Setting up blinds in the field

Ready to duck hunt with your new layout blind? Here are some tips for using your layout blind in the field.

Get It Dirty

This is one time where you DON’T want to keep your new toy shiny and clean. The first thing you should do after taking your layout blind out of the box is to coat it with a fresh layer of mud.

Mud is one of nature’s best camouflage tricks. Mudding up your blind covers up any shine that the fabric gives off, especially when the sun hits it.

Remember making mud pies as a kid? Then you know how to mud your blind. Just mix up a little mud pie, use a paint brush or a broom (with your wife’s permission) to spread it over the layout blind, and let it dry in the sun.

Shake off the excess mud when it’s dried. All you need is a thin layer to coat the fabric.

Blend It In

Most layout blinds come with stubble straps for extra camouflage. When you set up your blind in the field, take note of what’s around it. Is the vegetation sparse? Thick? Tall? Short?

Do what it takes to make your blind disappear into the field. In most cases, less is more. You don’t want to end up looking like a haystack in the middle of a barren field.

Use the stubble straps to add vegetation, but only use enough to match the general pattern of the field. In fact, if the field is mostly dirt, your layout blind might blend in better without any extra vegetation.

Layout Blind Sale

Get ready for the spring waterfowl season with a Lay ‘n Slay Hunting Blind from KillZone. The Lay ‘n Slay is now on sale for only $99.99 with free shipping to the lower 48 states.

Choose from a classic khaki that brushes in to match any environment or the Zero-Detect camouflage pattern. The rugged 900D poly and reinforced 1500D poly floor are designed to perform in the field season after season. The floor is woven with a layer of PVC for weather and water protection.

Brush in the layout blind to match your surroundings with the attached elastic stubble straps. The large screen, quick-release doors open easily with one touch, and the padded seat and headrest keep you comfortable during the wait. Flagging ports and interior storage are included.

Features:

• Large Screen Doors
• Padded Seat and Headrest
• Stubble Straps
• Quick Fold Design
• Detachable Shoulder Straps
• Interior Storage for Flags and Ammunition
• Lightweight Steel Frame
• Weight: 17 lbs.
• Folded: 47″ x 17″ x 8″
• Open: 86″ x 36″ x 20″

"For whatever reason, this all brown layout blind tends to blend in equally well in all different types of ground cover that I have encountered." - Christopher B.

The plain brown canvas on the original KillZone Layout Blind might not be as flashy as the new camo patterns now available on the market, but its universal color blends in with a wide variety of settings. So whether you’re hiding in corn stubble in the fall or near marshy reeds in the spring, you can easily brush in the blind to match your surroundings.

See what Christopher Bowling, a waterfowl hunter from Kansas, has to say about his KillZone layout blind:

From Christopher Bowling:

“I have owned this blind for two years now and mainly use it for goose hunting in Kansas. I have used it approximately 5-10 times per year, and I consider myself a novice hunter.

“With that being said, this layout blind has worked extremely well for me thus far. I have used it in the extreme cold (-20 below) to the moderate heat (60 above) and in just about every type of weather conditions. I have had zero problems with it thus far.

“I usually hunt with slightly more serious hunters who I would consider above novice level but not professionals. All of my friends that I hunt with have $300-400 layout blinds purchased at Cabelas or Bass Pro Shop. All of them tend to like my blind better than theirs, especially for the price.

“My biggest concern with the initial purchase of the blind was the lack of camo pattern on the blind. However, it has never been an issue. In fact, the blind tends to blend in better than camo layout blinds.

“I have found that it is usually very hard to match the different types of camo patterns on normal layout blinds to the exact environment I hunt in. Since we rarely hunt in the exact same spot, we have a variety of different brush around us.

“For whatever reason, this all brown layout blind tends to blend in equally well in all different types of ground cover that I have encountered. I always mix the local vegetation in with the blind and normally disappear very quickly or better than my friends.

“It is well constructed and has also kept me dry in very wet / muddy conditions. My only complaint is the lack of back support in the design during very long hours of hunting. However, I don’t know of anyone in any blind thus far who doesn’t have the same problem.

“Carries well when folded up and is a very good buy for someone trying to save money.

“I would definitely purchase another one in the future. Hope this helped.”

We hope so, too! Check out the KillZone layout blinds for more information.

Outdoor Life pigeon hunting with KillZone layout blinds (Photo by Andrew McKean)

What’s so great about pigeon hunting? Ask the folks at Soar No More, who are on a mission to change the hunter’s view of wingshooting and adventure. Soar No More was featured in an article by Outdoor Life magazine, where they demonstrated how a sport with no bag limits, no seasons, and little to no restrictions could trump the typical duck hunting outing.

Based in Idaho, this pigeon-hunting, wingshooting group of guys can bring down over 100 or 200 pigeons all in a day’s work—often getting two or three passes at the same flock of pigeons before they wise up.

The gunners hide behind cow decoys or in layout blinds (Outdoor Life loved the KillZone layouts that Soar No More uses) near a spread of pigeon decoys designed by Soar No More. And once the birds come in, the fun doesn’t stop until the ammunition runs out.

So why not give it a try? As Neal Hunt of Soar No More says, it’s just “one more way to put your KillZone layout blind to use in the off season.”

When our noses start to itch, we know someone’s been talking about us. A couple of waterfowl hunters from Georgia have been swapping opinions on our KillZone Layout Blind on the Georgia Outdoor News forum. Check out what they had to say:

Miller-Black: “I have been wanting a layout blind for awhile now and did not want to lay under burlap again and get soaked this year (although it was effective). I went ahead and bought a KillZone Layout… Just got it today in the mail. It seems to be a knock-off Finisher. I feel like the quality is ok but only time will tell. I will let you guys know how it does in a month from now. Here are the pics.”

Layout blind with carry straps

Layout blind unfolded

Layout blind set up

Even dogs like the KillZone Layout blind

Layout blind with doors closed

“Almost forgot the best one.”

Beer can holder

Another duck hunter on the forum replied, “I have one as well. I bought it brand new from the KillZone website… I have hunted geese in Georgia and hunted ducks in Arkansas with it and I love it. Easy to set up and I almost always go to sleep in it. I’m 6’8″ and I have no problem getting in and out. Also, the Finisher Neo tube will work great on this blind. For the money it is the best…I can almost buy 3 for what 1 Finisher cost.”

Duck hunting is a family tradition for Tom McCullough, one of the owners behind KillZone Hunting. In November 2011, his family met up in South Dakota for a duck hunt, using a mix of blinds, including some of our KillZone Lay ‘n Slay waterfowl blinds. The khaki material is perfect for hunting in a cornfield. See their duck hunting success in the slideshow below!

It’s a good idea to practice setting up your layout blind before your first time in the field with it. Once you get the hang of assembling the blind at home, setting up your waterfowl blind in the field will be a lot quicker and easier.

Before Setup:

1. Take your layout blind out of the box and packaging.
2. Undo the Velcro strap that holds the blind together.
3. Unfold the blind, including the foot bag and doors.

Unfold the blind and door flaps.

Assembling the End Frame:

1. Grab the upright bar and connect it to the side bar by pushing in the button and sliding the two pieces together until the button pops out of the placement hole.
2. Do the same thing on the other side of the blind.
3. The back of the layout blind should be standing upright.

Assemble the end frame.

Attaching the Headrest:

1. There are two holes for the headrest piece. Set the headrest bars inside the holes.
2. Push in the buttons on the headrest and push the headrest piece down until it locks in place.

Attach the headrest.

Assembling the Middle Frame:

1. Next, assemble the middle of the frame.
2. Connect the upper and lower adjustable tubes by pushing in the button and sliding the two pieces together until the button pops out of the placement hole.
3. Do the same thing on the other side of the blind, making sure that the button pops out of the same placement hole as the other set of adjustable frame tubes. You may need to try a couple of different holes before finding your comfort level.

Assemble the middle frame.

Installing the Backrest:

1. Grab your 2 straps with the buckles and drop them right behind the headrest.
2. Attach the Velcro on the backrest to the Velcro on the inside of the blind.
3. Next, grab the strap at the foot end of the backrest. Pull the strap around the bottom rail of the frame, pull it back underneath the seat, and connect the buckle to the strap at the head end of the backrest. As you pull the strap back, the seat will lift.
4. Connect the other strap and buckles on the other side of the backrest.
5. Tighten the two seat straps to stabilize the backrest. As you push down on the seat, the blind will pop up. Now your layout blind is ready to use!

Assemble the backrest.

Practice using your layout blind before the hunt.

Shooting from a layout blind requires practice. Even the best shooters from a standing or sitting position can struggle with consistency when it comes to shooting from a layout blind.

Shooting from a reclining position in a confined space, with your eyes on the sky rather than the horizon, is a challenge for first-time layout blind users. Getting a decent shot now requires sitting up and stabilizing your body and your gun before you shoot. Here are a few tips for learning to shoot consistently in a layout blind.

• Practice before the hunt. Since even the most experienced shooters can’t expect dead-on shots their first time in a layout blind, it helps to simulate the experience beforehand.
• Be patient. There’s no need to take a long shot. Wait until the birds get within a comfortable range. Once they begin their final descent, the birds are committed to land.
• Get up slowly. You have more time than you think. Use your elbows and your abs to help you sit up. Most layout blind doors are spring-loaded and open automatically at the touch of your head or shoulders, which lets you keep your hands on the gun.
• Stabilize yourself and your gun before shooting. Don’t try to shoot while sitting up. Your shots will be a lot more accurate if you take an extra second or two to steady your aim first.

"All my hunting partners have Finishers, but they are impressed with my blind, as it is just as good but less than half the price." - Craig

The KillZone layout blind combines function, comfort, and value for the waterfowl hunter. The best way to get to know our products is to hear what other hunters have to say about them. Take a look at these reviews from KillZone customers on the Lay ‘n Slay hunting blind.

Lay ‘n Slay Hunting Blind Reviews

“This is a great blind for the price. All my hunting partners have Finishers, but they are impressed with my blind, as it is just as good but less than half the price. I’m 6’3″ and have plenty of room to spare in this blind.

I figured out that the headrest bar is easier to operate if you put it on backwards so the push buttons don’t hold it in place. This way you can simply pull it out versus trying to push the two buttons in enough to allow you to pull it out. The screen to look out is much larger than a Finisher. There are pro’s and con’s with this. It tends to shine a little; this can be fixed by spraying a light amount of paint on about half of it. It can be “camoed in” with corn stubble or tall grass, but it takes longer to conceal this area of the blind than the rest of it.

The front of the frame won’t hold itself up unless you are lying in the blind. This is probably caused by me putting so much corn stubble on it to conceal the blind that it is weighing it down.”
- Craig

“Saw my first KillZone blind up front and personal. Great blind! I would have to say it’s just like the Migrator. Same material as most blinds. But what I liked about it was the bottom of the blind seemed more durable! The only thing that bothered me was the small holes in the face cover of the blind. Not bad but didn’t feel like I could get a clear view of the outside. Ranking, between 1-10, I would have to give it an 8+. And for the price, well worth it and they will go fast!!”
- JBird (posted on the Mack’s Prairie Wings forum)

“This is a great blind. It sets up in about 5 minutes, is very lightweight, and [has a] waterproof bottom. Easy to camo, and easy to pop open for a shot. I hunted out of it the day after I got it, and it was great. I am gonna get another one for my son.”
- Takeem

“This item is great! Exactly as described, and arrived within 3 days! I was able to hunt from the blind by Sunday. I ordered it on Wednesday!”
- Bill F.

Thanks to Soar No More for this unsolicited video of our KillZone Lay ‘n Slay layout blinds. Soar No More specializes in pigeon decoys and pigeon hunting products. Neal Hunt, President and CEO of Soar No More Wingshooting Co, said, “We have been very pleased as a company, as well as our pro staffers, about your remarkable layout blinds. We’ve been promoting them for a while now and our few customers that have gotten them also, have been very pleased too.”