eyes confirmed our setup was perfect.

Once the sun rose and lit up the field, the birds did not stop coming. The decoys and blinds continued to work until we had filled the limits and assembled for photos. The layout blinds were perfect for the conditions and provided an advantage for success.

Having options for blinds is a great consideration for consistent success. Being able to change and adapt strategies to stay hidden and have birds decoy close is the main reason most of us hunt. With a mixed-bag hunt for geese on our next hunt, the DU Alpha Blind was the perfect choice to build a decoy spread around.

Specklebellied and Canada geese in flocks of eight to 15 birds converged on our decoy spread. The early birds were like kamikaze pilots that winged into range with vigor and excitement. The birds were very vocal and appeared anxious to find breakfast, which lay swaths still waiting to be combined. With eight well-seasoned shooters hidden in two DU Alpha Blinds set up end to end, it didn’t take long to put birds on the ground. Shotguns roared, and excited hunters giggled with enthusiasm. Hiding a large group of hunters in the standup blinds was much easier than layouts.

Adult specks are beautiful birds with unique markings on their breast, as individual as a human fingerprint. The specks continued pouring into our decoy spread, with some snows and Canada geese. We had dark decoys out front and a mix of dark and white behind. Some geese committed early and flew so low we could have stood up and grabbed their legs as they flew past. It made for an exciting morning with non-stop action and close-finishing birds.

The biggest consideration on any waterfowl hunt is hiding hunters. The best decoys and strategies mean nothing if one of the hunters in your party sticks out and can be identified by cautious fowl.

The best part about the DU Layout Blind is the zero-gravity chair built into the frame. It keeps you off the ground and ensures comfort. The Alpha Blind covers the bases for novice and seasoned hunters, concealing from the front, back, and overhead. Hunters can sit and watch birds without the risk of flaring them. Having options means having the perfect hide for any hunt to share success with family and friends.

This content is brought to you by ALPS OutdoorZ as part of a Sponsored Content Program. Ducks Unlimited editorial staff played no role in the creation of this content.