Abuse of Whatcom quality hunt blinds

[aaronoto]

I think he's talking about the layout blinds being a complete failure.

The QH sites are real hit or miss.  Sometimes it's a good shoot and other days you don't see anything flying.  I can't blame the department for that though, it all depends on what the birds are looking for and where they're flying.  I'm just thankful we've got the opportunity to hunt these spots.

[JJD]

Rhino,
Understand your concern and thanks for your help by picking up after others.  I know its a pain, but it will help us maintain the use of some areas.

EWU, understand your concerns.  I too have property, I used to let everyone hunt who asked permission. A couple of draws that held a good quantity of quail, were almost totally wiped out by some guys who pounded it daily, several years ago.  They thought they had permission because a friend of a friend had permission.  The owls and yotes pretty much finished off the few birds that were left.  I worked on the habitat and stopped the hunting (including myself) for the last 2 years.  The birds are beginning to come back.  Hope next year to have some limited hunting.  We will have to see how the birds survive the winter.
The habitat improvements were a lot of work and I hope it pays off.  In the future, there will be rules laid down.  Plus I have a couple of well hidden trail cams to monitor who's coming and going.  I catch the perpetrators in there again, I will prosecute them.  As well, I have told a couple of guys who have called to hunt that I will call them if and when the population rebounds, I have their phone numbers and will keep my word.
I have had fences cut, gates driven over and litter by the drum full.  But I know that it's a few slobs that ruin it for the rest.  I don't believe in punishing everyone for the deeds of a few.

[sakoshooter]

I have had fences cut, gates driven over and litter by the drum full.  But I know that it's a few slobs that ruin it for the rest.  I don't believe in punishing everyone for the deeds of a few.
[/quote]

Thanx for having this attitude. I've tried hard over the years to be the perfect 'guest' on private lands where I've been lucky enough to gain access but it's very hard. I've knocked on many, many doors only to be rejected because of previous bad guests. I hate that answer. If I only had the chance(thinking to myself), I could show the land owner how nice of a guy I am but most are stone solid in their opinions so I respect their answers.

[Odell]

Odell, why a "complete" failure. No guys getting birds there?

The 3ft high plywood layout blinds that are completely unbrushed and impossibly uncomfortable and have a 2x4 that hits you in the chest when you try to get out and shoot are a complete failure.

Some of the properties themselves seem to never have birds but I don't know what conditions they would need.

I have stepped foot in 6 different QH properties with existing blinds and only once have I felt that the blind was worthy. The rest of the time they are a clear liability.  But I have only been in these 6.

[ICEMAN]

Odell, why a "complete" failure. No guys getting birds there?

The 3ft high plywood layout blinds that are completely unbrushed and impossibly uncomfortable and have a 2x4 that hits you in the chest when you try to get out and shoot are a complete failure.

Some of the properties themselves seem to never have birds but I don't know what conditions they would need.

I have stepped foot in 6 different QH properties with existing blinds and only once have I felt that the blind was worthy. The rest of the time they are a clear liability.  But I have only been in these 6.

Are you allowed to spend a bit of time and dress them up a bit?

[Odell]

Odell, why a "complete" failure. No guys getting birds there?

The 3ft high plywood layout blinds that are completely unbrushed and impossibly uncomfortable and have a 2x4 that hits you in the chest when you try to get out and shoot are a complete failure.

Some of the properties themselves seem to never have birds but I don't know what conditions they would need.

I have stepped foot in 6 different QH properties with existing blinds and only once have I felt that the blind was worthy. The rest of the time they are a clear liability.  But I have only been in these 6.

Are you allowed to spend a bit of time and dress them up a bit?

I would assume that you could. It wouldn't do much to help the "layout" blinds but some of the others you can brush up. Thats what I did. But they are usually not in the best spot, or too tall, or too obvious and would need a TON of brush to make them worthwhile and then some joker would pull it all apart the next time.

[Skyhigh]

I would assume that you could. It wouldn't do much to help the "layout" blinds but some of the others you can brush up. Thats what I did. But they are usually not in the best spot, or too tall, or too obvious and would need a TON of brush to make them worthwhile and then some joker would pull it all apart the next time.

The 3ft high plywood layout blinds that are completely unbrushed and impossibly uncomfortable and have a 2x4 that hits you in the chest when you try to get out and shoot are a complete failure.

Some of the properties themselves seem to never have birds but I don't know what conditions they would need.

I have stepped foot in 6 different QH properties with existing blinds and only once have I felt that the blind was worthy. The rest of the time they are a clear liability.  But I have only been in these 6.

Talk about a negative nanny! almost reminds me of that rich spoiled kid in elementary school that would throw a fit when they didnt get their way!

[Odell]

Hey, Its just a fact. As I said earlier, I like the program and wish there was a way to help it improve.

IMO proper concealment is one of the most important factors in being able to decoy and kill ducks. Especially at sites that are hunted often. Its just a bummer that they build non functional or completely obvious blinds.

It would be the same amount of work to do it right, maybe a bit more.

I visited one quality site where the blind was built 5 yards in front of a great cover spot. Literally move the blind site back 5 yards and its invisible. But instead its right out in the open and completely obvious.

[full choke]

My experience with the QH fields is pretty minimal. I know in some fields they have the permanat upright blinds, and they seem ok for the most part. For the fields that require layouts why can't they just put a stake out there and then you have to set up with 50' or whatever of the the stake? In this day, just about everybody has a layout blind. Seems to be a no brainer. I know that myself personally- no way I am climbing into a wooden box that has been laying out in a field for three months...

[mjustice79]

Sounds like a good project for a Boy Scout Troop/Eagle Scout project or some youth hunting organization to take ownership of and fix 'em up.