Cover your layout blind with a coat of mud and stubble for concealment.

Mudding is a technique used by expert waterfowl hunters to break in a layout blind and make it easier to hide in the field, especially dirt fields with very little foliage.

Out of the box, a layout blind won’t provide the level of concealment that you need. In order to blend in with your surroundings—whether that means stubble, corn stalks, or plain dirt—you need to apply natural camouflage to the blind, using mud and/or vegetation.

Get Rid of the Shine

The first thing to get rid of is unnatural shine from the blind material. Any material that flashes in the sun can makes birds shy away from your blind. American Hunter recommends roughing up the fabric with a wire brush to break up some of the shine and to make it easier for the mud to stick to the blind.

If you want to paint your blind a different color, now is the time to do it. Use an ultra-flat paint to eliminate any shine.

Mud It Up

The next step is to apply mud. Collect dirt from the fields where you hunt, or use dirt with similar color and properties to match the area in which you’ll be hunting. Mix this dirt with enough water to make a paste. Then use an old paintbrush or broom to apply the mud to the blind. Let the mud dry. Leave the layout blind outside for a few days; then slap it with another coat of mud for good measure. When the mud is completely dry, shake the blind gently to remove any loose dirt and to keep the dirt from falling into your eyes while you’re hunting.

Add some stubble and vegetation to your conceal your blind in the field, and you’re ready to go!