Hunting open fields with no cover...

[crow]

Been rolling ideas around for hunting wide open fields when ducks congregate where they are hard to hunt...probably nobody had that happen this year, though! What if you take sheets of the stuff that they make mirrors out of for schools...the unbreakable stuff...and made sides for the blind out of it. You'd need some netting over the top so you could see out but stay screened. Looking at it, the ducks would only see the reflections of the water/sticks/decoys around it, and not see a dark blob like a traditional cane/brush/boat blind. It would probably work best on cloudy days when there would not be a glare or shadow problem. It goes against the grain of traditional logic about nothing "shining" while hunting, but water shines and has a reflection, so why not match it for ultimate concealment. Seems it would create an effect of "see through" camoflage from a ducks viewpoint. Other than cost, what am I missing? Anybody ever tried it?

[Wildfowler]

Interesting idea. Kind of the the movie Predator. Let us know if it works.

[gator]

dang crow,
never thought of something like that...sounds like a good idea...i am still a little concerned w/ the shine but who knows...it may be just crazy enough to work!
[img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] justin

[WNE Driver]

Couple years ago they had a special on the Discovery Channel about millitary camo and its evolution. The next generation they said would actually use optical fiber to reflect bend light around the person wearing it. In essence, what was on the other side of the person would be displayed on the side facing you no matter what angle you looked at them. They used some special effects to simulate this similar to "Predator". Also, they showed something similar to what you mentioned. It was a camo that was made up intirely of mirrored 1/2" sequins. It reflected all of the surroundings and looked pretty good. The problem I saw trying to use it for duck hunting is that the ducks would end up seeing a reflection of the sky when above you. They would have to get down low before seeing the reflection of the brush/undergrowth.

[GulfCoast]

You need to check into a good layout blind or a pit! [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[Welldoggie]

...or a cloaking device

[crow]

WNE, ducks would be approaching from above and therefore see reflected what was below the blind (water)not the sky above. The only way the sky would be reflected would be if you put the mirrored surface on the roof or if the ducks were on the water close...hopefully I would prevent them getting that close on the water. The top would have to be some sort of netting or slide/flipback.

GC, right about the pit, except they ain't very portable! And the layout is great if the water is shallow enough so they don't float or founder with my fat butt in them. Also, you get me warm and horizontal and I'm probably going to be asleep, especially after several days of chasing ducks!

Just a thought to pass the time.

[mallardchaser]

SOUNDS PRETTY COOL TO ME..LET ME KNOW HOW IT LOOKS..WHERE CAN YOU GET THE MATERIALS YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT?

[Wingman]

I've got EXACTLY what you need, Mr. Crow. It's new for 2002, Delta Boys Invisibility Dust! A light dusting of this stuff, and you won't even be able to find your butt to scratch it. Look for it in stores next month.

Wingman

[crow]

I believe that stuff is illegal in MS and GA, Wingman! You start spraying your magic dust out of that cropduster of yours and it could get right interesting! How'd you do this year...bout like everyone else? Did your cornfield ever produce any ducks? First year since I started hunting (and, we won't go into how long that is!) that I didn't pop a cap. No huntable ducks when I was home and the late season was a wash when my paw-in-law had a stroke. Better days ahead, though!

[Wildfowler]

Hey Crow, just use those concave mirrors like they have in the fun house at the fair. You know, the ones that make you look fat. Those mirrors work because they are "bent" or something like that. I imagine this would pick up the reflection from the water very well. In fact, you could probably hire an engineering firm to specially design some super concave mirrors for your blind.

Just messing with ya!

[RedEyed Duck]

Crow,

That is very interesting. Find a way to market it and you might have the next roboduck on your hands.... You will have to let us know about the cost of a material such as you have mentioned and good luck during your research should you choose to persue this idea.

[crow]

Wildfowler, it would for sure make trouble with the women in the blind, though. they'd be looking at themselves saying stuff like, "Does this neopreme make my butt look big?" or trying to slip out of the blind to use the blind to put on makeup! And those boys that somebody had try to make a hunt with them (seems it was Torch, but can't remember)...you know, the ones a little light in the loafers...might be tempted to admire themselves a bit too much.