hunting out of a boat blind on the columbia (tri cities)

[syoungs]

Hi all,
 Ive never hunted out of a boat before, we some times use them as transportation, but never with a blind on. now that im a few years into duck hunting, and have a girlfriend and her kid that want to go, Im thinking a boat blind might be nice, then I start thinking of where I would use it, and how, and thats where I get lost.

Can one simply pull up into a patch of reeds, set up the blind and hunt, or are there specific areas you can use them only?
Is a boat with a blind a worthwhile investment, or would I be better off just sticking to my boat as transportation?

any pros and cons specific to the area? I can see myself using it more if I traveled to moses lake, just cant picture myself using it in the tri cities area, but then, maybe its because I have never used one, or seen them used down here.

 

[92xj]

For me, it's worth the expense to have the blind when it's needed.
I hunt 40% or more out of the boat and blind. 
There are plenty of areas around the TC to use one.
No specific areas you're allowed or not to use the blind.
You can simply pull up into a patch of reeds, set the blind, throw some dekes and start hunting.
Potholes is also very nice for the boat blind as well. 
Pros, many.  Cons, cant really think of any as long as you get a model that folds down and wraps out of the way.  I could see how some could kill the space in the boat while transporting.  Mine doesnt.  I leave it on all season, no matter if I am using it for transportation or hunting out of the boat with the blind. 
I have a wind blocker on mine which is awesome during the cold windy days.  We set the blind, brush it in, fire up the heaters and cookers and eat a good breakfast while staying warm and killing ducks, all in the boat. 
My opinion, worth it.

[eastsidemallard74]

Hi all,
 Ive never hunted out of a boat before, we some times use them as transportation, but never with a blind on. now that im a few years into duck hunting, and have a girlfriend and her kid that want to go, Im thinking a boat blind might be nice, then I start thinking of where I would use it, and how, and thats where I get lost.

Can one simply pull up into a patch of reeds, set up the blind and hunt, or are there specific areas you can use them only?
Is a boat with a blind a worthwhile investment, or would I be better off just sticking to my boat as transportation?

any pros and cons specific to the area? I can see myself using it more if I traveled to moses lake, just cant picture myself using it in the tri cities area, but then, maybe its because I have never used one, or seen them used down here.

 

We have a 19' with a detatchable blind, it's nice and convienant because it is used for fishing as well. As far as worth while, depends how much water hunting/fishing you do. We have personally slowed way down now that I love on the eastside. Do alot morw field hunting. And yes you can pull up in the reeds, we did it before we got the blinded boat,just make sure its concealed. If you lhunt alot of water and fish my answer would be yes, if it's just for hunting waterfowl I probably wouldn't spend alot of money on something to nice.

[JJD]

Depends on where you wish to hunt.
Hunting the Columbia can be tough as it's a big enough body of water where conditions can change in a hurry.
I hunt it in late season farther north in an 18 ft Roughneck with a blind and there have been several occasions where I sure wished I'd had a bigger V hull.  Ain't no duck worth die'in for.
One eye out for fowl, one eye on the weather.
Ya still have to scout and figure out what areas the ducks like.  If you just pitch your rig in an area that is not part of a regular duck pattern, ya might scratch out a few now and then, but ya won't have decent shoots with any consistency.

[syoungs]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I think this year im going to stick with my 14' this year and look into making a blind to get my feet wet, next year I think will be the year for a new boat, my boat budget this year is going to a tranny and injectors for my powerstroke 

[huntingfool7]

If you're going to build your own, you should checkout the archives at duckboats.net

Lots of good ideas and pics over there.

http://duckboats.net.nmsrv.com/readers.htm

[Red Beard]

Where along the Columbia can you hunt, in the Tri-Cities?

[syoungs]

Where along the Columbia can you hunt, in the Tri-Cities?

burbank for sure, only place ive really hunted in the tri cities, I also hunt on the snake river.

[tr122]

The back waters behind Penisula Unit in Burbank would be great for hunting from a boat.