The foundation of every successful waterfowl hunt is a good hide. This can make or break any setup, no matter how many birds are around, resulting in farther shots and flaring birds. The off-season is the time to invest in new gear and get ready for the long season ahead. If you find yourself prioritizing a good hide and investing in a new blind, you’re off to a great start. But before you start grassing it in, it’s important to mud your blind. Mudding a blind is the process of dulling down the sheen of a new blind prior to grassing it. Here’s how we mud our blinds.
Mudding a Blind
All fabrics have a sheen to them, especially new ones. It can be hard to see with the naked eye, but not for wary ducks. The solution to this is to use natural materials, like mud, to cover and lessen the sheen. To start the process of mudding your blind, set up your layout or A-frame. Once you have it together, get a bucket of dirt and mix it with water. Ideally, you’ll want to mix it so that the mud is on the watery side but still workable with your hand. If it’s too thick, working with it will lead to an added hassle.
Once you have your mud and a pair of gloves, start liberally coating the outside of the blind with it. Pay close attention to the top and other areas that ducks will see first. After you’ve covered the blind with your mud, it’s time to wait. Let the mud sit until it dries out and hardens.
Finishing Touches
Once your blind is fully mudded and dried, it’s time to put the finishing touches on it before the season. Take a broom and dust off the dried mud. Some will stick to it, and the rest that comes off will leave the blind with a dull color. This is what you want: the natural dull color hides much better and helps prevent birds from flaring. With your blind fully mudded, you can now grass it in. The combination of a mudded blind and fresh grass will give you the best odds at decoying birds at your feet. While this process is simple and straightforward, we can’t tell you how important and often overlooked it is. This pre-season, if a new blind is on your gear wish list, take the time to mud it and you’ll reap the rewards come season.