The Association has provided duck blinds to our hunters for over three decades. Many lifetime relationships and business connections have developed over the years from Association hunters meeting each. One husband and wife couple met for the first time years ago in one of our duck blinds.
The blind above is typical of a permanent blind on one of our Missouri wetlands. The water level is controlled by a drop log structure which allows us to fluctuate the water levels. After the season, we either drain the entire wetland or release enough water to keep the oak trees alive so they can produce acorns. This blind has dry land next to it for an experienced retriever to sit and watch the birds. We furnish all hunters detailed maps of every wetland with the blinds numbered. Some can be found in the dark the first time, but we encourage scouting during daylight hours to become familiar with the lay of the land. Decoys are furnished by the hunter.
An example (right) of a detail map of one of our wetlands and duck blinds
Like all of our hunting, duck blind usage is controlled by our reservation system, just like seats or suites for an athletic event. Reservations can be made as soon as the day of the hunt or as far in advance as 30 days prior to the day of the hunt. Some of the blinds are easy to access while others are difficult. Four-wheelers are allowed to haul hunters and their gear to and from the duck blinds on all of our wetlands, but just like scouting, we recommend to become familiar with the terrain during daylight hours for safety purposes.
Before photo of a blind with a discharge pipe in front of the blind.
We are able to drain 90% of our managed wetlands if weather permits, but we rotate every year since water is mandatory to duck hunt our duck blinds. We own a 10” portable pump, but use it sparingly as a last resort since it is expensive and labor intense to operate. The wetland above has a dependable electric pump with an under ground 8” pipe that discharges in front of the blind. While pumping, this keeps open water when the water freezes.
Most waterfowl hunters prefer flooded corn, but it’s tough to grow in low lying fields and wetlands. The blind in the photo above was a year the field was planted to beans and flooded after the beans were harvested. This marsh is surrounded with irrigated corn fields, so corn as a food source is within 100 yards of the blind. This duck blind also has dry land next to it for a dog to sit.
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