Layout Blind | Short Reed Goose Calls

Tips for shooting from a layout blind

If you are not accustomed to hunting in a layout blind the first time can be a little difficult. Most hunters are very comfortable with shooting in a upright position. When shooting in an upright position everything is very comfortable: 1) your eyes are level on the horizon, 2) you can mount your gun as normal, and 3) you are usually very stable because you are sitting or standing. However, when shooting either snow geese or canada geese in large fields, a hunter needs to find a way to conceal themselves from the incomming geese. This is typically acccomplished by using a layout blind or sometimes called a coffin blind.

A Typical Layout Blind

Learning how to shoot first time a hunter steps into a layout blind can be quite intimidating. When shooting out of a layout blind everything is changed: 1) you are lying prone on your back, 2) you are in an enclosed area that limits both your movement and space, 3) your eyes are looking upwards not on the horizon making it difficult to judge height and space, and 4) you must sit up to shoot making a required extra step to hunt.

For most beginners using a coffin blind can be a big challenge. Not many are used to suddnly flipping open a hatch and sitting up to shoot. To become an effective hunter from a layout blind every hunter must remember a few key strategies that will make them much more successful in the long run.

Patience. Remember when geese start their final decent they are committed to land. This buys a hunter time when shooting from a layout blind. Many novice hunters jump up too soon and end up taking very long shots that are unnecessary.
Rise Slowly. Use your elbows to start your lift and use your stomach muscles to do the rest. The hatch will open automatically, so you need to keep your hands on the gun.
Take good shots. A panicked shot is a missed shot. Take a deep breath and shoot close range geese. These birds are tough and bringing them down can be difficult.
Shoot only when you are stable. Many new hunters try to shoot when they are lifting up. This is too many variables for most to handle. Get up, get stable, aim and relax and then pull the trigger.

If you use these tips, I am sure you will be able to shoot more geese this year. Using a layout blind can be a very effective way to conceal yourself in the field, just make sure you are comfortable shooting from the blind.